Can host in Portugal until 20 March! Small farm in the country, 200km from Lisboa, close to Spanish border.

Travelling around Europe in my van, doing various jobs and house/pet sitting. If I have a sit I might be able to host you for a few days, but don't expect me to plan far into the future!

I've travelled all over the world, worked in many countries, had all sorts of adventures, and never ever had a real job. I'm interested in hearing about what you are doing/learning.

The biggest lesson I've learned is that laughter is good. Every situation has a funny side, and a good laugh puts everything into perspective.

I'm a sailor, diver, explorer, entrepreneur, teacher, tinkerer, problem-solver, researcher. I try to be a rational skeptic, believe in evolution and emergent systems, and faith-based beliefs just irritate me. The stars I steer by are Occam's Razor and The Black Swan. (Not the movie.) I try to understand how the world really works and how to live in it without becoming a wage-slave or crusty hippy.

I like trains, never take night buses, would love to never take a commercial flight again, and occasionally I hitch-hike. HHing means standing out there in the world, waiting for something good to happen. Usually it does! Sometimes, something not good happens, but I always deal with it and everything is cool again. Sailing is the same philosophy, it doesn't matter which way the wind blows if you set your sails correctly. Make your own luck, as they say.

Hey, and I am passionate about food. I'm not a great cook, but I can feed myself and wonct eat McD's KFC, etc. The best CS experiences for me involve a good meal and chat about life, the universe and everything - at a reasonable time of the evening. I don't drink (liver can't do any more!), but don't object to anyone else having a few glasses. Hate smoking though!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Hoping to meet some interesting people.

I got a negative reference a few years ago, in response to a neutral one I gave him. Sigh. Be true to what you believe, don't kiss butt or give fake references to make yourself look better.

Interests

I love to ask "why do they do that?" or "why does that happen?" all the time. I ask questions, challenge people, and look for ways the world can be made better.

I used to be a TEDx organiser, and I'm a teacher, sailor, scuba diver, hiker, and general adventurer. I hate shopping and have no interest in clothes.

• dining
• cooking
• yoga
• drinking
• yachting
• shopping
• clothing
• hiking
• adventure races
• scuba diving
• sailing
• teaching
• entrepreneurship

Music, Movies, and Books

Charles Stross. Ursula K LeGuin. Nassim Taleb. Tim Burton. Terry Pratchett. Banksy. Douglas Adams. Sun Tzu. John Irvine. Salman Rushdie. Luc Besson. Tim Ferris. Tom Waits. Led Zeppelin. Peter Day. XKCD.com. TED.com. Jimi Hendrix. Mozart.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was attacked by Komodo Dragons in the jungles of Indonesia, and still have the scars!

I once sank a sailing yacht with four people on board, in the night, on the ocean.

Teach, Learn, Share

I teach entrepreneurship, language skills, and am active in communities related to change and internationalisation.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, China, Croatia, Fiji, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Serbia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Western Sahara

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Bulgaria, China, Germany, Gibraltar, New Zealand, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

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