CURRENT MISSION

In the process to make the transition from workaholic into an perpetual traveller

ABOUT ME

This is allways the hardest part, but here we go:

Born and grown up in East Germany near Berlin. The fall of the Berlin wall came, when I was 19.
Making the most of the new possibilities, I was lucky/fortunated enough to find a job with the Toyota World Rally Team in Cologne.

This was the start of an amazing journey. I spend 5 years in the World Rally Championship, and was able to travel the world, and to get paid for it.
After this time I went and worked in different motor sport championships all around the world.
After allmost 20 years in this industry, I feel it is time to slow down a bit. The last 20 years was like living in the fast lane of life. Many wonderful expiriences, but also little time for anyting else.

As I feel that I have archieved most of my professional goals, I want to slow down a bit, and go back and see the world a second time.
But this time, from the ground up, taking the time to see and appriciate all the things which are there to see.

Ultimativly I would like to own a sail boat in 2-3 years time, and set sail around the world.
Until then, I will just try to backpack my way around a bit (especially South and Latin America at the moment, as I have a passion for this part of the world)

What else??
I would like to believe that I'm a decent person. