General Information
| Greg Yu has been vouched for |
| VERIFIED MEMBER Name and Address Locked more info |
| Couch available | Yes |
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| CouchSurf requests replied to | 97% |
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| member since | February 28th, 2006 |
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| profile views | 17989 |
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| age | 36 |
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| gender | Male |
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| membername | GmU |
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| occupation | Works with homeless youth, saving the world one kid at a time. |
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| education | Life, man, life! |
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| grew up in | Urodzony w Krakowie. Ani Polak niż Kanadyjczyk. Polczyk? |
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| ethnicity | Ethnicity? Yes. He also has a black, black heart! |
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| Direct Profile URL |
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Languages- EnglishIntermediate
- PolishIntermediate
- SpanishBeginner
- FrenchBeginner
- GermanBeginner
Groups I Belong ToCouch Information
Couch Available: Yes
Preferred Gender: Any
Max Surfers Per Night: 27
Shared Sleeping Surface: No
Shared Room: DependsYes/No/See below...
The COUCH is OPEN
NOW until (FOREVER)
If you've read this far, you'll maybe want to use my name (Greg) in your CouchRequest. Feel free to refer to a personal detail, too; it will make all the difference. K? K!
Before, after, or while you're in the city, do know that you, too, can be a Calgary Couching Scenester: Start by clocking the Calgary Group. Membership is highly coveted, therefore limited, so get in there before some damn immigrant takes your spot!
* * * * * * * * * * *
 Fast Forward, Calgary's News and Entertainment Weekly, offers an abbreviated Winter Guide, in addition to its regular dose of goodnessness. It's published freely every Thursday; available for free. Ask the cool kids where to snag yourself a copy.
While you're "in" with the youngins, ask 'em where to u-pick an issue of the BeatRoute—also a free treat—highlighting Calgary's Indie Arts and Entertainment, monthly.
Couch Location
For Canadian travellers (or those in the know), I live in Calgary's next-best/worst version of Winnipeg's North End or Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Although "Forest Heights" sounds lovely, really, it isn't. It's a residential neighbourhood within walking distance to... more walking. No restaurants, no bookstores, no shops. No problem.
Aaah, Bridgeland: our current new home is situated in this fine, burgeoning, gentrified community of elderly Europeans and soyful hipsters. Sure, it's nice and all but daaamn do I ever miss the mischief!
Calgary, 1996 by K80
Couch Description
A... umm... friendly, though potentially psychotic... cat lives in the house, too—don't make any eye contact and you should be all right. I repeat: DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT (this IS NOT a joke). At least until he begins to attend his sessions with the pet psychologist (this IS a joke). [It seems The Cat's profile has been vapourised by The "Ambassadors" with Too Much Spare Time.]
There's lots of floorspace should the Couch strike you as too comfortable. And, given the flurry of Couching activity last summer, I may set up a bed/futon (buton?) in the spare room—in the basement, near the dungeon—where you will be free to stare at the smoke-stained walls and curse The Cat ["profile deleted" due to "problem with another member"]for incessantly scratching at the door. Don't worry about packing a sleeping bag or towels. Or toilet paper, I have toilet paper! But do remember to pack your toothbrush and do not use my razor—I shave my back with it. Every Sunday. Twice on Hallowe'en.
Couch Transportation
 Taxis in the city are expensive (airport to Couch is $30). Buses ($2.50) will get you downtown in 10 or 60 minutes; the LRT (also $2.50) is in a sorry state but may take you to where you want to go. Otherwise, I may be able to arrange a ride. Or a piggyback.
Couch Requests
Smoking kills, so I prefer you do it outside as my neighbour's an ass. While smoking, drape yourself over his fence for maximum effect but be sure to say, "Hello," as you are, no doubt, a polite and civilised Coucher on a CouchSurfing Mission upon this Great Big Ball of Dirt.
NO ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS. Please! (The Cat is a recovering drug addict. And alcoholic. I have a feeling, too, that he'd be gambling nightly at the casinos if he had any money. Or some fake ID.)
I do welcome your requests as well, as the rumour is that I can be quite accomodating and flexible if you catch me in the right mood. Just don't ask for anything right now. Right now I'm in a terrible mood! I'm looking for a fight. D'you wanna go? Eh? Do ya?! Hmm... this may be a good time for me to... just... breathe.... And read up on some CouchSurfing Tips. I can always use more tips.
Beyond the Couch
I work a lot so it's best if you have an itinerary of your own. Interesting sights and activities around the city will obviously depend on your tastes. However, Calgary was, indeed, the site of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games so you can luge the Olympic Park and skate the Olympic Oval. Then, once you visit the Glenbow Museum, you'll have plenty of time left in the day to drive to Canmore or Banff. Or maybe catch a two-hour flight to Vancouver—now that is where it's at! "Van, baby, Van!"
Many people will recommend that you come in July for the Stampede. These people may be delusional or drunk, or both: DO NOT TRUST THEM. Thank them politely (as they'll be drunk and you don't want to anger them) for their time and casually (as they'll be delusional and you don't want set them off) walk away before breaking into a sprint. Instead, wait a couple of weeks for the Folk Festival. You will love the Folk Fest—love it! For those of you who do not love it, I will offer you a stay on my couch. For free! (Toilet paper will be ten cents a sheet but don't worry, it'll be two-ply.) Or arrive earlier in June for Carifest, Canada's second-largest Caribbean festival, or later in August for GlobalFest. It's no Folklorama but, hey, Calgary is no Winnipeg!
 For all-season attractions, I would also recommend a visit to the Drop-In Centre for a tour of Alberta's "gift" to the homeless population. Or a visit to Mount Royal to see how the other "half" lives and to roll around on luscious, delicately manicured lawns. Just you try and find a Couch to surf in that neighbourhood... go ahead, I dare ya!
And then, of course, there is the Calgary Tower. Five hundred thousand—500,000!—visitors per year can't be wrong, can they? Can they?! I imagine most of them would also suggest a walk downtown to admire the "trees" on Stephen (8th) Avenue. Concrete and steel monstrosity at its finest!
Finally, did I mention the 1988—1988!—Winter Olympics? Yes, I know I did (just seeing if you were paying attention), but I will again: millions and millions of people all over the world enjoyed that incredible spectacle of seasonal athletics. At least four of them were black.
Friends (191)
 Marieluise Röttger
24, Female
Vienna, Vienna
Austria
Friends since February 2007
"it was such a cold day and we went out for a coffee"
Friendship Type: Best Friend
I vouched for Greg Yu
  30+ |
 Irene Peters
30, Female
Phoenix, Arizona
United States
Friends since May 2008
"there I was, barely out of bed, hugging this total stranger as if I'd known him forever"
Friendship Type: Close Friend
 30+ 30+  30+ |
 Jenelle Matson
26, Female
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Friends since February 2005
"I met this little pest when I made a bold move and decided to join the same work team as Greg. I absolutely love Greg’s honesty, charisma, open ears, sarcasm, and coffee breaks. Oh and I suppose he is a mediocre youth worker too!"
Friendship Type: Close Friend
|
 Kate L.
0, Female
San Antonio de Ibarra, Imbabura
Ecuador
Friends since July 2003
""Met on the job trying to salvage the damaged lives of child welfare kids - Was impressed with his style, his strong ethical convictions and his ability to build amazing rapport with even the most resistant kid. Couldn't have a better friend!""
Friendship Type: Close Friend
I vouched for Greg Yu
30+ 9 |
 CROQUE
47, Several people
Montreal, Quebec
Canada
Friends since May 2006
"Greg organized the first Calgary CS meeting."
Friendship Type: Good Friend
I vouched for Greg Yu
|
 Erinn Hale
31, Female
Seattle, Washington
United States
Friends since January 2007
"the man surfed my studio"
Friendship Type: Good Friend
I vouched for Greg Yu
1 3 |
 Renate Antolkovich
28, Female
Vienna, Vienna
Austria
Friends since August 2008
"will have to apply for a residential permit for him soon as he seems to stay forever ;-)"
Friendship Type: Good Friend
17 |
 Brad Cridland
25, Male
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
Friends since May 2006
"Met through CS. Greg has a wicked sense of humor, I love it."
Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
I vouched for Greg Yu
|
 Andrea Carrera
27, Female
Coapa, Distrito Federal
Mexico
Friends since 2006
"I met him in Mexico in Chapultepec"
|
 Cecilia Gonzalez
32, Female
La Paz, La Paz
Bolivia
Friends since October 2008
"Thinking he was from Asia!"
Friendship Type: Friend
I vouched for Greg Yu
| | 181 more friends |
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Personal Description
Read the rest of my profile, please. Do it. Do it now! I've buried a personal secret here and there among the inanity that is a web profile. After you finish reading, have a drink of water and fry some rye bread. Call your mom. Maybe take a nap. And don't forget to turn off the stove.
How I Participate in CS
There's this "CouchSurfing" thing I have going on, here and there. Get this: something about surfing and couches and something, something...
Now, how many bona fide CouchSurfing experiences do I need before I present a list without seeming a dork about it all? And should I divide it according to Couchers' heights, weights, or their volume or length of hair? (You know, just to give this list some heft.) Come on, people, a little help over here!
CouchSurfing Experience
Before CouchSurfing (before I joined the Union), there was couch-surfing (when I was freelancing), which was always—always, dammit!—strictly a glamorous experience but only due to addiction, irresponsibility, and poverty. Did I remember "stupidity"? Yeah, that one, too. Especially that one.
In addition to surfing couches, I've had the fortune to surf bathtubs, benches, floors, backyards, patios (thank you, kind souls, you all know who you are), and pavement and bus shelters (thank you, Mayor Susan Thompson of Winnipeg, 1992 to 1998). One day, if I'm lucky, I hope to surf a closet. I also hope that, one day, I'm senile and have the ignorantly blissful freedom to go to the toilet without removing my pants. But then again, don't we all? Don't we all?
InterestsTRAVEL Duh! A requirement of the CouchSurfing Terms of Use. It's in there somewhere, I'm sure....
EXPERIMENTAL TRAVEL Hiking K2 was the first experiment.
EARTH The Earth. You know, the planet.
FREECYCLING It's probably not what you think but there's likely a group in your city.
PHOTOGRAPHY If I can squeeze two decent shots out of a single roll, I'm a happy boy.
READING Recently, I've adopted a short attention span and can only manage (short) short stories. Sometimes I get through an entire one in one sitting.
SKIING Only in the spring. I'd like it more if it wasn't so damn cold! Or expensive. Or white.
DANCING Two minutes into a Goa trance, vocal trance—any trance, really—track and I'm sweating profusely, hooked for hours.
SWEATING Not exactly an "interest" but more of a "reflex".
SARCASM Apparently comes from late Greek for "tearing of the flesh". Too true, too true.
INTERESTING THINGS No doubt!
EATING I'd like to write "Cooking" instead but that would be a lie.
VEGETARIANISM Because I love animals. Please don't tell me that you do, too: "Mmm...animals." I've heard it before.
PICKING AT CUTICLES Mine or yours, I don't care. I just can't help myself!
POLITICAL DEBATE But only with drunks.
RELIGIOUS DEBATE But only with the Pope.
MY MOTORCYCLE It rarely fails to quiet the noise in my head.
HAIR METAL A guilty, nostalgic pleasure. I'm amazed that make-up and hairspray still find their way onto a club stage. And spandex, can't forget the spandex.
SPANDEX But only in my underwear, preferably in the single-digit percentile, rounding out the cotton.
NEW WAVE See "Hair Metal".
DEAD LANGUAGES I would like to learn one but then it wouldn't be a dead language, would it?
WATER If it's the ocean or bathtub, I'm there. Good for drinking, too, but not from the ocean nor bathtub.
SCUBA In Cuba. Well, at least that's the plan. Eventually....
HANG GLIDING Also on my "To Do" list. Introductory lessons are a three-day commitment so I gotta make sure I'm interest...huh? What was I writing about?
Philosophy
This heading used to read "personal philosophy". I liked that much better....
Music, Movies, Books Canadian content (Can-Con), as defined by the Government of Canada:
Simply put, it's about Canadian artists and Canadian stories having access to Canadian airwaves.So, in the spirit and duty of a decent, law-abiding Canadian, I offer you these gems of Canadiana:
Listen...
Now hear this!
The Be Good Tanyas Like, umm... the littlest birds singing...music to my ears.
Bent Outta Shape Chris Ladd, man! Are you out there?
Bif Naked I like her much better sober than drunk. Her sober, not me. Well, me, too. Maybe I'm just nostalgic; please forgive me if she no longer shreds the stage.
The Blue Meanies Not to be confused with the Blue Meanies, but The New Meanies. Confused?
Bill Bourne Mr Bill Bourne. Not only cool because he wears a top hat but because he has no need for shoes. (It's a MySpace link—sorry!)
Buck 65 Yes, he speaks like Pokey Jones from Highway 61
Crash Vegas "Red Earth" is truly one of those Desert Island albums. Look for it on LimeWire or plead a copy from a friendly, generous Canadian with a decent record collection.
 From Calgary. Yes, this Calgary. You've heard the stories, seen the videos, grooved to Broken Social Scene, and yet you did not know that she is from Calgary...
Great Lake Swimmers Can "folk" music "rock"? Yes, it can!
The Inbreds Drums and bass. Not drum and bass.
¡Viva Los Inbreds!
Terry Jacks Sure, he only had one song, but it was a gooder! And he's from Winnipeg, eh?
Justin Rutledge (and the Junction Forty) Sad, sad drinking music—even when you're sober.
King Cobb Steelie Canada's. Greatest. Band. Ever!
Mood Ruff Representing Peg City, I, too, do my own stunts.
Rheostatics Go see them play. Bring the kids. Leave the dog at home to watch reruns of Twitch City on television. Or DVD, if he can afford it.
 Speaking from experience, you will absolutely dance your ass off—right off!—when you see the skassault live. Notably, you would be very fortunate to see them live. Unfortunately, an ass replacement is expensive. And, I imagine, painful. So, take the pain, or pick up a CD and listen to it in the car.
Tegan and Sara Formerly Sara and Tegan.
The Tragically Hip This band, admittedly, is an afterthought as I've been pleading with them ever since 1994: "Stop, please stop. For the love of all that is loved, puhlease...just...stop!" Alas, my pleas have gone unanswered but those early 90s were gooders, weren't they?
The Watchmen Dammit! Where are they now?
The Weakerthans John K. Samson needs to bust out a CouchSurfing profile! Suggested username: Propagandhi-Nothin'!
Watch...
Most Recent Gooder, eh?
Read...
Margaret Atwood The Handmaid's Tale
David Bergen A Year of Lesser
Douglas Coupland Generation X / Shampoo Planet / Life After God et al.
Brian Fawcett Gender Wars: A Novel and Some Conversation About Sex and Gender
Margaret Gibson Sweet Poison
Tomson Highway Kiss of the Fur Queen
Thomas King One Good Story, That One / Coyotes Sing to the Moon
W.P. Kinsella Dance Me Outside / The Miss Hobbema Pageant / The Moccasin Telegraph et al. except for the baseball stuff
Brian Maracle Crazy Water: Native Voices on Addiction and Recovery
 Farley Mowat My Discovery of America
Hal Niedzviecki Concrete Forest
Lisa Priest Conspiracy of Silence
Monique Proulx Aurora Montrealis
Paul Quarrington Whale Music / The Life of Hope / Galveston
Josef Škvorecký The Cowards
Cordelia Strube Milton's Elements / Teaching Pigs to Sing
Michael Turner Kingsway / Hard Core Logo
Rudy Wiebe, Yvonne Johnson Stolen Life: The Journey of a Cree Woman
...This will have to remain a work in progress.
Please stay tuned...
All right, now take a break, man! Have a bite to eat, go for a bike ride, anything--this machine will rot your brain! What I meant to write is:
Please come back and visit soon.
I will milk the milk, if you cook the cookies...Teach, Learn, Share
English. I can teach you English.
Spanish. I needs to learn me some Spanish.
Cookies. We'll share frothy milk and delicious cookies.
Opinion on the CouchSurfing.org Project
Day 1
Well, so far, so cool. Immediately skeptical, I'm nevertheless intrigued that people can use the Web to share experience and hospitality instead of porn and music files. And, should I return from my first CS venture, I shall rave all the more.
Day 25
And, I have returned with my first CS experience...and now go back to work so I can earn some money for the next one. This site, along with some common sense, has allowed me to experience travel as I always knew it to be: fresh, exciting, comfortable (though not too comfortable), and comforting. Bless all those people for opening their homes, hearts, and experience to those who strive to do the same.
Day 72
It's interesting how I'm all for surfing someone else's couch but when someone requests to stay with me I get bent out of shape. With my first "Couch Request" a few weeks ago, I got a little annoyed, felt immediately inconvenienced, and sought plausible excuses that would not plague my conscience. Then I gave my head a shake, remembered how grateful I felt when someone accomodated me and remembered that I still feel grateful.
