CURRENT MISSION

In the summer 2025: have a nice rest in my dearest France and organize a short stay in Germany (after trips throughout the country last three summers) and work on my German.
Derzeit, ist die deutsche Sprache die schönste der Welt für mich! Mit... Französisch ;-)
Keep alive my Italian and my Japanese, become fluent in Spanish

Overall: Live in the here and now and keep smiling :-)

ABOUT ME

I am a dreamer but I am not the only one :-)
Cheerful and full of good energy, I try to stay positive, smiling and easy going. My favorite word is kindness. I think I am tolerant and respect all differences. I love meeting new people, sharing ideas and discovering other cultures' richness and wisdom. I am a good listener. I am against violence and racism and I dislike selfishness and impolite behavior. I am not interested in drugs, I don't smoke and don't appreciate heavy drinking (though a cold German beer (preferably Weissbier Naturtrüb :) a glass of good wine or a good sake has always been a pleasant experience).

PHILOSOPHY

We all have to live together, so we might as well live together happily.
Dalai Lama

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

By meeting wonderful people and sharing a smile and positive energy!

I am back on CS after a long break due to Covid travel restrictions and some family obligations. In Edinburgh, I share a very small flat with someone so no couch available, sorry. But as soon as I find a new place, I would be delighted to welcome visitors.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE
I have met people who became really good friends so I am going to continue :-)))

Interests

Nature and environment protection, natural way of life, hiking, birdwatching, gardening, meditation and relaxation techniques, spirituality, mostly Buddhism (Sōtō Zen and Jōdo-shū) and Taoism. I also have deep respect and love for Native American culture and spiritual values. What else? Volunteering, human rights, history, foreign languages and cultures, travelling. And also cinema, photography, art, music, Internet and books, books, books :-)
My greatest passions over last years have been Japanese language, culture, places, people, food and anything Japanese and, the very same about Germany. I love speaking and reading in Italian and Spanish: I adore Spain and enjoy Argentinian music and cinema :-)

• dogs
• arts
• culture
• books
• photography
• human rights
• cooking
• wine
• meditation
• gardening
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• camping
• buddhist
• teaching
• languages
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

There are just too many movies and books I like ;-)
Apart from classical music, some other things I listen to: blues and jazz especially Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Eva Cassidy; Enka (Misora Hibari, Ishihara Yujiro, Sugawara Yoichi, Frank Nagai etc); Buffy Sainte Marie; Mercedes Sosa, Facundo Cabral; Leonard Cohen, Tanita Tikaram; Barbara Streisand; Vangelis, Ennio Morricone, film soudtracks in general, Jean-Michel Jarre, Kitaro; la chanson francaise and especially Léo Ferré, Jacques Brel, Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Serge Lama, Véronique Sanson, Michel Berger et France Gall, Particia Kaas; Lucio Battisti and also cheesy Spanish and Italian songs (everyone has their weaknesses ;-)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Went 12 times to Japan and visited 46 out of 47 Japanese prefectures. And after all those years and trips not only I never got bored but am even more in love with the place and people than before. To me Japan is the most wonderful place on Earth !

Last three summers I travelled troughout Germany and, adding this to my previous and numerous trips, I have been nearly everywhere ;-) This summer I want to complete my German travel map and come back to some beloved locations. Bis bald!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can show you relaxation exercices, give advise about meditation and how to work with overwhelming emotions/random thoughts. We can share our knowledge about travelling (best ways of organizing trips, packing, saving money etc.)
I am a qualified teacher with years of experience so if you want to practice French or English... Sharing a chat in Spanish, Italian or Japanese will be my pleasure :-)
I have been studying Japanese for some years (my level used to be around JLPT 3) but I haven't practiced since my last trip (2020) so forgot quite a bit :-(
I like discovering and learning new things :-)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am always keen on sharing a smile :-) a story and my thoughts; life and traveling experiences and cultural/practical info about places I've been to. I am not much of a cook I'm afraid but I love discovering new dishes, I also like learning and helping, cleaning and washing dishes. I love gardening and would be delighted to walk your dog if you have one (by any weather ;-)
I also did some cat-sitting for friends.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Japan, Poland, United Kingdom

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