I have been meeting people, learning from them and passing on the good parts as much as possible. It sometimes has been a humbling, stumbling, enlightening journey - because I never accomplished anything great in my life, other than simple living and continuing to learn.

I was born in the Netherlands, and started travelling the world when I was around 16 years old. At that time, online there was no social media, no smartphones, and most places had little or no internet access. So other than a few clues online and from books, I had to actually meet people and talk to them. That started 20 years ago; I still keep the original spirit alive, even in the tide of changes.

A few years ago when I returned to my island home town by the beach on the North Sea, and I've been spending most my time growing vegetables, fruit, making tea, writing poetry and playing music. And studying history more deeply to understand all the countries I have been to, and reflect on my experiences also from that perspective.

I keep my needs and wants simple; it helps keep things uncomplicated and frees me up to be more open to and have more time for the rest of life.

Por qué estoy en Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing got me around the world at one point, and it was mostly a positive experience – I would like to give pass on some of that positivity when I am at home, and continue to learn from people when traveling.

Intereses

Tea, 'do-nothing' gardening (wild vegetables and fruit trees), nature, hiking, music, history, etc

I am m interested in how people find different ways to live and educate themselves, so have more time to enjoy their life. Having seen many examples of this during my travels, it is one of the things that continues to inspire me. Simplicity and sustainability come in many different forms, depending on time, place and people.

Música, películas y libros

Whatever resonates with me...could be anything, really. If i like something, I like it, and it is usually hard to explain why I like it, but if someone asks me to explain I will do my best.

I like the sound of Japanese and Chinese string instruments like Koto, Guqin, Erhu, Shamisen, etc. I only play fretless bass and guitar myself, and my approach is like a drum or other rhythmic instrument, so it I like the inspiration I get from these other kinds of stringed instruments.

Algo increíble que he hecho

My entire (in)experience is the one amazing thing in my life that continues to inspire.

The things I've done that other people sometimes have found amazing:
Climbing mountains in winter by moonlight, driving a one-speed folding bike through a typhoon in Japan, designing and stitching a complete backpack with a single 70 year old needle and thread and vintage cloth, and traveling the world with it (I have since retired it, but it is still in good condition and all the memory is with myself), and more.

Qué puedo ofrecer a los anfitriones

Tea, simple food, a walk throigh the dunes, forest and by the North Sea. Good conversation, possibly even play a song for you or improvise music together.

Países que he visitado

China, India, Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, Russian Federation, South Korea, United States

Países en los que he vivido

India, Japan, Netherlands, Taiwan, United States