Hellllllllllooooooo!

My name is Tom, I'm a 24-year-old backpacker from England currently 10 months into a bit of a travelling adventure.

I was living and working in London as a journalist prior to travelling. But decided on a whim (with the help of a few friends and beers) to quit my job and go out and see the world.

I was always a bit of a creature of habit but in the end the routine scared me and the allure of escaping to explore the world was too great. I loved my job but since being away I've caught a severe case of the travelling bug and am constantly planning more trips, more countries and more experiences.

So far on my current adventure I've visited the Philippines, India, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore and Malaysia. I'll be in South Korea for two weeks from 11-26 October, before a month in Sri Lanka and a few weeks in South Africa.

I'm toilet trained too! Ha. Though that probably doesn't make me stand out especially does it!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've been travelling for a long time now but I've decided it's time to meet the locals and experience more of the cultures that I've fallen in love with. I want to meet new friends from all over the world and I think this is an amazing way to do it. I was inspired by a few friends who have done it extensively and have loved it. I wouldn't change anything about the way I've travelled so far and have met so many wonderful locals and shared some unforgettable experiences with them. But I'd like more experienced like this. I want to experience places in a way that is only possible with locals, and one day I'd love to meet you and see the places you love. I think it's the purest way to travel.

Interests

I love exploring and seeing and experiencing new things and places and people. I think learning shouldn't stop when you leave school so I'm hoping couch surfing can help me learn more about the world.

That aside I love going out for a beer or coffee and spending time with people. I'm a big reader.

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm a bit of a book nerd and In between doing all the touristy, traveller, social things I can usually be found sat somewhere comfortable with a beer or a book.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Whilst in Cambodia I spent some time volunteering at a school for underprivileged children in a tiny, remote, rural village. I must confess most of the children were already far too advanced for my limited teaching skills but it was an incredible experience anyway!

Motorbiking in Vietnam was a highlight too. This is something a lot of people have done but I have a particularly graphic story I can tell. Perhaps not for the feint hearted though!

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm afraid there's probably no show-stopping thing I can teach except for sharing stories and conversation. I hope that's enough!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Experiences, hopefully!