CURRENT MISSION

To exchange information and learn about couchsurfing.

ABOUT ME

My husband and I travel often. We go to Budapest every April for The Hungarian Judo Open. At that time we also like to travel to other places. This April we would like to visit both Hungary and Greece. I have an upcoming show at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh of a collection of shoes that were designed in Crete between 1941-1969 and I would like to touch-base with old acquaintances in Heraklion. To see the shoes visit the homage page I have created at www.vasilisshoes.org We prefer to make trips that last 2-3 weeks. And we would be happy to offer the futon in my husband's painting studio to travellers who would enjoy seeing the beauties of rural PA. Our town has a population of less than 800 and is located in a valley along the Allegheny River. We are about 120 miles from Pittsburgh, PA and about 145 miles from Cleveland, OH. But we are worlds away from everywhere here in this strange little town where we live. The beauty is astonishing; but also there is an 'edge' - real red-neck country in some ways. Hunting and fishing abound. We have a cultural association www.alleghenyriverstone.org of which we are among the founders. We are not far from the Allegheny National Forest and Cook's Forest. At our front door is the Justus Biking Trail a fabulous bike trail that follows the course of the Allegheny River. This is a good place for patient antique hunters - lots of stores, auctions, estate sales, thrift shops andsoforth. Not a gastromic capital - one needs must become one's own special events chef; but daily provender is available at various restaurants, bars, dives and counters.

PHILOSOPHY

Jae - Reading, writing, photography, ITC - I run a website for my shoes and for our arts council. Cooking is a passion.

Andor - Painting, teaching (painting), Judo and Juijitsu (7th Degree Black Belt in Judo and 9th in Juijitsu). Anthropological research regarding a specific theory involving Carpathian survival zones, etc. Performance and forensic hypnotism. Dowsing.

We both believe in the beauty of quotodian life. We are both collectors and artists. Life is fragile and depends to a great extent on luck.We both continue to learn and to teach.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have just joined today (September 22, 2009) so I haven't participated at all. I would imagine it could be interesting to work towards building this couch/surfing thing. I like the way it sounds.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

None. For five years we were part of a house exchange and had exchanges in Toronto and Seattle. These went well and we are still in touch with our Toronto hosts occasionally.

Interests

We are most interested in the things we have not previously done or examined.

• arts
• writing
• performing arts
• photography
• beauty
• cooking
• running
• thrifting
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• survival
• cycling
• fishing
• hunting
• surfing

Music, Movies, and Books

Andor reads non-fiction mostly regarding anthropology. Jae reads fiction voraciously - anything so long as it is good - Knopf, Penguin, Giroux, any reliable imprimateur. Bruce Wagner, Molly Keane, William Gibson, William Gaddis are authors I am reading this week. Love contemporary Japanese fiction. Read THE NEW YORKER every week since age 5. Read GRANTA when I can get it.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Andor escaped Hungary during the 1956 Freedom Fight. He has now been twice knighted for his heroism during that seige.

I'm excited about a collection of shoes that I own being scheduled for a show in April 2010 at The Andy Warhol Museum. My life has been a succession of amazement for me - I am easily pleased and satisfied. I often feel that the last great meal I had, was 'the best', etc.

Teach, Learn, Share

One can learn from anyone.

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