CURRENT MISSION

what a question.

ABOUT ME

I am currently working as humanitarian and at the moment I am country director in DPRK (yes, you read well, North Korea) for an NGO called Handicap International. I moved to Korea in 2011, first working as event manager and translator in Seul, then getting a position in Pyongyang. Even though it could seem a strange and difficult place to live in, North Korea is allowing me to have a pretty normal life.
I live in the "diplomatic village", where all expats live, in a flat where at the moment I am the only inhabitant. My partner, who was here, moved back to Europe after the end of his mission.
When I don't work I like staying at home and taking care of my plants (pots and a small kitchen garden), reading books, listening to classical music (but also some rock!) and cooking for my friends. In winter I knit socks for friends and colleagues. I practice yoga as often as I can. I also enjoy very much organizing small events and parties for the community.
I like this very small environment -we're about 200 expats- where relationships are shaped by solidarity and respect.
I would love to be a good painter and photographer. Unfortunately I am really not good at it. On the contrary I enjoy very much writing on my website and on a couple of Italian and American sites where I usually publish essays focused on politics, sociology and real life.
I play the accordion, but not as often as I would like.

I love hosting people in my flat. Unfortunately since I moved here this is almost impossible. When I have guests I like them to feel at their ease and to move around the house without need to ask for permission.
When I am hosted I usually don't spend much time in the house, but I try to follow the rules of my host and to respect him/her.
I don't smoke but don't mind smokers.
I hate cheese but I survived among cheese-eater (so far, so good)
I like reading novels and science fiction, but sometimes I still indulge on Bordieu.
I listen to Baroque music and to the Clash. Sometimes also to Gotan Project. Lately I rediscovered Paolo Conte and the Gang of Four. In general I spend loads of time listening to music.
I like staying with people and listening to them. But I also talk a lot.
As I come from a big family I like friendly reunions and crowded family parties.
I love swimming, cycling, trekking, waking up in a "rifugio" after a long walk with my friends.
I want to see one new country every year. At least.
I'll stay in North Korea as long as it's good for me, and then I think I'll move to some Portuguese speaking country in Africa.

PHILOSOPHY

Trying to be honest and grateful. No new age attitude allowed.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING
I am couchsurfing because I want to meet people and not because I need a free couch. Therefore I expect this to be a participatory experience.

As long as I have been in Italy, I have been hosting whenever I could and showing surfers all the places I love in Bologna.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've surfed in England and in Paris: it was really great. I use to host people - both known and unknown- (used to do it even before joining cs) and I always enjoyed it.
I met some of my best friends in South Korea through CS!

Interests

International relations, gender issues, civil rights, international development and cooperation.

Theater and performing arts, somehow.

Independent Radios (still participating to a couple of italian webradios, even from so far away)

Staying with people!

Travelling and discovering places and people.

Alternative economy and fair trade. Organic productions.

Everything about different cultures (languages, dances, habits...)

• arts
• writing
• books
• theater
• performing arts
• dancing
• civil rights
• environment
• cooking
• cheese
• yoga
• partying
• gardening
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• knitting
• music
• classical music
• cycling
• swimming
• international relations
• languages
• science
• sociology

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Underground and Arizona Dream by E. Kusturica; La haine by M. Kassowitz. The lives of the others.

Music: Vincent Gallo, CocoRosie, Anthony and the Jonsons, lot of other stuff

Books: most of Douglas Adams' books, everything by Andrea Pazienza, Gramsci, Pratolini, Antonio Lobo Antunes, Jonathan Coe.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Living in Pyongyang city.

Trekking in the north of Thailand. In one of the small villages I was visiting I read the tarots to all the women thanks to the translation of a guy that knew English.

Teach, Learn, Share

At the moment I think that there's not much I could teach. Well, unless you want to improve the way you use your voice or things like that...
Ah. I can make good cakes. And bread.
I'd like to learn other languages and to learn different and typical ways of cooking. How to laugh about myself. How to dance Mambo. How to go on stilts and mono-cycle!!!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Any of the experiences listed above...

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Croatia, Cuba, France, Germany, Laos, Mozambique, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy, North Korea, Portugal, South Korea, United Kingdom

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