About (Personal) - Switch to "About (Professional)"

Savas Parastatidis

Random things about me

• I love music. I produced concerts in high-school, had my own radio shows, and even did the “music talent discovery agent” for a TV station for a summer. That was maaaaany moons ago. However, I am tone deaf; I just can’t sing even though I’d have loved to be able :-)
• I love my country but I wish I could just say “I am from Earth”… why do we need borders?
• I used to have long hair (ah... memories :-)
• I like festivals a LOT. Glastonbury is my favorite and I go there every year. Who can resist the great bands, the parties, the stand-up comedy, the theatre, the mud, and so much more?
• I get enthused very easily (great conversation, mystery, movie, concert, landscape, art, philosophical discussion about the meaning of life … you name it).
• I am moved by acts and expressions of humanity or heroism.
• I love photography, especially B&W.
• I want to sky-dive and finish a full marathon at some point in my life. For the moment, I am trying to get ready for my fourth half marathon.
• I’ve done military service (it’s still compulsory in my country)... The most unproductive year of my adult life :-(
• I am very patient and calm, which sometimes annoys people if they are looking for an argument :-)
• The first place I visit in every city is its modern art museum!
• I once missed a flight even though I had arrived very early and was sitting in front of the gate for 6 1/2 hours. I was completely lost in my own world, thoughts, and book. The stewardess at the check-in desk told me that they had called me on the airport’s speakers. She couldn’t believe it that I was sitting right there all the time. She was kind enough to not charge me another ticket and put me on the next flight the following day.
• I look people in the eyes and try to feel their soul. This gets me into trouble some times because I can’t even describe the color of their hair later on :-)
• I’ve done the Inca Trail (4 day trek reaching an altitude of 4, 300m), dived with sharks in Mexico, ate at the sushi bars in Tokyo, took the Maglev in Shanghai, saw the New Year’s fireworks in Sydney, came really close to lions in India, got drunk in Seoul with locals, raved till dawn in Berlin, travelled around Cuba (wow!), Belize, etc., etc. So many countries; so many destinations; so many memories; so many many more places that I want to see and things to do.
• I will start conversations with random people on the train (my favorite mode of transportation), on the bus, in the street. It’s amazing how easy it is to start a conversation... all you have to do is smile :-)
• I seek adventure all the time, intrigued by the unknown, and always want to explore. I will change my travel plans on an impulse... get in the car and travel few hours just to have lunch with a friend and come back. Vancouver has good sushi :-)
• I live for challenges. I like to smile and see/make other people do the same. I love hugs and the free expression of emotions... I've even participated in the "free hugs" campaign :-)
• I am not great with peoples’ names, song/movie/book titles :-(
• I really enjoy little small restaurants, but I also appreciate fine dining and good wine. It all depends on the mood. I am a big believer of experiencing the spectrum of what life has to offer. I am more inclined towards dive bars with live gigs than posh lounges though.
• My attitude towards people is to treat them the way I would like to be treated.
• I am positive about life, always give the benefit of the doubt, and never fail to be optimistic.
• I like to smile and love people who do the same. I even have a tattoo to prove it :-)