Hi, I'm Jan 👋!

I’m a curious adventurer with an open mind, always eager to explore new ideas and experiences, yet grounded enough to appreciate life’s simple joys.

You'll often find me exploring the globe—I'm especially drawn to the rich history and charm of former Second World countries. True to my love for sustainable travel, I steer clear of flying whenever I can.

I'm an outdoor enthusiast at heart, rarely cooped up indoors. Whether I'm in a park or testing my limits on a climbing wall, being active and connected to nature fuels me.

Oh, and I’m a proud vegetarian 🌱! I firmly believe humans can flourish without meat—living proof that a plant-powered life is both fulfilling and delicious.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To connect with fascinating people, discover diverse cultures and enjoy life in general.

Interests

• culture
• folklore
• motorcycles
• chess
• bouldering
• cycling
• camping
• cartography
• hitchhiking
• travelling
• nature
• climbing
• trains
• boardgames
• vegetarian cooking

Music, Movies, and Books

🎵 Music:
Swallow the Sun, The Cure, David Bowie, Type O Negative, Gojira, Depeche Mode, Opeth, Lana Del Rey, Siouxsie, Kino

Most genres I can enjoy, I would love to hear some music from your country!

🎞️ Movies:
Trainspotting, The Wicker Man, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

At my local art cinema (Forum or ORKZ) here in Groningen I like to discover new (old) movies .

📚 Books:
Some of my favourites:
The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Discovery of Heaven by H. Mulisch, The Dinner by H. Koch

I also love a good thriller!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

While...
...hitchhiking through the remote landscapes of Kyrgyzstan, we found ourselves stranded 30 kilometers from the nearest sign of civilization, with no cell service to call for help. The journey took an unexpected turn when the couple giving me a ride got their car hopelessly stuck in a deep patch of mud. With no tools in sight, we rolled up our sleeves and plunged our bare hands into the earth, digging and clawing at the mud until, against the odds, we managed to free the car.
...navigating Georgia in a rental car, we found ourselves on treacherous, rain-soaked roads that seemed to grow more dangerous with every turn. The mud was slippery, the slopes steep, and each twist felt like a gamble with gravity. It wasn’t until later that I discovered these very roads had been featured on the Dutch TV show "De Gevaarlijkste Wegen van de Wereld"—aptly titled "World's Most Dangerous Roads"!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can...
... 🏙️ give you tips what to see in the city, and maybe show you around if I have time.
... 🎒 give you tips about what to see in the countryside around Groningen.
... 🎵 give you some good tips for finding (alternative) music in Groningen.
... 👨‍🏫 help you practice Dutch.
... 🧩 play a boardgame from my collection with you.
... 🧗‍♂️ take you climbing or bouldering if you'd like.
... 🚲 lend you a bicycle, or we could have a trip together!

What I Can Share with Hosts

We can...
... 🌍 share stories about our travels and life experiences.
... 🍳 cook a (Dutch) dish together.
... ♟️ have a chess match.
... ❓ partake in an activity of your liking, for example your hobby. I love to try new things!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands