CURRENT MISSION

look beyond the familiar

ABOUT ME

I enjoy good conversation, the company of others as well as my own; not afraid of expressing my opinions and like people who do the same; at the same time relaxed and easy going; considerate and expect the same in return.

I am a great dancer, but don't go to clubs or parties any more. I've practiced yoga and did some shiatsu , sadly now out of practice.

PHILOSOPHY

Nothing ventured, nothing gained....anyway disasters tend to bring their own unexpected benefits.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I offer a quiet small room (looking out onto the garden) to people who would like to explore the creative and (multi) cultural aspects of London.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Surfed mainly (although not exclusively) on couches provided by friends or friends of friends....nothing like experiencing a country from the home of a local.

Interests

Visual Arts, Photography, Film (mostly independent / Art), Contemporary Jazz, World Music, avantgarde
History, Literature, Equality, Feminism, Human Rights, Shiatsu.

• arts
• books
• literature
• photography
• documentaries
• dancing
• human rights
• womens rights
• yoga
• partying
• clubbing
• gardening
• tv
• music
• jazz
• world music
• history
• visual arts

Music, Movies, and Books

Vinterberg's Festen, Zhang Yimou's Raise the Red Lantern, M Kassowitz' La Haine, Hanneke's The White Ribbon, anything by Tarkovsky, Louis Malle, Jim Jarmush
also the charming My Life as a Dog, etc, etc.

Monk, Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, David Ware, Don Pullen, Ifang Bondi, Boubacar Traore, etc.

The Poisonwood Bible, Morrisons's Beloved, Duras' Contre Un Barrage Pacifique, Al Sadaawi"s The Face of Eve, etc

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

overnight unofficial border crossing into Ethiopia in truck with liberation fighters during the civil war;

interviewed European neo-fascist activists for TV documentary

Teach, Learn, Share

ways of seeing, sharing my experiences of working with diverse communities in London's inner city areas, appreciation/ experience of other cultures / histories

teach / learn photoshop (CS5), experience with photographic equipment / preparing for exhibitions, publications, etc.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My collection of music and photography books, my experiences, my garden.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Netherlands, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Spain, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Austria, France, United Kingdom