CURRENT MISSION

To boldly go where no Joey has gone before

ABOUT ME

Just decided it's high time to change this section as the previous version was woefully out of date. But I'd rather not spend too long rambling about myself. So I'll simply note that I've spent the last few years learning the skills of a professional tree hugger (otherwise known as a PhD in tropical ecology), and now I'm wondering what on earth to do with all those bits of flaky bark and moss that got stuck to my jumper. Or some such thing.

PHILOSOPHY

If you are not for yourself, then who will be for you?
If you are for yourself only, what are you?
If not now, when?

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Everyone I've stayed with has been so friendly and welcoming, it really is the perfect way to travel. How else would I have discovered the cheapest beer in Copenhagen, or met a guy that's married to a geisha? Now I've settled down in Leeds and started hosting, I'm even more in need of some travellers tales.

Interests

I love being outdoors, hiking, cycling, climbing, appreciating nature. And travelling is fantastic, it's so exciting to see different cultures, meet people and most importantly try all those gorgeous foods! I'm into politics, it's no good complaining about stuff unless you're prepared to actually do something about it! Not that I normally get very far... My other passions include tree climbing, swimming in the sea and playing the didgeridoo.

• dining
• cooking
• beer
• politics
• traveling
• socializing
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• rock climbing
• swimming
• ecology
• language exchange

Music, Movies, and Books

I often go for the lyrical guitar tunes but I like some heavier stuff too, nothing beats a bit of Led Zep! I love African music, it's so full of life and the rhythms just have to be danced to. Folk rock, reggae, klezmer, noise, if it's a good track I'll enjoy it whatever the genre.

Shantaram, The Hungry Tide, Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials, Winter in Madrid, anything by Ursula Le Guin, there's so many good books out there and not enough time to read them!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Stood at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and watched the sun rise over the plains below.

Had a stick thrown at me by an overprotective mother orang utan who thought I was getting too close.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm always keen for a bit of language exchange. Right now I want to keep practising Spanish and learn some basic Portuguese. If we go down to the woods I can search out the odd haul of wild food in the right season - and maybe even cook it up! And I would love to learn whatever skills you can teach :)

What I Can Share with Hosts

A comfortable place to sleep the night, a warm dinner, inside knowledge about the local area, and maybe share a beer or two.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bolivia, Cameroon, China, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Peru, Russian Federation, Taiwan, Tanzania

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom

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