My name is Tyler Durnion (Similar to Tyler Durden from Fightclub if you have seen it haha) and I'm a 23 year old male from Edinburgh, Scotland.

I've travelled extensively in the last two years and currently living in Lille, France as an English teacher. I met my girlfriend after picking grapes in Burgundy and came to France to be with her, be a teacher and learn the French language.

My trip in Asia was the first solo backpacking trip I'd ever done and I can say hands down it was one of the best things I've ever done. Before I was a bit of a hermit and spent my free time playing video games and hitting the gym. Now, getting out and having that experience has gave me the confidence to take on the world. I met a lot of great people and had the most profound experiences of my life and I'm sure there are more good times to come.

I really enjoy meeting new people and getting to taste the culture from a locals perspective, I believe it's the best way to experience a new place. I like a party just as much as the next guy but I also like my chill time, I believe there's more to life than getting drunk at every opportunity (I know, I don't really fit the Scottish stereotype). I'm very open minded and always eager to try new things and hear people's opinion of the world.

I don't really use social media so if you want to see what I'm up to I have a blog - lifeofti.net.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've stated it before but I really believe the best way to experience a place; to feel it, is to learn from a local. These are the people that live and breath the place and have done for years. What better way to get to know it? I always like to meet new people and hear their stories.

Interests

My interests include;

Music: I studied music for a while after school and absolutely love playing my guitar. I have a real interest in many kinds of music especially electronic dance music and rock.

Sport & Fitness: I could spend all day kicking a football/soccer ball and I used to play in amateur teams when I was younger. I also have a passion for weight lifting and have a keen interest in the science that goes behind healthy eating and bodybuilding. I'm also entertained by watching other sports like rugby, snooker, basketball, badminton, tennis.

Minimalism: I like the idea of living a life not ruled by my stuff. Thinking about the important things in life rather than worrying about what watch I'm going to buy next. I want to own a little and see the world rather than own the world and see little of it. I love the idea of owning a 'tiny' house when I decide to move out permanently.

Language: When I started my backpacking trip I never realised how much of a keen interest I have for learning language. My experience in Vietnam forced me to learn some of the language and I really really enjoyed it. I get a buzz from speaking to people in their native language and always try and learn a bit where ever I am travelling to, I am also currently trying to learn French for both necessity and enjoyment.

• meditation
• partying
• motorcycles
• video games
• traveling
• minimalism
• music
• guitar
• backpacking
• history
• languages
• sightseeing
• chilling
• china
• museums
• vietnam
• veganism
• asia
• alcohol
• weightlifting
• scotland

Music, Movies, and Books

Too much popular media to write down. Don't get me wrong I like a lot of Music, Movies and Books but I'm not one of those people to claim to like everything. I think that's a very false statement because you can't love everything, I am always open minded in that respect though and always keen to try something new.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

When I planned Asia I'd planned to just do Thailand for 2 months then head over to Sydney. One month in I decided to spontaneously jump over to Vietnam from Bangkok, without even much knowledge of the country. On the 2nd day I met an English guy who'd later transform my whole trip, he opened the door for an experience that would change my life. He talked about seeing Vietnam differently from the 'night-bus crew' and seeing the real heart of the country, the only way to do that? Drive the whole country with a motorbike.

Having never even ridden a motorbike before you could definitely say I was nervous, but I don't believe that word reflects the true nature of my emotions. I learned to ride a bike in Hanoi, one of the most populated motorbike/moped capitals of the world. You really have to visit the place to understand how many bikes there are; there's more bikes than people.

With only hours of experience we set off to the North of Vietnam, and only two days in, found ourselves stuck in a village with no available accommodation due to a local festival. Luckily a local family at a restaurant helped us and let us stay with their French speaking parents who refused to take payment for their generosity. Driving hours upon hours each day was taking it's toll but we had no idea of the valuable lessons it was teaching us.

Me and my English friend parted ways after circling back to Hanoi, I then drove most of the country on my own. Around about half way down I met a good friend and we rode together up the cold mountains to a place called Dalat. I then drove to my final destination in the country (Ho Chi Minh city) with a German guy, we saw two accidents that day and I was almost killed by a 'galloping' cow on the motorway. Inches from death you become more grateful for what you have and how lucky you are.

I know a lot of people scale Vietnam on a 2nd hand motorbike and claim it to be good and fun but everyone I meet, I tell them the story because to me, it was special. Vietnam is an absolutely beautiful country and the people contained within it mirror that, the most helpful, kind, friendly people I have ever met. They would do anything for you.

After riding to the south I decided to ride into Cambodia to meet my friend but with the weather being so bad (it almost caused me to crash) and the fatigue my body was suffering from all the driving I decided to stop and sell the bike in Phnom Phen. By far the most amazing thing I have done and I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to experience it.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm eager to learn from my hosts but I'm also happy to teach a bit of guitar and maybe learn some French (although my knowledge is still a bit basic, I'm getting there). If my host could speak French or was also learning that would be a big bonus! Also happy to talk about Scotland and the great place that I grew up in.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, England, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Scotland, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Scotland