First off, my wannabe Coucher only gave me one month's notice prior to his intended arrival. However, he indulged me with some scanned identification, contact and reference information that spanned three generations of his family tree, and a lock of hair that would serve as a DNA sample should it be needed at a later time. He gave me plenty of time to install an alarm system and video surveillance, too. Some friends—suspicious of this site and its aims—insisted they be on drive-by alert should serious crimes occur during his stay.
But—as They say—seriously, a little common sense went a long way and I was able to help someone save that $30 per night at the hostel, and learn something in the process. Plus, I now have myself an "Add to my friends..." request to send. And maybe type up a Reference...
Day 395
More "opinion". Wait for it...
This can't be good. It just can't!
Locations TraveledTRAVELED: Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Kingdom, United States
LIVED: Austria, Canada, Poland
WANTS TO GO: Bolivia, Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Finland, Guatemala, Guyana, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Suriname, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela
IS GOING TO: United States
References
 From Andrew Matchett Liverpool, United Kingdom
Nov 3  Positive And so, the King-Couch-surfing-Canadian landed on the noble shores of Blighty, with a song in his step and a spring in his heart. With open arms/legs we embraced him, regaling ores of old and watching filthy stand up comedians. We dined like a King would if he lived on a council estate, the wine flowed from a shoe. And then alas he parted, I said PARTED, you and your filthy mind! Where was I, oh yes. And then he parted, to expede another adventure, to blaze another trail, to explore this epic planet, to open his mind to new cultures, discover lost horizons, head on to new frontiers, and go back to work on Monday.
We will meet again my friend, we will meet again.  From Tom Asten Bonn, Germany
Oct 13  Positive During Erik and my journey through Canada, we were fortunate to meet Greg. He hosted us in his house, even though, he wasn't there all the time. He has a really nice house with enough space and in walking distance from the city center. We went out one evening and had some good chat. From the brief contact I had with Greg I know he is a hospitable, open and talkative person, who I hope to meet again to get to know better.  From Dario Pedicini Naples, Italy
Oct 10 Positive Hosting Greg and his gf Irene was fun!
Greg is a very easygoing and a generous guy. We shared some remarkably insightful conversations. It was a great pleasure to have him here.
See you sometime! :)  From Dewi Agostini Rome, Italy
Sep 30 Positive I met him in a CS gathering in Rome, it was for a short time, but i had fun chatting with him, I wished I had more time and hang out.. see you in Canada.. :)  From Susana Fulgeri Providencia, Chile
Sep 5 Positive He ask me for a couch and his request was so funny!! asking me if my ferret was traveling!!! HILARIOUS!!!
Then we meet in Florence in front of the duomo for my "good bye" meeting... and he is fun and nice!
Sorry that I couldn't host you!  From Giacomo Biagini Lucca, Italy
Aug 23 Positive So much active, he’s a tornado, and he involves everyone else too! You could not find a better trip companion. Met in Sziget 2009, always available both for help and fun.  From Alex Watts Melbourne, Australia
Aug 18 Positive I met Greg at the Sziget festival in Budapest 2009, he was the canadian representative in our group of CS campers and a friendly face to have around the campsite!  From SéVERINETTE Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Aug 10  Positive Greg? he thought Pastis was italian! And he still persists in doubting Luxembourg is a country... :-)
To sum up the experience, great, it was great, simply great!
Hope you'll come again to our place on your way back to Paris!  From Ian Mak Hong Kong Island, China
Jun 11  Positive Greg is a very interesting and respectful person, I hosted him in the last minute, I enjoy being with him
Hope he enjoys the time in Hong Kong!  From DUMPYCACTUS Hong Kong Island, China
Jun 8 Positive so nice! lots to talk about with lots of random stories~
i don't even know if "2 days" is really what happened... so messy. i think it was my fault, so i feel a little sad about that. (but thanks for being all cool about it!)
greg, i hope you found all the things you weren't looking for!
(remember to watch more Wong Kar Wai films...)  From Tanja Paulweber Kaufbeuren, Germany
Jun 6 Positive met him at a cs meeting in calgary. he is a very helpful and nice person. see you at the sziget festival.  From AURéLIEN! Brussels, Belgium
May 2 Positive I met him in San Francisco and we spend time, smocked cigarettes and drink a lot of coffee ;-), he's very friendly!!!
