CURRENT MISSION

To travel much more... WORLD UNITY...

ABOUT ME

Slightly alternative... But just really *me* - I try to live life with respect. I'm open, non-judgemental, kind, compassionate and caring but also, sometimes, fiery and passionately fierce - or, is that fiercely passionate... about all things that matter to me!

PHILOSOPHY

Sharing... Caring... Friendship... Wisdom... Acceptance... Honesty... Joy... Harmony... Happiness - Leading to PEACE and UNITY...
I hope... ONE DAY - In my lifetime!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Willing to accommodate people whenever possible (but it's been less so, more recently, for a number of reasons) - Also, endeavour to promote this site wherever I can and have done so since 2006, whilst trying to be, both, a decent host and guest!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

1st time: Bangalore - Jan. 08 for 6/7 days with most wonderful hosts: Lavannya, Vivek + Meera and Pinka... Who offered a truly fab first C/S experience! - Great cultural reality... Then, the equally lovely Lloyd - a breeze to be with and hope to meet again sometime. I've hosted quite a few people since then: American(s), Polish, British, Australian, Italian, French, etc., which have all been positive experiences.

Since India, I've surfed in Thailand, Crete (Greece), Romania, Lebanon, Lithuania and Portugal - More very good experiences! - Also, surfing in various places with two of my kids in California whilst on a 5-week road trip...

Interests

Various - I absolutely love travelling and all that brings in terms of diversity, anthropological and cultural differences...

General interests include: photography, travel, human rights, creative writing, reading, playing scrabble, music, wine, cooking, socialising: dancing, festivals and eating out... I like the weekend papers, occasionally - i.e: Guardian and/or, Observer; Radio 4; animals, nature, flora and fauna - the countryside; the seasons; sunshine, warm weather and the sea - water generally, swimming, light-weight walking, etc.

Also committed to global development and humanitarian work. Independently, went out to Nepal two days after the earthquake (for two weeks) to provide medical aid and other relief - food distribution, etc. with grassroots organisations. I've many friends there and was driven to wanting to help with this disaster.

I've some interest in spiritual matters but am not at all religious. Whilst I respect peoples rights to religion, I don't want this pushing with me! - I guess I'm of pagan inclination and seek to live respectfully in relative harmony (with nature) - and with people whom are open and kind!

• animals
• writing
• books
• photography
• festivals
• dancing
• human rights
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• flying
• reading
• traveling
• eating out
• music
• surfing
• swimming
• religion

Music, Movies, and Books

Eclectic and VERY various, i.e. Punk - (The Sex Pistols, Stranglers, Clash, Stiff Little Fingers), Indie stuff, incl. the Cure and Primal Scream; early Pink Floyd and Jefferson Airplane; some Trance, Indian/Bhangra and Classical, also Nouvelle Vague, Edith Piaf, Bessie Smith, KD Lang... World Music, etc... I like going to festivals... Like to listen to various rhythm and DANCE!

Not a big watcher of the screen (I have not had TV channel access for over 27 years but my son has a big screen in his room & accesses films online, etc.). Generally, I `like' documentary type programmes - those covering serious issues or, gritty drama but no gratuitous violence, gore and sensationalism! - And no reality rubbish! - Have enjoyed a range of feature films over the years...

Enjoy reading but it sends me to sleep so I'm not a prolific reader, as such, but read constantly & have enjoyed many more than this: Half of a Yellow Sun; When God Was A Rabbit... I was reading more with my kindle - Novels set in Afghanistan, Myanmar and India, etc ~ Anything to take me away to other places, as dire as some of the situations described might be!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

1) Had my (3rd child) - a son at home with friends n' without medical interventions - i.e. the midwives didn't arrive in time! - Wonderful!

2) Worked in a circus many moons ago... An interesting and very different type of experience.

3) A helicopter trip over the beautiful Elan Valley - Was wild and I have a desire to learn to fly (one)...

4) Caring for my dying parents @ home: 2000 and 2008 - RIP Mum and Dad - It was a privilege!

5) Have been a `Living Book' in the `Human Library' @ WOMAD - from 2010 - 2019.

6) TRAVEL and PEOPLE - NO ONE THING because LIFE IN ITS' ENTIRETY can be TRULY AMAZING and FULFILLED!

Clearly, I can't follow instructions!

Teach, Learn, Share

Life... is learning...
Knowledge is Power...
Power can enable Positive Change...
Take risks and only then, will you know the outcome...
Seek and share - You will find... Be satisfied...
In Harmony...
In Unity...

What I Can Share with Hosts

Read my references!!

Countries I’ve Visited

Cambodia, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Guernsey, India, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

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