CURRENT MISSION

meet female solo travelers!
My couch is female only.

I have traveled a lot on my own and I know what it's like to be a girl alone.

ABOUT ME

Well, I am a piano builder in the lovely seaside city of Bergen. Before that I lived in Germany for 10 years. And before that (I like to say, "in my previous life") I was a teacher for the Deaf in the USA.

I also used to be married but am not anymore. That was a hard time, but in the past now. It taught me compassion for other people experiencing loss and loneliness. I am not afraid of hard topics.

Growing up years were spent on the family farm--a thing which I am very grateful for and miss; but since then I've been living more or less in or near cities, which do have their own niceties despite the lack of bovines.

Food preferences are vegetables and raw, but I eat many things people offer me, particularly when travelling. Once every couple of weeks I do love me pizza and a good beer.

Three things that bring joy and adventure to my life start with the letter b: bikes, books, and boats. My 1962 wooden sailboat "Bakfram" is my actual home. So if you would like to couchsail--it's not easy or romantic, but it is fun, and it will force you to slow down and ground! You do have to know what you're asking for: read in the "My Home" section--when you write your request, you MUST let me know that you have read this and that you're ok with the things listed there. I tend to respond more favorably to requests which indicate genuine interest in getting to know each other and enriching each other's lives.

I prefer to host for two or three nights. One night is always a bit short. BUT, I also can understand the emergency crash couch situation (I've been there)--and in fact sometimes one night fits better to my schedule. So just ask.

If you've read this far, I assume you see my offer as more than just a free place to stay. That's the idea. :)

PHILOSOPHY

Live deliberately. Simplify and slow down. Feed people. Extend love and compassion.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Only positive experiences, both surfing and hosting (more hosting than surfing). I believe in basic trust and in hospitality. Couchsurfing has allowed me to live out both of those values. There are a lot of good people around.

But I disagree with some things that couchsurfing is now that it did not used to be...but that mostly has to do with the website, particularly the facebook connection, interest tags, reference system, rating system, request system, 14-day reference window... Phone verification? Government ID verification? Whaaaa...? Trust me based on, first, your intuition...but then my reviews and my profile! I won't be submitting my address, phone number, or government ID.
I liked the simpler, older couchsurfing...

Interests

Nature--I do mushroom gathering, edible plant gathering, bushcraft, hiking, biking, sailing, sea kayaking, camping, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing; also (prior to boat life) gardening, vegetables, composting. I dream about a house with land where I can pursue these things.

Non-nature sports--marathon, cross training, yoga, triathlon.

Spirituality--tell me about your journey. I'm interested. I'm listening.

Funny little people (aka children) are some of my favorite humans on the planet!

Cooking--I like to think I'm pretty good at it, but even if you disagree, I enjoy it anyway!

Music, Movies, and Books

To more or less summarize my diverse interests in movies and books: movies, independent; books, nonfiction.
And music? Let's leave that for when you stay with me.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

watching a piano I built being played in a concert--that was pretty cool in retrospect, though I spent most of the actual concert in a state of high excitement/fear causing me to sweat through my dress

Teach, Learn, Share

Let's practice languages!

Let's cook!

Jam session anyone?!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Zentangle--if I (a person who sucks at drawing, for real) can do it, anyone can do it.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Hungary, Norway, United States

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