CURRENT MISSION

talk less, listen more

ABOUT ME

About me sections are always hard, but here is a try.

Born and brought up in Kerala, India. Spent 21 years in my home state before getting my first job and moving out. Been hooked to travelling and hiking ever since (I guess doing your first backpacking trip so late in life has its advantages and disadvantages!). Have been lucky enough to meet crazy human beings on a consistent basis, thanks to google and couchsurfing, challenging me to see things in new ways. Love devising trips by just looking at a map and drawing a straight line between the source and destination. Love the idea that your life and perceptions you built all your life can change from simple events, words, a book, a song or a movie.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have always used CS to find like minded travelers in new towns and cities. I have participated in CS events and hosted travelers in India, Wales and Netherlands. I currently moderate the Bhutan CS group.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

There are two types of people on earth, based on their reaction to hearing about Couch Surfing for the first time. The one who goes "You let others stay for FREE after just reading their profile in internet? Are you mad?" and the others with the familiar "Wow! That makes total sense, let me go sign up". Its the quickest way to find your "tribe", the trustworthy-no-matter-what, crazy-about-life, love-everything human beings. I cant put in words how life has changed by having the ability to host people from all over the country week after week. Each and every hosting experience has been like a dummies guide to a new place on earth and to life itself.

Interests

Backpacking. Formula 1. Trekking. Running. Cycling. Random radio channels in the internet. Trying out new drinks. A movie a day. Projektors. Tour de france. Good Deed Feeds. Searching for low airfares and making imaginary plans on a world map.

• books
• running
• drinking
• reading
• traveling
• drawing
• cycling
• hiking
• backpacking
• surfing
• tour de france
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Most of Bill Bryson, Paulo Coelho, Micheal Crichton. On the Road. Upmananyu Chatterjee. Intimacy. Survivor. Fight Club. The Dice Man. All of Tom Sharpe. Most recently Paul Theroux and Laurie Lee.

Too young in life to even describe any favourite movie - most of my early film experiences have been a mishmash of great hits in various South Indian languages and Hindi.I am catching up with films from other parts of the world now and its a long way to go before generalizing! Some of my recent favorites include: Avaze gonjeshk-ha (The Song of Sparrows), The Syrian Bride, Vals Im Bashir, Eyyvah eyvah, Le grand voyage, Life in a day, 180° South, The way, Bikur Ha-Tizmoret (The Bands Visit), Starbuck, Salmer fra kjøkkenet (Kitchen Stories), Gadjo dilo, Underground, Elling, Allegro non troppo, Gangs of Wasseypur, Soul kitchen, Locke, Stalker.

I love to hear folk music and classical music from all parts of the world. I tend to listen to random bands and artists from hearsay. Just like films, its a long way to go and I am yet to settle down on a favorite artist list. I have spent the last few months listening to a lot of Coke Studio Pakistan, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Philip Koutev choir, Abida Parveen, Shashank & Fleet Foxes.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Seeing India's 4 corners in 17 days - starting with the ocean, moving over to a desert, and onto the highest motorable road in the world and ending at the wettest place on earth - makes you realise why its impossible to cover all of the world and why you should carpe diem, consistently.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Bhutan, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Nepal, Spain, Sri Lanka, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, Netherlands, United Kingdom

•