CURRENT MISSION

Take every day as it comes and LIVE LIFE!

ABOUT ME

A few years ago when filling this out a friend described me as "Small & nifty, only needs a small corner of the couch". Wow, thats all he had to say - I'm pint sized! Ha! Upon further questioning he continued: "Sociable, outgoing, thoughtful, on the ball and loads of fun".

My version: Down to earth, easy to get along with, spontaneous, free spirited woman. I pretty much get along with anyone from 3 year old kids to 90 year old men. I love meeting new people and building new friendships.

In June 2012 I left a well paid job in Melbourne to move to Beijing to help my brother get his new Bike shop/ cafe/ bar off the ground. Some said I was mad for leaving a job to work for free in foreign lands, but sisterly love is a strange thing. Besides, i was looking for a new adventure and a good reason to get out of the corporate rate race.

From Oct '12 - Feb '13 I went on an adventure to South America, via Beijing, Zurich, London, Italy and New York City. I joined CS while on a flight from Oslo to Pisa, Italy (free wi-fi in the air!!). I took a random side trip to Oslo after meeting some Norweigen rockstars in Beijing. I organised an impromptu gig for them at my brothers bar a few weeks back and they insisted I ditch my Italy leg and go hang out with them in Oslo. An offer I couldn't refuse. I had a really fun weekend there!! Over the 4 months of travelling I met a number of people who use the world as their office - online businesses, day traders, web developers etc. They inspired me to become a 'professional nomad'. I now plan to travel forever - living in a new city every few years (at least).

I've just launched a new business that will allow me to do just that - Personal Travel Photography. Essentially I go on holiday with people and take photos of them and the landscapes. Its still new but Im excited about where it will take me. I spent the last few months travelling around Europe and Asia, working remotely to build my website. 3 months in Spain, UK, Norway, Indonesia and Malaysia. I am now (Sept/ Oct 2013) in the US for a couple of weeks before heading to Iquitos Peru where I will find a canoe with a couple of Frenchies! We will wander down the Amazon river, deep into the Brazillian jungle for 2 months meeting local tribes and living off the grid as much as possible. Can not wait! We'll be writing a blog - you should check it out. The site isnt set up yet, but you'll be able to find it via me website: www.elisebufton.com - stay tuned!

PHILOSOPHY

Trying my best to live in the moment. Enjoy the PRESENT and not worry so much about the past or the future.

Check out some great quotes in my photos - they are from a Flickr 365 days compilation.

Por qué estoy en Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

At the moment I am participating as a surfer. I give back to my hosts by buying food, cooking for them and keeping them entertained with my charming and whitty conversation (hahaha). I'm looking forward to returning to Melbourne and playing host!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have now surfed in New York; Buenos Aires; numerous cities in Chile and Peru; Madrid, Spain; LA; San Francisco and even Tahiti. I've had some amazing experiences and made some great friends - I think CS is awesome! Bring on more!

Intereses

Living in the present moment, taking each day as it comes, I prefer to just plan a few hours to a few days ahead. This allows me the opportunity to meet new people and take opportunities when they arise. When visiting a new place I like to live like the locals. Ear local food, visit local bars and meet local people. I think its the best way to get a feel for a location. I'm not one for ticking all the tourist haunts off a list, I prefer to cruise and enjoy my surroundings and the great people I meet along the way.

I love cycling - its the best way to get around any city (except those really hilly ones - but its a good work out!). I also have a passion for photography - combine the two and I'm in heaven... Oh and if its night time, even better... Low light photography is my favourite.

I also love to keep fit, mainly with cycling, running and yoga. I have a beautiful carbon fibre bike which I miss like it is my child :) Sadly so far I have not had much opportunity for yoga, so I am missing this too!

• arts
• writing
• photography
• festivals
• dining
• cooking
• yoga
• running
• working out
• shopping
• traveling
• cars
• blogging
• music
• cycling
• canoeing
• business
• volunteering

Música, películas y libros

Movies
I LOVE film! Have worked at the Melbourne International Film Festival and the London Film Festival and every year I try and see as may films as possible during festival time! it usually results in a very sore bottom, but I love it. Love art house films, but also comedy, drama, psychological thrillers and horror (even though I watch most of it through my fingers hehee).

Music
I have pretty eclectic taste in music, I can pretty much enjoy anything. A few of my favourites are PJ Harvey, My Morning Jacket, Florence and the Machine, The Whitest Boy Alive, Midlake, Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Nirvana, Black Sabbath, Bic Runga, Ladyhawke, Arcade Fire, Ben Harper.... etc

Algo increíble que he hecho

I'm very easily awe struck :) Mainly by people and beautiful places. Some of my favourite travel memories include:
- Cycling with a sandboard in 30+ degrees (celcius) heat from San Pedro to Death Valley and then boarding diwn the dunes.
- Volunteering at a music festival (Slottsfjell) in Tonsberg, Norway as the (self titled) 'chief VIP fun maker' ... Basically just hanging out backstage looking after a few bands including Alt-J, Crystal Fighters, Little Green Cars and Tom Odell.

visited 30 states (13.3%)

Enseña, aprende, comparte

Teach
The art of taking life as it comes. Living in the present. LOVING LIFE. Plus I can teach you a few things about photography.

Learn
I'm learning Spanish for the South America leg of my trip - so any help with this would be great! I'm a little shy though as I've just started learning.

Qué puedo ofrecer a los anfitriones

I can share some hot tips for places I've lived (Australia, China, Europe) and travelled. I can offer some photography tips. But probably the one thing that every host loves is my cooking! I love to cook - especially for others. Let me cook for you :)

Países que he visitado

Argentina, Belgium, Chile, China, Czech Republic, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

Países en los que he vivido

Australia, China, United Kingdom

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