Nomadic Ambassador DJ AJAM is currently couchsurfing...the world! He has recently opened his own "CouchSurfing shop" on his website, with all profits going to CouchSurfing.com. He shares some thoughts with us about couchsurfing, travel and life.
1. Hi Adam, could you tell us about yourself?
I'm a 28 year old from Bolton, Manchester England. Started DJing when I was 17, became professional when I turned 22, a year exactly to the day my dad passed away. For the last 6 years since then I've been DJing all over Europe as a career as well as working for a record distribution company for 5 years promoting and selling vinyl records all over the world. Whilst working I did a BA in Film Writing and Creative Writing in Manchester, part-time. In the second year of my degree my mum passed away sending me almost to the brink of depression. Somehow i pulled myself out, returned to finish my degree and now I'm pursuing the noble career as a writer.
2. How did you hear about CouchSurfing?
A friend of mine, who is also now a couchsurfer took a 1 year pre-planned trip around the world. Whilst in Asia, he met a guy from America who was using cs. He knew it would be the kind of thing I'd jump on, when he returned he gave me the website and I was hooked immediately.
I hosted in my house for over a year, never actually surfing myself, however after hearing all the stories from my guests, my desire to travel exploded ever more.
3. And what do you do now?
I quit my job to become a professional writer as well as DJing any opportunity I get. I now class myself as a world traveler, hopefully the next modern-day Hemingway currently exploring every country & writing the first book about couchsurfing the world.
4. Couchsurfing the world? For how long? How will you afford it?
After losing both my parents, my sister and I inherited the family house, I had to decide if I wanted to keep it or not which meant getting a mortgage for half the estate to give to my sister. The other option was to sell everything and use the money for the trip of a life time. The hardest decision of my life, however I'll only regret the things I didn't do right!
I plan to travel for 5 years, I'm in no rush, the last year i will spend writing the book and getting it published etc.
5. But what's left to do after doing the trip of a lifetime?
If the books a success then maybe I'll buy a boat and sail around the world, hosting people as i go, we can sail out to sea and crack up the music real loud. Also I've been writing a film trilogy for the last 5 years and a TV Series so I've plenty to crack on with. The book will hopefully give me the voice i need to break into the film industry. I'd like to start a family I guess at some point, not just yet though, I've the whole world to see.
6. Are you worried that CouchSurfing will change or not even last the length of your trip?
Yes, maybe it will change slightly, finally sell out to a big corporation, i hope i can complete my book before that happens if it does. I know that the admins work round the clock to keep the site running and the temptation of such an offer would be hard to knock back. I'm not thinking of the future too much, or the past, I'm living in the now and theres no better feeling than that.
7. So back to the trip. How's it going so far? Good/bad experiences?
Truly amazing, I've had so many wonderful experiences, I've attained over 5000 emails which i send my journal too, receiving copious amounts of replies from my readers about how much they are enjoying it. I'm growing as a writer everyday. I've not had any really bad experiences, more a case of some couchsurfers are more involved than others, to them its more than just having someone staying in their house, its about sharing, welcoming, creating bonds of friendship stretching across the globe that last forever. When I meet tourists, I find myself giving them advice that I've learnt from my hosts, priceless info you can't learn from Lonely Planet and tour guides.
8. Where do you have the time to couchsurf, write and respond to 5000 emails?
Sleep is the cousin of death they say, I guess i don't sleep much, I'm a good organizer of my time, and I'm quick to reply to emails, I used to work 8 hours a day back home like everyone else, without this commitment I've plenty of time to do what needs to be done to make my project as successful as possible.
9. I heard you're promoting Couchsurfing. How do you do that, besides surfing?
Proceedings of each book sold will be donated to CS keeping the website alive and hopefully away from membership funds and advertising. I'm hoping to donate a dollar per book. If every couchsurfer bought a copy you do the math, it would keep cs alive for a very long time. I hope to donate the largest sum in the CS history. Everyone I meet in the street I tell them of my project and introduce them to CouchSurfing. Although I do speak to everyone I meet I'm very particular about who I think would make a good CS member. After traveling for almost 8 months, I know how important it is to have the correct personalties and attitudes for the growth of our CS family.
10. So what do you think "Couchsurfing" is? Just a free couch or something else?
It's way more than a free couch, it helps travelers not only save money but utilise there time wisely, sometimes I've been lucky and my hosts have taken me to the places I wanted to visit instead of having to get a tour, its also a great insight into how places differ, how families live together, on occasion I get to try home made food from all around the world. also i feel safe knowing I have a host as soon as I get off the plane or bus, i don't have to worry about my belongings etc. Deep down CouchSurfing is a spiritual organisation, even in this world of fear and terror there are people out there that want to reach out and greet strangers into there home, even the parents of some of the hosts I've stayed with welcome the idea, liking the thought of having young people come and go from all around the world.
11. And do you think that CouchSurfing is really "changing the world"? Or is it just another traveler website?
It's changed my world for sure, I would have traveled regardless but couchsurfing reduces a big part of the stress and worry. It also leaves me with a friend in every country that I can always revisit making my world a smaller place.
12. How do you think CouchSurfing differs from other social networking sites?
First of all the security is way better than anything I've used before, the actual site is much more professional than similar sites and constantly being modified based on the members input, and what I like most about CS is that you actually go about making plans to meet people rather than chat nonsense in cyberspace. the site shows a different kind of dedication to a purpose than other sites which are filled with profiles showcasing fake relationships with people they have never met. Also at the moment CouchSurfing doesn't demand a joining fee, lets hope it stays that way and members continue to give donations instead.
13. Absolutely. Now, tell me about your Couchparty gigs. What's that about?
With me DJing for free, its a great way to do a party, inviting the local CS members together to meet one another and grow as a community. Some clubs have donated free bottles of spirits to me which i share with the members, the parties we have had so far have been great, I hope to make them bigger as I travel, maybe even one day making a global event..
14. Sounds exciting! Now, I heard something Couchsurfing T-shirts for sale. Can you give details?
The shop is now up and running! All commision charges will be donated to CouchSurfing every month. Check it out on-line..
15. So how much will the T-shirts be? And what percentage of sale price goes to CS?
All prices are on-line, on average about 3-4 dollars of each item goes to CouchSurfing, the rest covers the cost.
16. Thanks Adam. So where are you now? And where to next?
Now in Panama, I'll be here about a week then hit Colombia. After that, my next continent's South America.
DJ Adam's profile can be found here.
Roy Abraham
