I grew up in Belgium, but moved to the USA as a young adult. I am a dual citizen of both countries. My children are from Vietnam and my wife is from the Chicago area. We love to travel and have been in many places. I am pretty adapable to different countries and cultures. We try to live like the locals wherever we go. I find that most people, anywhere in the world, are generally just good people.

Within the US, I have lived in Texas, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and Colorado. I love the Rocky Mountains, but I miss the ocean.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have been staying almost exclusively in AirBnB in recent years. That gives a somewhat betterinsight in the culture of the place I am visiting, but the "commercial" relationship detracts from the real experience. I hope coachsurfing will help me better understand other culutrues and people. I love the human connection, especially with people from a different background than my own.

Interests

My main hobby is cycling. I ride a roadbike in the Rocky Mountains and do some pretty long rides. I use a cross country bicycle for my commute from the office (10 miles one way).

My second major interest is sailing. Both hobbies give me the experience of freedom, which also explains my travel interest. I have traveled to Tibet, which was an incredible experience. I also really enjoyed Japan, because of the old traditions and remarkable culture. Thailand is a favorite because the people are so friendly and welcoming. Plus the food is great.

My boating experience in Doubtful Sound and tramping the Routeburn Track made my trip to New Zealand a very memorable one. I think back very fondly of the hospitable kiwis. I actually have enjoyed my visits to the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa. There are wonderful people everywhere you look.

• culture
• dining
• instructor
• boating
• traveling
• cycling
• sailing
• track and field
• languages
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I love the music of the 80s, incuding the disco music and rock bands. I also enjoy classical music and the classical guitar.

I generally watch movies for relaxation, so I like comedies, as long as they are not too silly.

I can't seem to find the time to read fiction. My reading is mostly non-fiction about business, sailing, everything bicycle and anything else that catches my eye.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Sailed a sailboat across the Caribbean Sea from Curacao to Jamaica. I crewed on the boat of a friend, and it gave me a total appreciation for the trade winds and how they helped Columbus reach the Caribbean. The trip took 3 days and 3 nights of continuous sailing. It really was an amazing experience.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am not a language instructor, but I am happy to help hosts converse in the languages that I speak. I would love to practice my very rudimentary Spanish with a Spanish speaking host. I also would like to learn more about sailing, since I live far away from an ocean.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I believe that one should leave a place at least as nice as one found it. Picking up after myself is a given. I greatly appreciate the hospitality of anyone offering me a "couch", so I try my best to be a helpful and unobtrusive guest. I look forward to sharing some time or a meal with hosts, but I definitely need some time to myself as well.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Ecuador, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Viet Nam, Virgin Islands, British

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, United States