I'm happy to met him, he's one of the personne who gave the strengh to make this californian trip!!!see ya!!  From Lance Trammell San Diego, United States
Apr 27 Positive what a great guy! we had a blast cruising around san diego on the vespas. i just love it when my couch surfers know how to ride! he took great care of my scooter and was very considerate around the house. they also made me a fantastic dinner!! thanks guys! i would have greg and irene back anytime!  From Lucas Doran San Diego, United States
Apr 20 Positive Greg is a good guy, very down to earth and has a great sense of humor. I hosted him one night while he was in San Diego. I wish we had more time to spend together and I hope to cross paths with him again!  From Thomas Plank Kienberg, Germany
Apr 17 Positive a nice open minded guy,
see ya in canada  From Adrian Bolli Calgary, Canada
Mar 17 Positive The mystery man no longer is a mystery to me, but a great guy who I am excited to see every time we meet up!  From Glenn Loomis San Francisco, United States
Mar 10 Positive Okay, Greg, I checked and Poland is still safe but it couldn't hurt to worry. The border hasn't moved and the zloty is still worth around a quarter. Greg somehow managed to arrive from Calgary in the dead of winter, meet at SFO with his friend Irene from Phoenix (dead of perpetual summer) and arrive at my house right on time. His stories are more colorful than mine and he can cook, yikes! Somehow I forgot to ask about his notorious cat...could those stories be true? I guess I will just have to go to Calgary to find out, but I will remember not to go for stampede.  From Jesse Selkirk Saskatoon, Canada
Feb 23  Positive Greg was an awesome guy to spend time with, I liked him a lot. Baklava was delicious, and the Open Stage at the Ironwood was great fun. He's not nearly as sarcastic in person as you might think.  From Glen Cox Ilfracombe, United Kingdom
Dec 2, 2008 Positive Seeing as I am a year behind with my maintenance, he probably hates me now, but he's as full of **** as I am and we had a good gab. Kept on calling me Scottish (crazy Canadians and their sense of geography).  From KIKIELECTRIQUE Saskatoon, Canada
Nov 22, 2008 Positive Greg was a great host! We had good times at his place and at an open mic night in Calgary! He is chatty, respectful, and it was very enjoyable to hang out with him. So I got to say, he is not as sarcastic as I expected and his cat is not as crazy as he said! I would host or surf with him anytime again!  From Rachel Pinder Auckland, New Zealand
Oct 29, 2008 Positive I met Greg very briefly when he hosted me on his couch in Calgary. He was a great host, friendly, helpful and it was just a shame that I was only staying one night! Maybe next time it will be longer when I come back for the stampede!!  From Anita Lewna Koscierzyna, Poland
Oct 16, 2008 Positive We have met Greg in Budapest:) He was talking in polish and we in english:)It was great fun. Greg is very open,crazy and nice guy:)  From Maria Verey Krakow, Poland
Oct 3, 2008 Positive We spend only one day - but believe me, it´s enough to get to like Grzesiek. He is funny easy-going and open minded. A great partner for a travel!  From Aislinn McCarry Vienna, Austria
Sep 21, 2008 Positive Grzegorz is a hilarious guy.
We met in Vienna at the CS Stammtisch where he thought I was Polish and started speaking to me in very quick Polish, lol.
Once we actually started speaking in English I found out how fun loving and nice he is.
I hope to meet him again, perhaps in Canada, Vienna or somewhere else in the world.  From Anett Nagy Budapest, Hungary
Sep 13, 2008 Positive I loved having Greg around and gladly would have him any time. Not only do I recommend him as a CSer but I suppose it is difficult to want an easier guest.
He was helpful, helping, very attentive in any ways, independent and just kind. You may even start to be jelous after a while that he does not have more of his time for you.
Greg is exceptional. I locked the man the first night and left the house with another CSer to meet up with others. He took it very easy, just did my washing up and somehow got out and smoked on the corridor when I returned home.
UPDATE:
I met him again this year but unfortunately this time he stayed for just one day (he still got me and my husband a present all the way from Canada) and talked the night half-through even though he was tired after his long journey. Greg is such an easy guest. Ispiring. I wish he came more often. I am already looking forward to seeing him next time he is in Hungary. My advice: meet him, host him.  From Elemer Karoly Nagy Budapest, Hungary
Sep 13, 2008 Positive At first sight, I did not know what to think about him, and a bit later I was worried a little bit but as I got to know him, I realized how cool he is. Maybe looking a bit like a party animal, yet he is a fine spirit, although a bit slow to recognize cultural differences. Anyway, he's cool and nice.
Update:
The more I know him the more I apprentice his kindness, his intelligence and his positive nature. Too bad he is only showing up rarely - it must be that "other continent" thing ;)  From Itai Barami Washington, United States
Sep 13, 2008 Positive Greg is the one to take along if you want your trip/day/staying to be more interesting. If something can go wrong it will BUT it will be much more fun with him around. Here is Greg's recipe for the "crazy bike trip" coctail:
Take one large beer can, 2 shot glasses, and put all in one bagpack. go to a bicycle trip and shake well. voila!  From Michael Bridi Vienna, Austria
Sep 8, 2008 Positive A really funny guy!! You definitely have to meet him if you got the chance, you will hear the greatest stories about milk-bars in Eastern Europe, Alcohol-Bread smuggling and Festival marriages. Greg is a big time partier and always cheers up the mood of the people. I hope to see you again before you leave Vienna or at some other time between Poland and Canada  From Erik Pinkerton Whitehorse, Canada
Sep 5, 2008 Positive We met up at a couchsurfing meeting and then again for a coffee/beer. It was a great time sharing stories with another Canadian. Unfortunately it turns out the bastard knows what hes talking about and I still owe him a beer! From Renate Antolkovich Vienna, Austria
Sep 1, 2008 Positive Greg tried to cheat when requesting my couch for 2-3 days and actually planning to come for only one night. No Sir, seriously, this is not the way it's gonna work! And you know I am ALWAYS getting it my way! 17 days, 16 nights and 9 extensions of his stay later - no kidding! - I really miss him as a dear friend.
You don't believe you can make friends over 17 days? Greg will prove you wrong! As invisible as he is as a CouchSurfer (mess-wise - I haven't seen such a tidy CSer since the very beginning), as present he is as friend. We shared so much - food, smokes, laughs, talks, time... amazing!
How to pack everything into such a short reference leaving me only a coupla characters? Impossible!
Cashew, SERIOUSLY, you have a second HOME in Vienna and you have to come back anyway, as you didn't leave only your tent here, but also a towel and some boxers (what the hell? - holy crap!) - or I will have to fly everything over :-). Either way, I am sure this story is to be continued... MWAH!
 From Maria Luiza Araujo Curitiba, Brazil
Aug 27, 2008 Positive Greg is a really great guy. We meet in a CS Meeting in Budapest and we had a great time!
He's funny and kind!
