CURRENT MISSION

To see the places I have missed ! Or want to revisit.Starting with New York in March/April

ABOUT ME

Spent nearly 10 years in Spain/recently returned to London in order to get enough 'dosh' to travel again.
My friends see me as bohemian/creative thinker;others regard me as a 'flibbity-Jibbit'[Must look that up sometime,its a term that fascinates me!]
In 1989, after qualifying as a Teacher, I went to Czech Republic and saw the beginnings of the changes wrought by Peristroika! Fascinating, but not so great when looking for food. School dinners were horrific, even the students hated them!
I went to Slovakia feeling like Kate Adie and all the protection of M&S,but was sadly brought to earth realising that the deprivations faced by the Slovaks also affected me!
Travelled to Budapest[3 years] and loved every minute. It had everything that I loved and liked doing all in one place! Fantastic and I hope to return soon!
I will be in New York, that great and wonderful city, for a month March 30th/April 29th 2008 and would like others to join me;to share experiences/possibly do some travelling.

PHILOSOPHY

To explore and experience as much of this beautiful planet as possible. To meet people and exchange ideas/understandings.
I teach and hope to do so until " I-fall-off-my-perch"
"This is my "passion in life"
I feel extremely grateful that I have been able to help young people through difficulties and share the journey with them.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Still a 'new member' and haven't sorted that one out.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

When I first started 'Couch-Surfing' it didn't have a name. In the 70's we just met people and they put-us-up for a time. In my case until I moved on to another city,or another need 'to-see'.Packed my renault 10 with "It's time to go" I always knew when it was "Time"
I have met the most amazing people and have stayed in tents, bed-sits and in a wonderful apartment which looked like an Aladdins cave; in the 'wilds' of North Wales.On my way I met a guy who had deserted from the Army and my friend and I spent a great evening with 'him' playing Don Mclean American Pie and other music.The next day he too went on his way!

Interests

Music of all kinds. Dancing and watching Musicals.Films,especially Spy films.Reading, Poetry.Photography, writing [currently have some ideas for a children's story based on a dog I knew when living in a village,in the mountains,in Spain
Being with younger people;that's what interests me when travelling that I have the opportunity to share time with the 'young'and see a little of life through their experience of the world.
And of course travelling !

• dogs
• writing
• poetry
• photography
• dancing
• dining
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• surfing
• teaching
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Music Rock to Classical and most things in between.
The Lovers by William Wharton which was recommended to me by a Young Polish University Student in the British Council in Budapest.On a cold and snowy Xmas. It was a book that opened my eyes and I recomend it.
Movies: Too many to list; but Lawrence of Arabia is one of my top favourites; maybe because I'm an Army brat and was in Egypt during 'Suez'

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Feel this is a "difficult" space to fill in!
I feel that my life has been 'interesting'hard,exciting',dangerous,powerful,
incredible. So I am left to only say in response to this question: It's amazing that I have survived and still am prepared to experience other possibilities.

Teach, Learn, Share

Think I have covered this; except to say the idea of Couch Surfing fits exactly to my ideas on sharing,exchanging and meetings of others who will often surprise.