Hello and a humble welcome to my profile :)

CURRENT MISSION
I'm a 33 year old journalist, who throughout 2020 will travel The United States on my motorcycle.

I will cover the 2020 presidential election, meeting people from all strata of society and immerse myself in the american culture. Or rather cultures. Because it's no secret that at the bedrock of this single entity, we call the USA, there lies a far stretching pluralism.

I want to explore how that pluralism manifest itself in present day america.

So in this bio I will both give an introduction to what kind of dude I am, and tell a bit about this journalistic endeavor of mine.

ABOUT ME
The most difficult philosophical question first - Who am I?

Well, some of those, who know me, tells me I don't fit into any box or type. I'm usually reluctant to buy into that sort of description because it entails that the big mass of people can be put into generalized categories. And generalizations are something I try hard to avoid. But - being honest - I can also see what they mean.

In school I was not among the core in any particular crowd, but I was accepted in most. A feature that has followed me in my adult life. My best friends have very different values. Some are libertarians, while others are socialists, conservatives and anarchists. Likewise I can find myself at a punk concert one evening and at the opera the next.

What binds all of this together is my deeply rooted fascination for nerds of any kind. I love to see, when people are passionated and knowledegable about the stuff that interests them. A trait, I try to incorporate in my journalism as well.

Speaking of interests most of mine are very common: Love food, travling, movies, books and music. You know, the usual stuff :)

Of more specialized interests are photography, writing poetry and stories and exercising.

When traveling I enjoy meeting people, but also to find a quiet corner with my note book and reflect upon all sort of stuff. I also like to go exploring be it in nature, a big city, a museum or a historical site. So a very allround kind of traveler.

At first glance I think I come of as a bit serious, but that only last a short while. Then I start being more relaxed and then the dad jokes start - oh yes, better embrace yourself for those ;)

Whether you'll let me stay for one night or a couple of weeks I'll guarantee that I'm very grounded, easy going, responsible and respectful.

THE US ELECTION
Now a few words on my overall journalistic project, while I'm traveling the states.

First of all I want to go on this adventure - so to speak - because I'm absolutely fascinated by the country. I've been there trice in my life. The last time was on a 6 week road trip from San Diego, to New York though San Fransisco, to Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Yellowstone, Chicago and Detroit. And I love the people. Despite internally being a divided, americans are the most friendly and caring people, I've met. Call me naive, but that is my honest impression.

I will be covering the election for danish media, mostly TV 2 Denmark, my former workplace. But I aim to write a few pieces for some English-written news papers as well.

The bulk of my project however will be through my Youtube channel American Portraits. Here I will produce three kinds of content:

1) Interviews, where I will be posting a new person story each week.
2) Long portraits, where I will be following a handful of people through out the year
3) A vlog, where I will reflect upon my own experiences.

PHILOSOPHY
I've noticed a lot on CS share some form of their philosophy on their profile.
For that reason, I've written a poem, where I try to give you a sense of mine.

All floods wither, yet no rain is certain,
In the beginning we all had curtains.
Dots are always lying, yet only letters tell the truth.
Along the way we found a word for youth.
Diamonds are relative, yet rocks are not.
In the end we all do give a fuck.

And now I better end this avalanche of text.

Do feel free to contact me if you have further questions.
Or if you have a tip for a story I might want to look into :)

Yours truly

Here is my facebook
https://www.facebook.com/martinpoul.gangelhoffhansen.1

And you can follow my trip on:
- Youtube: American Portraits
- Instagram: @american_portraits
- Twitter: @2020_Portraits

Что привело меня на Couchsurfing

Generally for the experience.
For me it seems to be a more genuine way of traveling.
I mean, that before the airlines, agencies, railroads and steamboats, many people when traveling where depended on the hospitality of others. Either to share a hut or a campfire together.
Therefore it also seems to be a great way to meet people.
Some, whos company you only will enjoy in the moment and in the memories, others may turn out to become lifelong friends.

For my US trip specifically, I would be lying if I didn't say, that money is also an issue.
Honestly, I wouldn't be able to afford it, if I had to pay for accommodation myself.
So - with the risk of sounding cheesy - by letting me into your house, you are also helping sponsoring my journalism.

Интересы

What can I say... I'm a bit of a nerd

• photography
• journalism
• people
• stories
• and stuff

Музыка, кино и книги

Philip Pullman - his "Dark Materials" series.
Joe Abercrombie - his "First Law" trilogy
John Steinbeck - Everything he has written
Niel Gaiman - Haven't read all of his works, but I love everything so far
Carsten Jensen - We, the drowned
Betty Smith - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Henrik Pontoppidan - Lykke-Per
Jim Harrison - Legends of the Fall
Orson Scott Card - Enders Game
Dostojevski - Crime and Punishment
Viktor Frankl - Man's search for meaning

....Let's leave it with that :)
We can always pick up on movies and music. Love both. But books is what has earned my main attention.

Классная вещь, которую я сделал(-а)

Survived my teenage years

Учу, учусь, делюсь опытом и информацией

I know quite a bit on storytelling and journalism.
So if you have any interest in that or are in need of some feedback, I will be glad to help you out with that.

Чем я могу поделиться с хостами

Interesting talks and inputs on almost every topic in the world.
And I am fairly competent in a kitchen, so I'll gladly make you a dinner.

Где я побывал(-а)

Cambodia, Cuba, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Viet Nam

Где я жил(-а)

Denmark, United States