CURRENT MISSION

"be the change you want to see in the world" (or, on a more basic level, improve my spoken and written English and Spanish)

ABOUT ME

"Those of you who think you know everything are very annoying to those of us who do"
Even if I know everything (or try to), I'm not politically active, - what I try to do is live in a relatively enviroment friendly manner, striving to keep my ecological footprint as light as possible. I'm still inconsequent about this, though, as I take the luxury of flying out of beautiful Norway once or twice a year.
Things I enjoy: music, visual arts, home decorating, cooking, salsa dancing, would love to learn how to tango ;-)
I live with my daughter (20 years old) some kilomtres out of Bergen, and seem to have brought her up to be a recycling fanatic, a great cook and a sweet and wonderful person. A lot more sweet and wonderful than her mom, anyway, although I guess I can be perceived as witty at times, smart when computers are not involved, and a reliable/responsible person. What else can I tell you? As a house guest I try to be considerate and help out, am not into excessive partying and like a good night's sleep, but definitely enjoy sharing a meal and some red wine with nice people.
I prefer guests who do not spend ALL of my hot water by taking hours of showers...
And yes, you may use my computer, but I'd like you to ask first ;-D
Until you tell me, I do not know what you look for by contacting me - a couch? a coffee? a guide? Go ahead and tell me!
And, no, I don't know what you want to see in Bergen. I could suggest things, but I take no responsibility for you liking what I like. A little research is a good thing before arriving, especially for you, dear surfer...
Like everybody else, I'm vain enough to enjoy the feeling of Being Special. Cut-and-paste-mails which bear no sign of the writer having read my profile AT ALL, are rather unlikely to make it. Come on, put some effort into it! (but, then again, don't overdo it :-D)

PHILOSOPHY

"Variety is not the spice of life, it's the very essence of it"

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Both ways, some hosting and some surfing

Interests

Music, arts, dancing now and then. Too much time spent on Facebook.
I'm trying to learn how to paint in pastels, and that's probably going to take me several years. But hopefully I've got plenty of time...

• arts
• writing
• perfumes
• dancing
• salsa dancing
• tango
• cooking
• wine
• red wine
• coffee
• partying
• flying
• traveling
• painting
• music
• surfing
• tourism
• visual arts

Music, Movies, and Books

Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch, Jan Garbarek, quite a few jazz singers, several folk and rock artist, various Norwegian artists, plus whatever you care to mention from the seventies. Choir music. Reading: Douglas Adams, Steinbeck, Neruda, Roald Dahl, Hemingway, Christopher Hitchens etc. (plus several Norwegian authors and artists you've probably never heard of ;-D)
Screen-wise: Monty Python, Carlos Saura, romantic comedy and Jane Austen movies (with or without Keira Knightley). Must admit to a certain weakness for Johnny Depp and the voice of Alan Rickman... and still get a good laugh out of Big Bang Theory etc. Easy to please!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Love. Can't be beaten. Otherwise, nothing too flashy, though I suppose the Alhambra is rather high on the list (and I guess I could also mention several people, glaciers and places in Norway and elsewhere ;-D)

Among amazing musical experiences, let me mention two: The SIWAN project, as rendered in Grieghallen during Festspillene 2008. Singer Amina Alaoui, musicians like Jon Balke, Jon Hassell, Bjarte Eike, etc. - thank you, thank you, thank you. Balsamic, meditational, flow experience.
And from this year and other years: the heart-filling "Folkofon"-performances which cannot possibly be described in words... go ahead and google Folkofon, folks! Or start here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87MBhiiNSI8

Teach, Learn, Share

What can be taught on those few days in question?? A little Spanish grammar, perhaps? Hardly anything substantial. Instead, let me teach you a couple of things about Norway right now: Yes, Norway is expensive. Alcohol is particularly expensive. My couch, however, is free, so don't take it out on me. (Sorry if I sound harsh, but I'm a little tired of tourists whining about the Norwegian prices...)

Now, Western Norway in general: The fjords are amazing if you're into that sort of thing, but to us they are a commonplace piece of salt water that can be seen a number of places here on the West coast, no need for long excursions. For travel tips in the fjords, see www.fjordnorway.com and for specific ferries/bus transport see www.tide.no (has English version) or www.fjord1.no (Norwegian only)

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Chile, Cuba, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Norway

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