Hi! I'm a student from South Africa, lover of people, in listening to their stories, joys, thought dreams. I'm studying to be a psychologist, and work in a bookstore during the year, but now I'm heading off, making my way across europe, with a small backpack and a tent, little money (but enough), with no real plan, but to see and read and learn as much as I can, with whatever help is offered at the hands of kind strangers. To find what struggles and joys lie beyond the polished bank floors and hardwood halls of power: the lives and poetry of the backstreets, alleys, fields, courtyards, fardown riverbanks, roofs of the world. What I'll do with the influences, I don't know.. but I'll listen.

Interests

Nature, hiking, cycling; religion, art, the open air! Psychology of all kinds and all people. It's my dream to have a small clinic helping those who need it. I really do believe that every person, at their soul, is good, and deserves not only to be heard , but to be listened too. Too many are being given neither. It seems we don't give enough time to stories these days. So many are not bad only hurt, wrecked by the world, to no fault of their own - so it's my dream to have a small clinic, to try and find good, amidst trauma, abandonment; homelessness, addiction; uncertainty, war, abuse. To help them see the good in themselves, and so to try return a sense of dignity and worth and joy to those from whom it has been robbed.
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As for this trip, I'm drawn specifically to Ireland, Portugal, Spain -- nations of depth, of feeling, of ancient lives, its cities hardest hit and still recovering from the economic collapse, as others march mechanically onward -- but I think there'll be beauty in the wake, the remnants of a much older connection, between the land and the people and their God, and that's what I'll try find.

• literature
• photography
• music
• folk music
• blues
• psychology
• religion
• visual arts
• travel

Music, Movies, and Books

Most things. Music mostly blues, folk, rock. Dylan, Velvet Underground, BJM, Iggy, the Smiths (all of em, Patti, Morrissey, Marr) -- really anyone with a good hairdo and a couple of jokes.

For books I really like the Russian and Irish revolutionary traditions, if one can call it that, deep, holy, and heavily laced with wit -- the angels and devils of Dostoevsky, Bulgakov, Bely; Joyce, and the more modern poets. Recently started reading Colm Tóibín, and Paul Durcan, I like what they do with old Jesus, and his teaboys too: "I'm the Kilfenora teaboy / and i'm not so very young / but though the land is going to pieces / i will not take up my gun; / i am happy making tea, / i make lots of it when I can, / and when i cant'--i just make do;
/ and i do a small bit of sheep farming on the side."

The south americans I'm saving till later, though, when I've seen a little bit more. Don't think I'm worthy to meet Borges' ghost just yet. Reassuring to know they are there though.

"I have not "met" God, I have not "read"
David Gascoyne, James Joyce, or Patrick Kavanagh
I believe in them.
Of the song of him with the world in his care
I am content to know the air.
(Paul Durcan again)

Also love comedy (Tommy Tiernan is what got me thinking about Ireland in the first place) -- Tim Minchen, Russell Brand, Alan Davies.
haven't seen that many films but again I like the Russians, Vertov; Linklater and of course Adam & Paul. The Motorcycle Diaries, Trainspotting.
most recent, Wim Wenders' "Lisbon Story," couldn't understand a word they were saying but beautiful.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A nice time! I love listening, and telling stories too, the simple pleasures: sharing walks, good bread, wine, conversation, the changing hues - gold, lightblue, salmon - overhead.

However, I'm just as happy going about independently, if that'd suit you better, I'm naturally quiet, with an open mind, not intimidated by a new city. Can make do with very little, and will gladly shower cold and sleep on the floor, so please, feel no responsibility at all.
Either way, I'll do the dishes though. (and, if you'll let me, walk your dog.)

Countries I’ve Visited

Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

South Africa, United States