Muharrem has made friends with everybody. I am sitting outside the Kuggen with
him and Birgita and Ossi, drinking. Yesterday he held a dinner party for Laura
and Jeremy from California, who I belive are Lindy Hop teachers. I don't think
he knew them two days ago.

Birgita owns the flat I am staying in and Ossi normally lives in it. Ossi has
provided oriGINal which is gin and tonic in a can. He showed me how to use the
washing machine and offered me his 3G internet (but it didn't work). Birgita's
reaction to the molten coffee pot was to buy us a new one. Ossi's reaction to
the overflowing rubbish and washing up was "I am the janitor; I will take care
of it. It will not happen again." It seems we can do no wrong in this company!

Among the dancers there are many who now greet me by name. I have no idea who
they are or whether I have met them before, and it is increasingly
embarrassing. I'm not sure if I have a memorable deformity or if I am just
unusually stupid. If they are also sensitive about their dancing (and who isn't)
then it is easy to cause offence. I am making a big effort not to ask people
their names until I am sure I can distinguish them from the other 700 people
here. One really good dance is usually enough.

Cat and Alex did an evening class on floorcraft the other day (which is the
skill of not bumping into each other). Very good class. I heard people who
didn't previously know them saying that it was perfectly judged. Mark one up
for British teachers. But it must be said that they are still outclassed by the
official camp teachers. Peter Strom and Naomi are my current favourites.

I got a compliment from the teacher (Åsa) today, in front of the whole class. I
am particularly chuffed because we were learning a solo move, which is meant to
look nice: an area where I lack confidence. So now I am teacher's pet. I can
work with that.

There is a bring-and-buy behind the Kuggen. I bought all the fridge magnets I
can find, for Helen. There were only two and they were 1 crown (about 10p)
each. Utterly tasteless 80s tat. Delightful.

I am eating four meals a day plus snacks. I wolfed a curry at 3am last night.
I am also feeling quite short of sleep. I am not alone; our class (first with
Stephen Mitchell and Sara Deckard) was noticeably smaller this morning. I wrote
down what I remembered but it's probably nonsense! Managed to steal two hours'
sleep before the second class, which helped a great deal.

It is cabaret night tonight, which is always a good laugh. I have no costume
for the party tomorrrow. It's just not a priority, I'm afraid. I'll probably
just dress smartly.