Tafline Laylin's Photo

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Overview

  • 38 references 14 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in English; learning Afrikaans, Spanish
  • 46, Female
  • Member since 2009
  • Writer
  • I have a BA in English and Philosophy.
  • From Henley-on-Klip, South Africa
  • Profile 100% complete

About Me

CURRENT MISSION

Infamy

ABOUT ME

I have lived all over the world, though I don't even feel as if I've left my back garden because there is so much yet to discover. My best friends include Navajo Indians from Monument Valley, a South African pastor who lives on charity, an opera singer from Minnesota, and other such colorful characters. I identify most with indigenous people and hope to find a way to be able to spend as much time as possible with them and share in their innocence. At the same time, I am a thinker, and though I love people and enjoy learning from them, I spend many hours each day reflecting on human behavior and the meaning of life.

PHILOSOPHY

It's important to me to make myself vulnerable, so that I can grow, and to avoid getting stuck in a rut. Additionally, though it's sometimes hard to reconcile this, experiencing both the good and bad in life adds dimension to one's character. And we can't forget the people: kindness and respect go a very long way. I am who I am because of the people I have admired along the way.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Sleep on couches.
Eat and cook with groovy couchsurfers.
Attend events.
Every so often, share my opinion on certain forums.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Couchsurfing in Israel: possibly the best community of couchsurfers on the planet.

Interests

Buddhism
Ecology
Conservation
Music
Philosophy
Literature
Wildlife

  • wildlife
  • literature
  • cooking
  • gardening
  • music
  • opera
  • buddhist
  • ecology
  • history

Music, Movies, and Books

The Birthday Letters, Ted Hughes; Siddhartha, Hesse; The Poisonwood Bible, Kingsolver; Odyssey, Homer; anything by Margaret Atwood, Nietzsche, Vonnegut, Alphonso Lingis...

So many movies, but mostly Mexican film, and other foreign film, Indie.

Right now: Tinariwen, Brett Dennen, The Bravery, Snow Patrol, Brandi Carlisle, Postal Service, Kings of Leon, The Decemberists, Saul Williams.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have had the very good fortune of spending many nights in Monument Valley with the Navajo Indians, learning about their history, and reeling from their present. Every time I returned, I learned something new, and feel fortunate to be able to say that they are my friends.

Teach, Learn, Share

It is increasingly difficult to believe in oneself and a fair world when there are multi-million dollar condos in China, nearby massive squalors, for example. But it's important to hold on to who you are and to cultivate that person against all odds. This may mean that some will ridicule you, this may mean that you'll endure abject poverty for a time, or even that you'll lose yourself along the way, but every single human being on earth is unique and should be celebrated for it.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Egypt, Israel, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Spain, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Iran, South Africa, United States, Viet Nam

Old School Badges

  • 13 Vouches
  • Pioneer Badge

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