CURRENT MISSION Keep moving! Travel the world whenever I can, enjoy the company of the people who inhabit it, and do some good along the way. ABOUT ME In my mind, I have travelled around the world, but due to limited money and days off work, that's not how it is in reality (although I've visited some cool places). That's why, while I'm at home in The Hague, I love to travel the world in my own living room, by reading books, sending postcards to places all over the world, and hosting travellers. I'm very interested in other people and you will usually find me listening more than talking. I may be a bit shy in the beginning, but nevertheless I like to have people around. It just takes a while for me to warm up sometimes. I grew up in different places and towns in the Netherlands, both rural and urban areas. For the last 10 years, I've been living in The Hague - with the proximity of the sea (2-3 km from my place) as one of the major advantages. PHILOSOPHY Wie het kleine niet eert, is het grote niet weerd. (Who doesn't appreciate the small things, doesn't deserve the big ones.) It's just nice to get your happiness out of small things, such as a good meal, a friendly person, or a nice postcard. Een dag niet gelachen is een dag niet geleefd. (A day without laughter is a day without life.) Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
对烘焙感兴趣
对啤酒感兴趣
流利使用英语
正在学习德语
我为什么使用Couchsurfing
HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING Generally as a host. Occasionally surfing. And very very rarely, attending CS events. COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE After more than 10 years of hosting through CS, I think I can say it is part of my lifestyle. In general, it is a wonderful community. In my opinion, it is not so much about free accommodation (though that is a nice thing as well), but to connect with local people. I like to host people (and stay with people) who share this idea about CS. To make sure that people know who they're going to be staying with, I've hidden a password somewhere on my profile. Please mention that password in your request.
音乐、电影与书籍
Music: quite a bit. Rock, symphonic/gothic/power metal, folk, some jazz, singer-songwriter. Queen, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, R.E.M., Lana del Rey, Billie Eilish, Dool, Nightwish. And many other things. But please introduce me to your favourite artist as well. Love to listen to old vinyl records. Books: old and new, fiction and non-fiction. Fiction: literature, some fantasy and sci-fi. Non-fiction: psychology, travelling/adventures, history, science. Lifelong fan of the Harry Potter novels.
我做过的一件令人惊叹的事
* Being a host for more than 200 people (not everyone left a reference though) * Raising €4.000 for the Ronald McDonald Foundation by running a 52 km ultramarathon * Working as a travel guide for a few summers, in England and Scandinavia * Hiking for 17 days in a row to the Mount Everest Base Camp, without shower * Running a half marathon in Longyearbyen, Svalbard * Accidentally competing in the Belgian national Championship while doing my first 1/2 triathlon (in the pouring rain) * Visiting Petra (Jordan) when the world was just opening up after the covid pandemic, and having the place almost to myself * Getting awfully drunk at my friends' wedding on Friday, then showing up for (and completing) an obstacle run on Saturday morning and a 1/8 triathlon on Sunday * Becoming an aunt to four wonderful nephews No Insta, but Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/56681054
教学、学习、分享
Teach: * The basics of the Dutch language * How to knit Christmas balls * An introduction to the best (and worst) Dutch music * Sleeping in a hammock (I challenge you!) Learn: * Whatever you want to teach me...? Share: * Food, beer, wine, cookies, ice cream, chocolate * The best running routes in my city - along the beach and in the dunes * Travel and adventure stories
我能与房东分享的
* I can bring you a nice (or tasty) souvenir from The Netherlands. Or from the place I visited before reaching you. It all depends on the space in my backpack. * My skills in cooking, baking, cleaning, washing up. Anyone up for some pancakes?
我的兴趣
For quite a few years, I've been a passionate runner. If you visit The Hague because you want to participate in a local run, I would be even more happy to host you than usual. I'll probably be running as well... I am also quite intrigued by people who are on a long-distance hike, run or bike trip - your stories may convince me to start another adventure - and in return for those stories I can start a washing machine, store your bike in the basement, and offer a warm shower. Subjects I like to talk about: travels, books, music, (modern) history, politics, science, philosophy, food. And probably some other subjects I forget to mention now. Generally, my problem is being interested in too many things, rather than not interested at all. So if you happen to know an awful lot about a particular subject, and want to share it with me, you're more than welcome.
