CURRENT MISSION

I will be in Shanghai (July, 2016) and in Beijing (August, 2016), so I am looking for meet some locals, have a chat over a cup of tea, speaking in chinese (we can do a language exchange, French or English - Chinese) and just find for people who want to explore city with me.

ABOUT ME

My name is Damien and I am a 24 years old french guy, living in Provence... you know lavenders, olive oil, Cézanne (painter), honey, sunshine blah-blah etc.
The Frenchman in a beret with a baguette under his arm is a cliché, I am a new kind of french people... I guess !
I am studying chinese language at university since three years, next september I will study chinese literature (classical, modern, contemporary) and literary translation.

PHILOSOPHY

As far as I am concerned, education and knowledge are a sweet liquor. This is mere titillation. Pleasure seeking. I find it easy to get drunk on words... So easy that, to tell you the truth, I am seldom perfectly sober.

“The more I read, the more I meditate; and the more I acquire, the more I am enabled to affirm that I know nothing.”
― Voltaire

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am totally up for help people in Provence, show them you good places, chat over a drink, tea or coffee. I guess I am kind, reliable and honest.
I have a thing for History or culture, so I have always interesting anecdotes or stories to share about my city, region or France.
I am also looking for genuine, long-term friendship and I want to meet new people.

I have visited China (twice), Vietnam, Thaïland, India, Cyprus, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, United Kingdom (London) and so on.
I think I am friendly, open-minded, attentive to others and my interests include all cultures and all kind of people.

Interests

I have a thing for Literature (classical or contemporary), Art, exhibitions. In my mind the best evening is drinking some wine and reading a good book.
Although I enjoy a cup of coffee, I am a true tea addict.

- reading chinese and translating books
- cooking French dishes (hello I'm a good chief !)
- drinking beer, wine, talking about nice things and funny stuff.
- waiting at airport and be astonished by aeronautic and aircrafts.

I cherish Art and literature in all their aspects. I am always looking for new exhibitions, visiting monuments, museums. I do love watching good TV series and playing video games.

• arts
• culture
• writing
• books
• literature
• architecture
• photography
• drinking
• pub crawls
• flying
• movies
• video games
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• drawing
• tennis
• golf
• history
• religion
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite Movies:
The Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Geisha, Pirate of Caribbean, Love Actually, Unknown, Taken, Star Wars, Curse of the Golden Flower (满城尽带黄金甲), Kora (转山), l'Amour n'est pas aveugle (失恋33天), Le Règne des Assassins (剑雨), Sous l'Aubépine (山楂树之恋) etc.

Favorite TV Shows:
Game of Thrones, Supernatural, How I Met Your Mother, Doctor House, Battlestar Galactica, The Big Bang Theory, Rome, Scrubs etc.

Favorite Books:
Now I'm into Chinese literature according to my study but have eclectic tastes.

- Au bord de l'eau, Water Margin 水滸傳.
- Fleur en fiole d'or, The Plum in the Golden Vase, 金瓶梅.
- Chronique indiscrète des mandarins, The Scholars 儒林外史.
- Contes de la dynastie des Tang, Classical Tales of the Tang Dynasty 传奇 - 唐朝.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm looking for Asian (Chinese, etc.), US, European- Scandinavian people for develop my knowledge.

I can share with you French language and my own culture, behaviours about my country, its always a pleasure.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, China, Cyprus, Germany, India, Italy, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

France