I live close to Helsinki city centre, by the sea, about 2 km from most passenger ports. My home is also close to the design district with many vintage and second-hand shops, and to Hietalahti flea market. For more exact location, see my nearest tramway stop "Munkkisaari" (line 6) in your favourite map application.

I don't always no my availability for long time in advance. You can send a request a month or a week before, if you wish, but sometimes I know only a day or two before whether I will be able to host or not.

I like both guests who want to spend time with the host (if I have time), maybe to go to see the city or some sights together, or to a pub, but also the ones who are fine with a bed, shower and wi-fi and with some small conversation over a cup of tea or a glass of beer/wine. Late arrivals and early departures are usually fine, I try to be flexible when possible (you can come even in the middle of the night, if needed).

My home is just one room and it is not big but I have a bed for guests. I have sometimes a dog or two here - and if not, at least there is dog hair somewhere. I hope you are not allergic to or afraid of dogs.

I don't usually know my schedule for long time in advance and hence I prefer requests just one or few days before arrival. I sometimes accept last minute requests from couch request groups such as Helsinki-Vantaa-Espoo Emergency Couch Request.

I don't mind if you speak bad English. I have already hosted many. We can combine that with my elementary Russian, bad Swedish, or so-so Spanish. Somehow one can always find ways to communicate. French I speak rather well (and English and Finnish, of course).

I understand that you often have to send lots of requests so I am not expecting highly personalized ones. Copy-pasted one or a oneliner is fine. If you can get my first name correct that's nice already.

I am Christian (Lutheran) but guests can be of any denomination or religion or of none at all. I will not proselytize and I hope that you will neither.

LGBTQ (and any other letter) people welcome: I may not always be up to date with all the vocabulary but I am friendly to everybody.

I have sometimes a dog here.

I am fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I mostly host. Particularly I like returning guests. Hence, if you have stayed with me before you are the most welcome again.

Interests

• dogs
• environment
• sauna
• christian
• geography
• tea
• vaccinated

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have hosted 400+ guests on different hospitality exchange networks, mostly here in CouchSurfing.

Teach, Learn, Share

If you get hosted by me you might end up in my Instagram @nlipsane. I hope that you don't mind.

Tea is always available, and maybe something with it. We can cook together, if you wish, or go to have dinner in some of the many restaurants nearby (but beware: restaurants in Helsinki are expensive).

Wi-Fi available.

If we cook together, I eat almost anything but not mushrooms or mustard. Also, I don't like very cheesy foods. I eat meat but not every day so vegetarian/vegan cooking is good too.

SAUNA!
I recommend trying Finnish sauna. There are plenty of options. Prices range from completely free to cheap and to damn expensive. It can be mixed, females/males only, or private. With swimming pool, swimming in the sea (any season), or no swimming. Wooden heated or electric. In swimwear or naked. Available options and combinations may depend, however, on the season and on the days of the week that you are here.

Countries I’ve Visited

Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Martinique, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Åland Islands

Countries I’ve Lived In

Dominica, Finland, Spain

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