He tried to take the same bus to Krakow that me and my friend took, but unfortunately the bus was full :(
Nice meeting you Greg!!!  From BLUESTWO Uskudar, Turkey
Aug 3, 2008 Positive Great host and a wealth of information on Calgary and couchsurfing.Even tried to hook us up with a volunteer gig at the Folkfest. We hope that we are able to host him on our couch one day.  From Melodie T Montreal, Canada
Jul 15, 2008 Positive GREG is a nice guy, outspoken, disciplined and seems to be a little serious sometimes (maybe I'm wrong, I dont know ??!!). I'd love to meet him again and talk more with him.
So GREG, when will be the next meeting?
 From Carlos de la Torre Cordoba, Argentina
Apr 26, 2008 Positive I met Greg at a party while I was in Calgary. He is so friendly and outgoing that I hope I'll be able to Couch Surf with him someday!!!
Greg, hope to see you soon in Argentina!!!  From Arthur McAtee High River, Canada
Feb 14, 2008 Positive Met Greg at a CS group. A very positive supportive person.  From Felix D. Revelstoke, Canada
Jan 7, 2008 Positive the polish man was much fun to go sliding and moose watching with!?!
but watch out he might ram you, when you least expect it, using his super mega jet powered Doc Marten boots!
I will no doubt see this true cs addict, when I hitch to calgary for the next big event!
 From Rebecca Lavallee Powell River, Canada
Dec 24, 2007 Positive from the start i liked greyg. how can you not like someone who drives people from one province to the next AND has such a wicked sense of humour?! i hope he does come and find me and TREVOR to surf our mobile apartment!  From Aidan McWatt Wicklow, Ireland (Republic of)
Dec 22, 2007 Positive very helpful fellow, always keen to make sure you're set up okay and that you'll fare well in his city. glad to have met him.  From Peter Atkins Calgary, Canada
Dec 15, 2007 Positive met Greg at various CS events. Always up for a good time and interesting to talk two. From Marieluise Röttger Vienna, Austria
Oct 19, 2007 Positive The first time I met Greg: it was such a cold day in Whitehorse and I wasn't really in a talking mood... I can remember that he was full of energy and he talked a lot! So polish!
Well, we drove a few weeks later down to Calgary cause we promised to visit him for a day or two... But actually we stayed 2months. 2months! What the! But hey, we had a good time. He Is Great. I love when he is getting excited for little things (motorbikes(ok, it´s huge!), music(crazy taste, he knows what he is talking about), goats(it´s our insider, sry)...). And all the coffee and the cigarettes... We shared the Aschenbecher.
I miss my polish man and I promised: I will be back!
And as I promised, I came back. And again: we shared the Aschenbecher. He is still so Polish and I guess I am still so German. But we never had a border. Greg, I will be back! Again? Again! Watch the signs!
 From Arielle Muriel Calgary, Canada
Oct 19, 2007 Positive He rocks, and is totally cool with me showing up randomly at 2:15am. To give some context, we both work nights though. =)  From Janine Muster Leipzig, Germany
Oct 15, 2007  Positive i didn't let him steal my car.
it was totally cool to meet greg. he is an ineresting guy with a really good sense of humor.
yeah, we cried and laughed a lot.
marie and me, we are looking foward to meet him again.
either in calgary or maybe in poland. but hopefully soon.
if he comes to germany, east part he definetley gets a couch.
and than there is the second part and the third part. greg became one of my best friends in canda.
i can't believe that he actually got the car in the end.
the more i hope he will stop by in germany.
 From Fred Missick Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Oct 13, 2007 Positive Greg is one of a kind. Few would have done for me what he did. I was hitch-hiking through canada, and he picked me up and dropped me off outside of the city. made me feel really comfortable in his house. Has interesting ideas about music, politics and travelling. Hope i can host him one day, it would be a pleasure, he is welcome to my house.  From Blaine Pengelly Halifax, Canada
Sep 15, 2007 Positive I had fear of his cat before I even met him and I have never met his cat.  From Ryan Pengelly Winnipeg, Canada
Sep 14, 2007 Positive Greg is an eccentric, caring couchsurfer. He is highly dedicated to the couchsurfing principles and couchsurfers passing through Calgary.  From Cristey Bartus Oregon, United States
Sep 13, 2007 Positive Very helpful in getting me oriented to the city and fetching last minute things using his account at MEC. Had a delightful time going through all the neighborhoods, HAVE HIM TAKE YOU TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD STORE WITH THE OLD GUY WITH THE BUCKET OF CHEESE WOW!  From Amanda Foran Halifax, Canada
Sep 12, 2007 Positive Even in my brief meeting with him, I believe that Greg has an incredible ability to not only make you feel super comfortable with his intense curiousity for others but he could also make you laugh (ALOT) in mere seconds!  From Adam Bathe Fort Smith, Canada
Sep 8, 2007 Positive Greg is an integral part to the Calgary CS community. I would jump at the chance to surf or host with Greg, though I have heard stories about his psychotic cat since before I joined CS. I imagine that it would be more than worth the danger. From Jenelle Matson Calgary, Canada
Sep 8, 2007 Positive Gregory and I work together however it never quite feels like work when he is around. Instead I get to enjoy my time bantering back and forth with Greg, and rhapsodically chatting for hours on end while consuming way to many cigarettes and coffees to be considered healthy. Gregory is a wonderful friend to me. He is honest, caring, sarcastic, and wise. And don’t worry Greg, I promise not to hate you because I’m angry!
 From BERLINADIAN Berlin, Germany
Sep 5, 2007 Positive I asked him to surf his couch - I ended up surfing Sonjas couch and Croques/ Randys.
