#aboutdave
My Name is Jeff... I Mean Dave
My name is Dave – my Bucket List is neverending and I just like far too much stuff! Hopefully, some people can relate.
In fact my five pronged philosophy for the website comes from my inability to chase just one thing in life. I believe life should be varied, and I hope you do too. To decide if this is for you, please look at my Website Goals here, and see how I can help you.
In 2013, I “quit” my job, which you can read about here, and life really started.
I now work Winters in the Italian Alps, Summers in Festival fields. When I can, I content create. I also love to travel.
It’s been 7 years and my new life still feels me with passion every day. Because of my two season jobs, I get to stay in some places long enough to really appreciate the beauty and the culture, and sometimes I’m on the move so fast I blink through cities but I love how visual, fresh, and original they are through my eyes.
I’ve seen around 50 countries, and am hungry for more – you can see some of the places I’ve passed through here.
I like both cities and the countryside, although I feel most at peace in the mountains.
When I’m on the road, I have different modes of transport. I love hiking so quite often see the world on foot. At other times I cruise in my 2007 Toyota Prius – so uncool – or a rental as I love a road trip. But when I’m using a combination of foot, public transport and flights to see the world, I class myself as a Value Backpacker.
That means I stay in hostels but I also grab a hotel or guesthouse when need arises. I travel “money smart” but I will spend money where I feel the experience is worth having. That means I also take on more expenditure than the average young backpacker, but I also get more back from each destination.
Passions include films, books, skiing, hiking, music and festivals, and therefore this forms an added element to some of the places I visit.
Find out more about some of my passions below, and also a random list of 25 more facts that might start to paint a half-arsed version of me.
Cities
I love exploring cities, and all there is to see. Museums, walks, buildings, architecture, zoos, theatre, local odities, markets, activities…. it’s all on the list.
Off the Beaten Track
I adore getting off the beaten track, and back to some of the places that make us realise how tiny we are.
Skiing
Skiing took me to a different world. I now couldn’t imagine life without it. Days exploring, clocking up miles, with great views and fine food and drink. No other sport quite has the combination.
Hiking
Seeing the world slide slowly by on your own two feet is the most pure form of travel I can think of. Walking the Camino de Santiago, approx 900km across Spain, was one of the highlights of my life.
Festivals
If there’s a crazier, more welcoming, bunch of people in the world, I’ve yet to find a mix quite like the crowd at a festival.
#25morethings
25 More Random Facts About Dave
1) I’m 50% Croatian, 50% English
2) I speak no Croatian (before you ask)
3) But I do speak bad conversational Italian (much to Mum’s disapproval)
4) The Croatian blood means I tan fairly well, and don’t use suncream anywhere in Europe (though yes, I know, I should)
5) I’ve walked 915km across Spain on the Camino de Santiago
6) I’ve seen the highest points in Africa (Kilimanjaro – 5898m) and South America (Aconcagua – 6962m)
7) I’ve wrestled a knife off a crazy American (on a bus in the middle of frickin’ USA nowhere, Colorado, of all places)
8) I’ve been “trailed” a few times in my life, but more in Houston over 2 days then anywhere else. If you don’t drive in Houston, you’re an easy target.
9) I’m a little addicted to Pokemon Go, despite never liking or having any Pokemon games as a kid.
10) I love coffee. Coffee is life. I won’t give it up (just sayin’)
11) I hate snakes. They send shivers down my spine. I’ve held 4 in my life at various zoos to get over the fear. Didn’t help!
12) Humping snakes, I’ve found out firsthand, are worse.
13) One of my overriding memories of being young was being left by Dad in the haunted house at Alton Towers. This led me to fearing rides for my whole adolescence and missing out on many cool birthday parties.
14) I now love rides, especially rollercoasters.
15) When younger, I read far too many Dean Koontz and Terry Pratchett novels.
16) I used to keep rabbits. Every single one was called Tootsie. Until I had two at once, and they were called Blaze and Blizzard
17) I’ve been a shop manager, restaurant manager and student accommodation manager. Basically, I used to do a lot of Managing.
18) I’ve lived for 5 Winters in the Italian Mountains.
19) Unsurprisingly, I love to ski. I get down anything at all – with no style.
20) I used to play the violin and oboe.
21) I can’t dance, and no, I don’t feel the rhythm
22) My favourite singer is Leddra Chapman. I’m betting you’ve never heard of her.
23) I was a big fan of Nintendo for many, many years. Top 3 Games are Zelda, Mario Kart, and Goldeneye.
24) Bit of a geek, especially with sci-fi and fantasy. I was brought up on Star Wars and Star Trek, and love Lord of the Rings.
25) I thought this was going to be a 50 Things list. Clearly, I’m more boring than I Think.
#aboutwebsite #wherehaveibeen #howitallbegan #justhittheblog
The Other "About" Sections
This is our purpose here at davechant.com, and hopefully why you’re here too. We like to split it into five things that you can get out of our content – and why it may be for you. Stick around if one, or more, appeals.
He has been slowly notching up countries, cities, areas and experiences to his metaphorical belt. Find out a little more here.
Dave’s life used to be 70 hour weeks, all times of day, in the corporate world. Always an adventurer, there was a bit of an awakening and a diversion that sent him on his way. Find out more here.
