My name is Tom, I'm from Leipzig, Germany, home of Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix-Mendelssohn Bartholdy.

I'm currently based in Taipei and I'm looking at staying here for at least 2 years. I'm working for a German company dealing with Taiwanese ODM manufacturers.

On a typical Friday night I am...

I tend to be pretty focused and chill on Friday and work pretty late. I like my work and I like getting stuff done. Afterwards I might take a walk and/or watch a movie, relaxing before a more active hiking/exploring/outgoing Saturday.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I like helping out and meeting new people. I know my way around Taiwan with U-Bike, Bus and Train so while I might be much of a tourist guide, I definately can give some pointers.

You are very welcome to crash with me for your stay in Taipei area!

Interests

I like listening to classical music, going hiking whereever the sun shines and in Leipzig I've been singing in a choir for many years.

I'm a gamer reservist, meaning I'm not gaming a lot right now but I could be reactivated any time. Some recent favourites have been Binding of Isaac, Dark Souls and Space Pirate Trainer (Virtual Reality game).

I'm not a huge traveller but I have spent 6 weeks in the hinterlands of China a few years ago and I like to explore my surroundings with public transport and bicycle.

I've always been a bit of a computer nerd with a pragmatic approach, being reasonably well-versed in all PC eco-systems like Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android and Nintendo...

• singing
• computer science
• engineering
• science
• old movies

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite books, movies, shows, music, and food...

Georg Orwell's 1984 was the first book I ever read in its English original when I was 17 - it has left a long-lasting impression on me. Viktor Klemperer's "LTI" (Lingua Tertii Imperii) could be deemed it's non-fictional successor.

In terms of movies I have pretty much seen through most of the IMDB Top 100 for each decade from the 1920's until today. I usually see English movies with English subtitles - this helped me a great deal to grow my vocabulary. Bittorrent is a wonderful thing...

In terms of music I oscillate between Classical Music and British/Dutch/German Techno, especially along the lines of James Holden, Border Community, Extrawelt and all the talents that orbit around those names.

In terms of food: yes, I eat. I am human. If you prick me, do I not bleed? INSERT CAPTCHA HERE TO CONTINUE

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Seeing the gratitude in people that I have helped somehow, that I have shown something amazing, that I've taken a great picture of etc. is already one of the most amazing experiences.

Another one: lying on the ice of a glacier in a northwestern province of China, 5000m above sea levels, with no wind and absolutely no sound except my own hearbeat and the buzzing of the nerves in my ears... I will never forget. Climbing down afterwards with a lack of oxygen in the air and supporting my almost passed-out then-girlfriend back to safety...

My official hobby photography website is here: http://www.tomfichtner.com/

Teach, Learn, Share

I'll let you know when I feel like it. :)

What I Can Share with Hosts

All basic neccessities like WiFi, water, rice and rice cooker.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Taiwan