But we met at the after show party Randy took us to. Nice guy, fun company who knows maybe I'll surf his couch next time I am in Calgary ;-)I would if he had time just as well as I would let him surf my couch!  From COOKSOWELL Nanchang, China
Aug 31, 2007 Positive I have meet Greg at the Glasgow CS Subcrawl and even he is from Canada we live miles apart we were stranger in a new world. We had a really great time and good discussion emerge. Look forward to meet him again  From Marshall Hartlen Edmonton, Canada
Aug 21, 2007 Positive Greg, see i do remember! Was a great guest whois a quite knowledgeable and i am sure that i will get to know him a bit better as sooner or later i will have to head to the town of cows and it seems he can't get enough of this place either.(I was at a wedding last weekend Bud sorry i missed you) Great taste in beer also!  From Sonja L. Calgary, Canada
Jul 27, 2007 Positive Greg's a great friendly guy!  From Клифф Лиу Cliff Liu Toronto, Canada
Jul 21, 2007 Positive Greg is a VERY NICE host!!!!!! We didn't get to talk/hang out lot because of his work and sleeping schedule...but Greg is super cool! I really enjoyed the bike ride!!!!! His cat Meto is also a very interesting character ;-) dziekuje bardzo
------- he is a truly original being  From Lorna Duffy Brighton, United Kingdom
Jul 16, 2007 Positive Finally! Well Greg had just landed from Canada had a quick glass of water and then got down and dirty in bird shit for the making of a "horror". We ate, drank, danced, chatted, laughed, painted.... Greg was extremely generous, feeding me well, taking me to a modest mouse concert, thanks for that - they're certainly not morbid! He is full of interesting stories and great fun to be with. I really enjoyed when he was over, hopefully one day ill get over to him. A gentleman who always walks on the outside of the foothpath, thanks Greg our peace lilly is doing well. x  From Mehdi Gharib Beauty Point, Australia
Jun 19, 2007 Positive I had written a comment that was pretty lame compared to Greg's comment on mine.
so I will write another; Greg is someone who has a very different background to mine, yet in a few days I really began to notice that humanity flows from him. People make travelling, and awesome people like Greg give me hope in humanity and this world.
 From Bryan Simpson Calgary, Canada
Jun 10, 2007 Positive Yeah, I remember Greg. I was a little too drunken to remember his well, but I do. Haha, Hey Greg!  From Deborah Waters Glasgow, United Kingdom
Jun 3, 2007 Positive greg is one of those people who i clicked with right away i'm so sorry his time in glasgow was so short...next time it had better be longer (or else)  From Romain Goupil Paris, France
Jun 1, 2007 Positive This guy has very good vibes, is really easy going and has good stories to tell. He really loves Canada and Canadian stuff We had v good fun during a crazy night out in Glasgow, ending up in a flat full of crazy Irish people.
Nice bloke, see you in Alberta or wherever pal!!  From Umang Shah Mumbai, India
May 9, 2007 Positive Cool guy...really helpful...and knows the amazing places in town!...like Michaelangelo's...a discovery!  From Beat Stauffer Cuernavaca, Mexico
May 7, 2007 Positive Greg is excellent!!! He organizes many CS meetings in Calgary and is a really cool and helpful guy. We went to Sunshine Village with Jesus who helped us against a cop!  From Andrés Vielma Montreal, Canada
May 6, 2007 Positive Greg's a great guy, he offered me a ride to go with him and his friends skiing/snowboarding in Sunshine Village (sorry, I had have to say "next time")...well, pretty good guy, nice to talk with, full of stories...  From Darren Tanguay Calgary, Canada
May 1, 2007 Positive I've sat and had food, drink and nothing but good times with Greg. He is truely an awesome person who really embodies the spirit of Couchsurfing.  From Luke Moilliet Calgary, Canada
Apr 7, 2007 Positive Greg is the life of the party and great at meeting everyone and ensuring your laughing and having a good time. If there ever was an amazing ambassador for a city it's him.  From MissE Goodwin Chelsea, Canada
Mar 29, 2007 Positive one funny little note, from a lute, piped by a skipping/trotting pan, off to frolick at a feast on a sunny morning...
and then when we actually met, i realized that he was a glow in the dark lawn dwarf, with a smile that could light up an entire subburb in during the end of the world!  From Eric Smiley Seattle, United States
Mar 27, 2007 Positive Dangit, I wish Greg would've stayed more than one night! This guy had me cracking up to no end. Like a true adventurer, he is able to travel far and wide, meet hundreds of people and yet always be fully present with each individual he encounters. And ladies, don't be fooled by the pictures: this guy is HAWT!  From Lauren Tuck Whitehorse, Canada
Mar 5, 2007  Positive greg is full of energy and he is very funny.
He stayed with my folks in the Yukon and they had really great things to say about him.
Greg writes great emails and he has a really positive vibes which comes across when you speak with him.
He stayed in the Yukon when it was freezing but had a positive attitude the whole time
he fell for the city so you know he must be cool.Greg is a really geniune, good person. looking forward to meeting you sometime!
best of luck on your journey,
cheers, lauren  From Jessica MacMillan Halifax, Canada
Feb 25, 2007 Positive fun times at the Pogue - great meeting Greg and contrary to popular belief there was no nicking of any packsacks, hard ot believe, i know!  From Dali Daigle Halifax, Canada
Feb 24, 2007 Positive Greg is my favorite kind of guest - one that can keep them-self busy while I slave away in school. Other than being perfectly self-sufficient he was really a great guest. So what if we didn't have matching wind breaker jackets or highly advanced winter camouflage suits? It doesn't make us any less of a team right?
