I grew up in rural Scotland as a child, most of my adult life has been living in major cities: London, Tokyo and currently Vancouver. I have traveled a fair amount in my life especially for work which has included Afghanistan, South Africa, Colombia, Haiti, and El Salvador to mention a few.

I live in the Gastown area of Vancouver which has many restaurants, cafes and shops. A usual day for me is a walk, or a swim, and either working on the computer editing photographs or out and about on assignment.

One of my long-term projects is the World People Project which is a photographic
portrait based project of many colourful and interesting people.

www.worldpeopleproject.com

A few things that I love are chandeliers, sailing, penguin books, glamping, and perhaps my favourite is having a good conversation and hearing stories, over a walk, coffee or wine or even while fixing my car.

I ultimately believe in relationships that continue and expand.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Meeting local people and their knowledge is so wonderful. I like to learn more about a place than the sight seeing spots. I love meals at home, or a breakfast where you discuss your plans for the day.

Interests

• arts
• culture
• literature
• theater
• photography
• ballet dancing
• massage therapy
• people
• theatre
• photouournalism

Music, Movies, and Books

I tend to like slightly melancholic music, but really all types of music can enchant me. It really depends upon the setting, of where I am and what I am doing. I wish I had more time to spend finding out new music and learning more about music.

I enjoy many genres of films again, if it hits the mark, I will enjoy it.

Stanley Kubrick's films are still some of my favourites, I work for the Vancouver International Film Festival and meet a lot of filmmakers, from across the world. Last year the film Thina Sobabili from South Africa was profound.

I am a big Grahame Greene fan, I wish I had more time to read. I like a good crime novel, and sometimes I cannot put a book down, and read for hours.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Photographing the voodoo celebrations in the grave yards of Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Jour Des Morts.

Teach, Learn, Share

Learning to cook a New Year's Haitian soup called Joumou, for a friend who was visiting from Haiti was fun.

Sharing my resources when I can.

Teaching some life thoughts when it is needed.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A good conversation with a glass of wine and one day hopefully a favour returned.

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Belize, Colombia, El Salvador, Haiti, Jamaica, Japan, Portugal, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, England, Japan, Scotland