ABOUT ME

We are a couple living in Oslo searching for new adventures and friends all over the world. This Spring we're travelling to Japan, and since our previous Couchsurfing-experiences have been nothing less than amazing, we wish to do the same in Japan.

We have had a few years-hiatus from Couchsurfing (due to changing living-situations, living in Australia for fieldwork, sublease etc.) – but we wish to become active members of the Couchsurfing-community again, and hope to provide just as good surfing-experiences that we have gotten from our previous hosts.

We are married and been together for twelve years. Håkon studies Law and Karen has a master's degree in Social Anthropology, now working in the translation business. In our spare time we like to read, go on hikes, cook, hang out with friends – and studying Japanese, but so far we only know Hiragana and Katakana, and a few Kanji.

PHILOSOPHY

Keep an open mind and be kind.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Meeting new people and sharing experiences through travel and opening our home to others.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

In Russia: Moscow, Nizjnij Novgorod and Irkutsk.

Interests

We enjoy both lazy Sundays watching movies and ten episodes of The Good Wife or The Wire, as well as long hikes in the mountains, sailing, karaoke with friends and playing boardgames like Scrabble and UNO.

Random facts:
As a leader of a student organisation, Håkon arranged for Martin Sheen and Dalai Lama to come to Oslo for talks, and he has worked for Médecins Sans Frontières.

Karen used to host radio shows at the local student radio station, and have run half-marathons (currently a full marathon seems way to daunting a challenge). Until very recently Karen was a dedicated Pokemon Go-player (lvl 38), but she'd love to go catching 'em all if you play as well (!!)

• culture
• cooking
• yoga
• running
• comics
• anime
• reading
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• manga

Music, Movies, and Books

1Q84, Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby

Jon Hopkins, Tool, Pearl Jam, Queens of the Stone Age, Shining, Fleetwood Mac, NERD, Håkan Hellström, Mars Volta

Reservoir Dogs, Face Off, The Wire

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Håkon: I've seen the Northern Lights – amazing!

Karen: Snorkled the Great Barrier Reef – a must-do thing, before it completely deteriorates.

Teach, Learn, Share

Karen has a particular interest in anything Australian and Japanese – if you do too, let's talk manga, politics and the Great Barrier Reef.

Håkon is a music/sound-nerd, which implies a fondness for good loudspeakers and the occasional mixing on the turntable. We'd love to exchange music, movie and book-tips – maybe we can go on a concert together?

Do you want to learn about Norway? Norwegians are always flattered if anyone knows about our little country, so do ask if you're interested ;)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Good conversations and lots of laughs

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Mongolia, New Zealand, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, France, Norway