Back on Couchsurfing after a long absence!

I'm a library worker for a living, volunteer in community projects and a writer. Equally, I most enjoy learning new things, having fun, meeting friendly people, finding out about different places and stories.

Currently, I'm visiting Spain a lot - considering moving to the country at the end of the year.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Having fun, sharing different perspectives on the world and taking a keen interest in local cultures. I enjoy exploring the surroundings (urban or rural etc) with others and also enjoy going out and doing lively stuff (concerts, protests, parties - you name it!), and meeting friends (of guests and hosts).

I couchsurfed a few years ago from New York to San Francisco (down through the South, across and up through California), and had a great time - met some lovely people, learnt a lot about their locality and was helped out a lot along the way. I think we got along great and had some really interesting chats, crazy days out and fun nights out!

I did a similar kind of thing the next year in Holland and met some great people and made some good friends.

Interests

I enjoy spending time with friends, and meeting new people through shared interests :)

Strumming the guitar

Learning Spanish!

Watching films: from classic Hollywood, to new wave and contemporary European cinema.

Going out to music nights, or sometimes clubs

Reading up on lots of non-fiction stuff - from politics, to philosophy, to environmental issues.

Getting involved in community projects.

• writing
• singing
• concerts
• partying
• politics
• reading
• music
• live music
• guitar
• rock climbing
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Films I've enjoyed [needs updating!]: The Third Man (or anything with Orson Welles), The Naked City (or anything by Jules Dassin), plenty of Film Noir, plenty of Hitchcock (esp. Rear Window), Bourne films, New Hollywood stuff: The Passenger, The Candidate, Midnight Cowboy, Five Easy Pieces, McCabe and Mrs. Miller (and most things by Robert Altman), Network (and lots by Sidney Lumet), anything by Hal Ashby (eg. Being There!); Mr. Smith goes to Washington, Lola, Bulworth (or anything with Warren Beatty)

Music I like listening to:

Velvet Underground, Jonathan Richman, Charlie Parker, Iggy Pop, Toumani Diabate, Ballake Cissoko, Bassekou Kouyate, Mulatu Astatke, Paco Pena, Omar Portabales, Steve Reich, Chopin, Ravel, Debussy, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Dorham, Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush

I'm currently reading 'Homage to Catalonia' by George Orwell, 'Story' by Robert McKee

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

No time right now to narrow down to one! Organising a number of large community events which have had a real impact.

Travels [needs updating!]: Cuba - street music in Havana, trekking in Vinales; Cedar forests in Morocco and music festivals in Fez and Essaouira; living in Paris for a year was could be called amazing...climbing a small mountain in the alps... Naples ...Lake Geneva...deserted mediterranean beach near Sete in the south of France... South Street carnival in Philadelphia... live music in Nashville and Austin... the border of El Paso and Juarez 10pm on the hill with the lightning storm over the city lights... fireworks on the beach at San Diego 4th July... Yosemite... San Francisco.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Can play a bit of guitar or teach you some things (I used to play semi-professionally).

Enjoy discussing any interests and sharing stories - from life, to art and culture, to travels.

I can cook!

Always enjoy going out and having a good time... Strutting some dance moves ;)

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Cuba, France, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Netherlands, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Germany, United Kingdom