*AIMAN*

Hi! I am 22 years old, born and raised in Pakistan and currently settled in Cardiff. I dropped out of formal education in the first year of uni to be more 'hands on' and practical, and since then I have performed, directed community shows at WMC and local queer venues, organised community events and engaged in activism in the causes that I care about (Palestine solidarity, trans liberation, anti racism).

I am deeply passionate about making the world a better place than how I found it. I have come to accept that suffering is an inevitable part of the human condition, or the condition of all life on earth, while simultaneously committing myself to lessening unnecessary suffering as much as possible. I find humans equally bewildering and fascinating, capable of breathtaking compassion as well as unimaginable cruelty. I want to come to accept the full range of life and humanity, and want to start traveling more (ethically and sustainably in a way that is mutually beneficial rather than extractive) to help me learn and do more for my little piece of the world.

*JIA WEI*

Hi! I am Jia Wei. Please don't call me "Jia" as East Asians have double first names - for example hyphenated like Zhi-Hui, joined like Xiaotong and spaced out like Jia Wei - little tidbit for anyone!

I am a seasoned Couchsurfer and have been couchsurfing since I was 18. Today, I am 28 and have hosted many and have been hosted by many as well. I have many friendships deeply founded upon by the shared experience of Couchsurfing and I have so many stories to last many, many, campfires on all the people who have shaped me and lighted so many paths in my life just by meeting them. I am forever grateful for all the surfers and hosts I've met, they have deeply etched and touched my soul in so many ways - we'll have a conversation about this if and when we meet :)

I am Malaysian and currently living in Cardiff, Wales. I have a huge passion in learning absolutely everything, and especially love stargazing and learning languages. I love, LOVE people as well and can strike up a conversation with anyone of all ages (that's my superpower) and I have a huge space in my heart for humanity, and calling humanity out if needed. Outside of my job I am a fierce activist in intersectionality - from decolonisation, indigenous and climate justice, dismantling systems of oppression - come to get to know me with an open soul!

Что привело меня на Couchsurfing

*AIMAN*

I have moved countries very frequently out of necessity and due to life circumstances, but I have never been solo travelling. I have travelled with others (including a lot of adventures with Jia Wei) but I realised I would really like to meet very new people and learn about their lives and how they interact with their land and local community. I had first considered going to a backpacker's hostel or a budget hotel, but I don't want to be a 'tourist' or someone who just comes and takes from the community. I love cooking and telling stories about my own life and experiences, and I want to offer that in return for someone to tell me what their favourite cafe is, where they go for walks, what the recent local news and history is; basically a small slice of someone else's life in this vast, infinite universe in return for a small slice of my own. Hopefully, we will learn something new from each other.

*JIA WEI*

I was at an open house celebration for Eid, and my aunty was telling me how her daughter brings random strangers into their home for Couchsurfing, and I was curious! Decided to try it for Japan, and I was immensely hooked. I first went onto Couchsurfing to save a lot of money travelling as the Malaysian currency is really low in value, but through that, I found out it is SO much better than hostels and Airbnbs.

The couchsurfing spirit is peak golden, and everyone I've experienced it with shares it wholeheartedly. The community shares what they have genuinely without asking for anything back, and every host is a unique personality and an abundance of brilliant experience like no other. I learnt so much for them and I experienced cultures and environments as how a local would. It's such a deep honour to be experiencing a place in a local's eyes and it's absolutely beautiful. I would like to share it with every person I meet everywhere I go :)

Интересы

Movement, movement, movement!! The moment you meet me, you'll see that I hate sitting down ;D I prefer standing up than sitting down, I could move for hours! I'm guessing if there was a condition called "hyperactivity" and not ADHD, I would be proudly diagnosed with that :) I say "proudly" because, in case if your cat was up on a tree and is afraid to come down, or you accidentally hit your ball onto the roof - no worries! I could definitely get it down ;)

I enjoy just Being. I am so immersed in the present, that the past and future hardly affects me, which I am very proud of ^^ Therefore, if I am spending time with you, I will be wholeheartedly spending time with you. I would listen to the trees, the waves, get immersed in a full blown waterfight, see how the birds fly, learn your culture and your language wholeheartedly, and enjoy every single small moment any place :)

• languages
• psychology
• cultures
• life
• parkour
• community
• movement
• movement culture
• playgrounds
• motivation
• earth
• helping others
• indigenous culture
• all the little things

Музыка, кино и книги

Music: Anything which grooooooooves! I have a friend who calls me a "melomaniac", which means I listen to everything good :) However, if I really have to narrow it down, I love film scores/movie soundtracks, electronic imaginative music, indigenous world music, gooood funky/jazz/bluey music AND MUSICALS!!! I'm OBSESSED with musicals, so if you have some recommendations, please do recommend me!

-- I'm a kid at heart! :D --

Movies: Anything which inspires me. Movies that hold wholesome meaning, etc: We Bought A Zoo, lots of Disney/Pixar (Finding Nemo, Up, Mulan, Tarzan, Brother Bear), superhero movies, family films (Cheaper By The Dozen, School of Rock). Even if it's heavy and meaningful (etc: Imitation Game, Interstellar, , it makes me strive to do better in life :)

Books: I don't read a lot now since I'm into motion, but I was obsessed with lots of young adult fantasy AND spy stuff last time - Septimus Heap, Harry Potter, The Guardians of Ga'Hoole, Eragon, Warriors, Todhunter Moon, The Chronicles of Narnia, Spy X, Dan Brown books

Классная вещь, которую я сделал(-а)

Hmm...
- Trying to climb up the 8th floor of a Japanese shopping mall and then jumping down using the parkour method when we heard the security guard coming
- Doing a social experiment by randomly pointing at the sky in Korea, and people actually looking
- Went on my solo Mexico trip (40 day trip) with absolutely no plans beforehand
- Bagpacked in Rome. Literally. Just a schoolbag for 7 nights.
- Survived 2 nights in Iceland with 2 British Pounds.
- Watched a movie in every cinema in Cardiff for free, legally

There are so many weird random occasions ;P

Учу, учусь, делюсь опытом и информацией

As I am fluent in Chinese, English and Malay, and a little bit Japanese, feel free to ask me if you'd like to learn any of these languages! :D

Also, if you are stiff in any areas, I could give you some advice (based on my movement journey) on mobility, beginner parkour, doing hand puppets (heh! something I discovered when I was 10!), making music, playing the piano, guitar, ukulele etc.

And last but not least, Malaysian culture! I can cook for you, share our beautiful diversity and how we are a cultural melting pot and why I absolutely love home :)

I would LOVE to learn anything - if you have any special talents, feel free to teach me! I am very curious in learning everything!

Чем я могу поделиться с хостами

You can use my washing machine, dryer, fridge, freezer, stove to make your own meals. Also the best places to visit around Cardiff and some Welsh recommendations while you stay in Wales!

Где я побывал(-а)

Australia, China, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Malta, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom

Где я жил(-а)

Malaysia, United Kingdom