Hi, I'm a French artist living in Kyoto, Japan since 1999 (... also working as a tour guide and language teacher.)

After raising a family of 2 boys with their Japanese mom, I am now single and enjoy travelling again as I used to do in my younger years, 26 countries on all continents now (except Antartica!) ; D ... It feels essential to me to make life worth living, by meeting people and continue discovering how amazing this planet is !
I'm primarily interested in making new friends, exploring local cultures and arts, and enjoying breathtaking Nature...

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing seems to me the best way to meet these needs while saving the money for what's important rather than expensive accommodation, but I must say I've only requested twice to be hosted: I usually receive people... I'm a very easy-going person who can sleep about anywhere (old sofa, etc.), loves to cook and help for anything, and love chatting about any subject around a drink, esp. related to "being Human": philosophy, society, culture and politics, places we've visited etc...
I have received dozens of travellers in my house in Kyoto, most of them very cool and interesting, you can read their reviews on my profile... ; )
I'm always happy to make new friends, host them and help them to visit Kyoto (it's my job), but please forgive me if I don't always respond: so many people want to visit Kyoto nowadays that I can't reply to everyone.
But I'd still always be happy to meet you for a drink, invite you to a party, or provide some help or advice if you need ... Welcome to Kyoto ! ; D

Interests

• culture
• live music
• philosophy
• art

Music, Movies, and Books

I love a large array of Music styles, but mostly around Jazz, Funk, Latin and African musics, bewitching ancient traditions like didjeridoo or Pygmee polyphonies... but can enjoy some meaty rock or electronic stuff too of course.
I love cinema in all styles, always in a theatre when possible, and I always enjoy learning things from articles or documentaries on the radio, internet or in books...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The most extraordinary experience I've ever had was hiking up the Virunga volcanoes in Rwanda and meeting the mountain gorillas, even being charged by one ! Fascinating people... Yes: people. That's really how it felt, being received in their home !
But I have a lot other crazy stuff to share with you if we meet... ; )

Teach, Learn, Share

As a French living in Japan I can teach a lot about both languages and cultures, and also about drawing, illustration and art since it's been my job for 25 years !... : )

What I Can Share with Hosts

As a long term resident and a guide in Kyoto, I can share all the tips necessary to move around the city, my secret spots as well as events and parties with friends, a bicycle or 2, and of course my whole house with a private guest room + kitchen, bathroom and wifi...

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Guam, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Rwanda, Senegal, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Japan, United States