I live in Sülldorf, a quiet corner of Hamburg where my balcony looks out over a horse paddock. It's a bit off the map — but Hamburg-Blankenese is not far away, the S1 takes you to the city center in 30 minutes, and you can even ride it straight from the airport in about an hour. A good base if you want Hamburg without the noise.

I work remotely as a software developer, which means I get to design my own days. When I'm not at the laptop, I'm usually outside — walking, in the sauna, cooking something proper, or deep in conversation with someone who has interesting things to say.

I'm the kind of person who'll give you space to settle in and then somehow end up talking with you until midnight about intentional living, why modern cities feel slightly broken, or what you're actually doing with your life. It doesn't always start that way — but it usually ends up there.

I recently went through some big personal changes and I'm in the middle of redesigning how I live. That makes me a genuinely curious host — I love hearing how other people have figured things out, what they've left behind, what they're building. The best Couchsurfing conversations I've had felt less like small talk and more like running into someone who gets it.

My place is calm and simple — a small room with its own couch, horses outside, and good coffee in the morning if you want it. Come with your stories. I'll listen.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE (Marcel)

Met:

Derek and Milena, Istanbul
Noam from Israel in Granada
Line, Kopenhagen in Arnhem

Host:

Blake, Australia - 3 nights
Patrick, Stuttgart - 1 night

Stay:

Patrick, Manchester - 1 night
Antje and Kristin, Hamburg - 2 nights
Lynray, Cape Town - 5 nights
Frank, Amsterdam - 1 night
Catherine, St Petersburg - 2 nights
Ol'a, St Petersburg - 2 nights
Adrianna, Quito - 2 nights
Jannika / Nathalie, Dresden - 1 night

Interests

Nature over nightlife. Lakes over lounges. I genuinely love long solo walks in wild places — the kind where you don't need to talk but everything feels somehow clearer afterwards.

I'm fascinated by intentional living: tiny houses, communities, frugalism, minimalism — not as aesthetics but as actual ways out of the hamster wheel. I've read a lot, thought about it even more, and I'm slowly building a life that reflects it.

I like getting things done with my hands — cooking a proper meal, working on a garden, fixing something broken. Digital work is great, but there's something deeply satisfying about seeing what you made at the end of the day.

Also: saunas. Always saunas.

I'm drawn to people who are a little different — who have specific, weird hobbies and don't feel the need to perform. Quiet, authentic, curious people are my kind of people. The ones with interesting life stories they don't lead with.

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: German hip-hop with actual teeth — KIZ, SSIO, Mehnersmoos. Hard sound, absurd humor, mosh pits optional but appreciated.

Films: Stories about builders and founders — The Social Network, The Founder. People who bet everything on a vision, even when it's messy. That energy is magnetic to me.

Books: Non-fiction. Finance, nutrition, politics, personal development. I read to understand systems and to get better — not for escapism (though I respect people who do).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hiked alone through Patagonia. One day in particular stands out — I met an Englishman, an Israeli, and an American, all strangers, and somehow by evening we'd each opened up completely. Real conversation. Real connection. The mountains had something to do with it.

That day is still the benchmark I measure aliveness by. No plans, no agenda — just presence, beauty, and the rare feeling of being completely yourself among people you'll probably never see again.

Teach, Learn, Share

I want to learn: New perspectives on how people build their lives. Craft skills — working with your hands. Languages (slowly). How different cultures approach simplicity. What you've figured out that most people haven't.

I'll share: Honest thoughts. A calm space. Whatever's in the kitchen. And probably a strong opinion about why minimalism is underrated.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm a low-maintenance guest. I take up little space, make my own plans, and tidy up after myself without being asked. I'll bring something to the table — literally or figuratively.

If you want company, I'm genuinely good at conversation — the kind that goes somewhere real. If you want space, I'll disappear for the day without a second thought. I adapt easily and I don't perform.

I can offer remote work advice, website feedback, honest travel input, or just a good listener when you need to think something through. And if you have a garden or a project that needs an extra pair of hands, I'm genuinely happy to help.

What I ask in return: just be yourself. No need to entertain me or perform the perfect host. Authentic beats polished, every time.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Croatia, Ecuador, Estonia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia

Countries I’ve Lived In

Argentina, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, South Africa