COUCHSURFING

One of the things I started doing last year this time was being a Couchsurfing host. I usually do this when I am not dating anyone regularly (as it does impose on privacy) and just get a need to have some "Kids " around... so I host mostly travelling college girls to fill my need to be a Mum once in awhile. Couchsurfing is an international networking site for people who love to travel (or meet those who do). It is intended to be a cultural exchange and a means to allow people to travel at less expense-- as you don't charge for letting them stay with you (although they usually bring me some wine, or chocolate or make a meal- although a Brazilian girl treated me to Cirque du Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall (which was fabulous!)when she came back a 2nd time). I have had guests from Taiwan, China, France and the U.S. You can go almost anywhere and look up hosts in an area for a place to stay.It is great to have someone tell you where to go in an area and how to get around and mutually share cultures.
I started hosting last year when I thought I might need a place in Rome to meet Arisia when she thought she'd meet her boyfriend there while he was playing in an orchestra for a few weeks.
That didn't happen- so I then thought I should host people to get good "references" for future travels of my own.
Although I mostly host young girls travelling alone or in pairs- I have had a mother and her 23 yr old son from Australia-(they travelled all through Europe and to Egypt mostly couchsurfing!)- and recently a 25 yr old girl and her mother from Brazil.Everyone who've stayed have been delightful. I have a special surrogate " daughter", Andrea- who is from Hamburg.She's stayed twice and is now studying art this semester in England- so hope to see again. Several others have come back a second time. Sometimes I go out with them to a pub or do some shopping or site seeing-- but as usually here during the week- I tend to cook for them (sort of) and just provide them with a safe comfy haven. I have a good size sofa bed and all modern conveniences here.Much nicer than a hostel !! They all seem to love me and I do feel good knowing they are safe. As for ME going "surfing "- I did it once- just for place when I had to go to a training a bit aways. Haven't had the time or money to go elsewhere on my own- but I am definitely thinking of it this summer- if only around England. There are not too many of us mature "surfers"- but there are a few. I also made friends with another local host, Ian-(52) who is now a very special (GBF)friend (except he is travelling all the time !!) People literally can go around the world this way if they plan things out properly. So we'll see....but in the meantime, I enjoy the company. Despite my unconventional lifestyle at times- I still enjoy being a " Mum and a Chum". So check out Couchsurfing.org.

More France MIsc.

Here's a few more shots- in Riems- and of course my friend pointing out the all important streetside condom vending machine:)

More France

Here's some shots of the Champagne houses and the giant cask in one.

Reims,France FEB.2010

One of the most delightful things about living in London- is that the rest of Europe is only a few hours away. I recently went to the champagne area of France with a friend. We drove to the "CHUNNEL"- and our car was driven onto a train of sorts which took us under the English channel . Amazing! Only about an hour. Then from there we drove 2hours to Reims. Reims is a good-size city-but the surrounding area is filled with vineyards for champagne. So we spent the next day and a half driving round the countryside.It was cold, wet and rather bleak as the vineyards barren now- but you could just imagine them in the summer- would be gorgeous countryside.We drove thru little villages that appeared abandoned- but charming.People close up from 12- 3 there for midday meal and I think a short siesta. The French we met were charming and lovely to us. One man in a restaurant really didn't speak English- but kept looking up words on his computer to try to carry on a conversation with my companion about English football teams.Pretty funny.
We also met a young man serving in an Irish pub (though no Irish there) -- I asked him how to say F**K in French (one must know these things:) and he said that was his name-- Foque. Poor guy. But he was really sweet and we went back the next nite.Never did get the French translation.
Unfortunately, we didn't have our act together enough to actually reserve for a tour of any of the champagne houses- (though the ones in Reims were massive and gorgeous- there were several wide avenues that house them one after the other.). Did get in a couple tastings and got to see just the main reception area of one big one.
The other big adventure was going to a fancy gourmet restaurant. Of course, with my "taste disorder" and the items that I could translate from the menu- I was sure I'd have to go without supper. Almost everything was either the head or entrail of something. Agh!And they actually WERE serving steak tartare--- piles of RAW hamburger it appeared-- But after some frustrating negotiation and language issues-they gave up on me ordering from the menu and made me- I think- a special dish-- simple duck and potatoes. Very good.
I would love to go back in the summer and do the house tours and see it again. And it was great just being in a car and DRIVING aimlessly in the country.And again- fabulous to be in a totally different culture in just a few hours.