ABOUT ME
I am a freelance photographer, I write a bit and a struggling artist.
I lived in Syria until forced to leave because of war, I survived almost 3 years of the conflict before moving to Istanbul and then onto Bulgaria.
I am easy going and interested in the world around me.
Photography is my work and passion and is the excuse I use to live my life the way I do.
I have a website of my work:
https://wreford.photoshelter.com/
And a Blog:
https://johnwreford.wordpress.com/

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I own a house in Damascus Old City but currently I am hosting a family of Syrian refugees-
I have not used CS so actively in the past but now intending to be proactive although have met some wonderful people.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE
I have never been in a position to host although in the future of course I hope to, I have only been hosted a couple of times, for the most part I like meeting other CS's while am traveling to get an insight to the place I am visiting.

Interests

My interests are varied but somehow my photography and the Middle East seem to take up most of my time, I love to read and watch movies, sitting in the sun with a newspaper and a cup of coffee is the ideal way to start a day and a glass of wine to round it off.
I love crazy big cities like Cairo and Istanbul but equally I love the forest, sea and mountains.
I prefer a conversation to a party, am as comfortable with my own company as I am with a crowd.

• poetry
• photography
• wine
• coffee
• movies
• traveling
• blogging
• soccer
• teaching
• freelancing

Music, Movies, and Books

Books;
I love Graham Greene, Naguib Mahfouz, George Orwell.
Music is eclectic;
70s Punk, Tricky, Sleaford Mods, Slaves, Radiohead, Some Arabic such as Yasmine Hamdan and Lena Chamamyan, crazy Balkan Gypsy bands, a bit of Turkish pop like Erkin Koray and lately Peyk-am always open for new ideas.
So many movies but these spring to mind;
La Haine and The Third Man are favorites, currently going through a British movie phase which may be linked to living away from home for so long, films by Shane Meadows and Micheal Winterbottom and Mike Leigh for example.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

My work has allowed me the privilege of meeting some amazing people from prostitutes to presidents

Teach, Learn, Share

I want to learn, travel is a wonderful teacher and am happy to share my experience

What I Can Share with Hosts

For what its worth I offer my friendship.
As a photographer I am always happy to help with advice and guidance.
I probably have a few funny tales to tell too-

Countries I’ve Visited

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Morocco, Netherlands, Oman, Palestine, Serbia, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bulgaria, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey, United Kingdom