The ferrets approved, so he's got my vote!  From RAINBOWHAVEN Dartmouth, Canada
Feb 23, 2007 Positive Greg was an unexpected guest couch surfer. He was good company and put up with my endless talking like a trooper! =) Very easy going guy!  From Meredith Binder Seattle, United States
Feb 14, 2007 Positive Greg stayed wiht my friend, Eric Smiley here in Seattle. They both came to the wrap party for a film that I made adn Eric worked on (he did hair, acted and did some still photography for us). Greg was very congenial. I was impressed with the way he spent time engaged in good converstations with everyone, including my anti social 83 year old dad. From CROQUE Montreal, Canada
Feb 5, 2007 Positive Greg is an amazing person! Outgoing, friendly, funny...you must meet him!
 From Brian Oman Whitehorse, Canada
Jan 28, 2007 Greg is a goofball. Seriously, a large ball of goof. Roll him down the stairs and you'll just hear him squeeze out a "goof" on every bounce. He bounces because goof is bouncy and bouncing is what it doesn. Silly bouncy goof-greg.  From Kathleen Jarvis Sunnyvale, United States
Jan 26, 2007 Positive Greg and I emailed about him possibly surfing with us, then met at a CS dinner in SF. He is incredibly kind and accomodating (when ordered to accompany me back to feed the parking meter in the dark, he went without complaining although he had just arrived) and fun to talk with, energetic and delightful. Makes us want to go to Calgary just so see his cat and his couch.  From Rachel Gregg Sacramento, United States
Jan 26, 2007 Positive Greg is an amazingly nice guy, but he's from Canada so that is almost to be expected right? Anyhow, he managed to bite his tounge while we were being zipped around the city while some pretentious lady in the front seat was droning on about mispronouncing the word "crepe" - good work Greg!  From Jennifer Narindra Chennai, India
Jan 25, 2007 Positive Greg would meld into SF perfectly - he's funny, charming, vegetarian, funny!! We met only briefly but I can already tell he's a joy to be around.  From Justin Barker Sacramento, United States
Jan 25, 2007 Positive Greg is a totally cool guy who really loves Couchsurfer and it shows...Just look at this profile...It rocks! I am really glad he was able to hang at our house, taking on feats like 15 mile uphill bike rides and secretly taking out our trash....He's the man! Thanks Greg! See you soon!  From Katja Smirnov San Francisco, United States
Jan 25, 2007 Positive I promised to visit you and I will! It was great to meet you…you were so much fun. Plus, Canada rocks and you are from there and you rock with Canada I guess…Comeback to SF soon and we shall meet again…  From Jesse N. San Francisco, United States
Jan 25, 2007 Positive This guy is a bundle of energy and tons of fun. I would've hosted him on the weekend of the CS dinner, but I had a lot of stuff going on. You're welcome back to SF anytime, my good man.  From Princess Rachelina San Francisco, United States
Jan 25, 2007 Positive this guy is very observant! he noticed me off of another friend's profile! funny! very friendly and nice!  From The Jolly Green Giant, Derek Wallace North Hollywood, United States
Jan 23, 2007 Positive Look, it's like this: Greg is who I signed on here to meet, I just didn't know it at the time. I'm not gonna get all flowery for you and use a bunch of adjectives. Rather, I'll sum it up like this: he makes a damn good case for why we should allow cloning. Experience Greg if you can. PERIOD.  From Nicole Hickerty Calgary, Canada
Jan 19, 2007 Positive oh, i couldn't ask for a better CS friend than greg here!  From Jenn Kaplan Seattle, United States
Jan 18, 2007 Positive Greg is a very cool person who does meaningful things with his life and brings very delicious curry to people's houses. Sorry this weekend was so hectic; next time I'll show you around.  From Merissa Bakos Calgary, Canada
Jan 13, 2007 Positive Not the best bowler, but an awesome guy.  From Ismael Pineda Paris, France
Dec 17, 2006 Positive we were listened music with some others Cs and walking a little bit aroun down town.  From Tiana Mik Bogota, Colombia
Dec 10, 2006 Positive He is a good person,, cheerful,,
In spite of the short time we spend together -just 2 days - we had good conversations, we talked about everything until late in the night... thanks Greg for encouraged me to take the challenge of learning Russian again,, Thanks for the Canada team too!!
yeap!! the arepas!! I'll buy some more when u come back....
!! До свидания ;) !!  From Daniel Concha Rivera Cali, Colombia
Dec 3, 2006 Positive Greg is really easy going person. And it was a pleasure for me to host him! Unfortunately we had not much time to talk a bit but hopefully we will next time! He's a really trustable and likeable person. And if you ever have the chance to host him: Don't miss it!!!
 From Marie Anne Guichandut Montreal, Canada
Sep 4, 2006 Positive Greg has a good sense of humour,a strange cat, wonderful spices on his cupboard, and on top of all the best blender in town. I don't think I could have asked for more... well maybe if he had a cowboy hat...  From GARMENTLADY Dayton, United States
Aug 18, 2006 Positive Greg is lots of fun! hospitable, relaxed, interesting, great job u guys with the meet too, one of the largest I have been to so far in N. America so keep it going! next time have to check out that redneck place just for the experience of it all ;)I'll be back!  From Catherine Plamondon Candiac, Canada
Aug 1, 2006 Positive Do stay with him and DEFINETLY host him! From Brad Cridland Calgary, Canada
Jul 21, 2006 Positive Greg is a really cool guy. Hes got a great sense of humor and if you can ever go for a coffee with him you won't regret it. Although he will probably drink 5 or so coffees for every one you can polish off. And if you ever have the chance to surf with him, take it! Very trustworthy!
From Andrea Carrera Coapa, Mexico
Jul 19, 2006 Greg is a very nice person. I met him in Mexico , we went to Chapultepec and Williy Colon Concert.
He is very funny .
If you come to Mexico please visit us again.
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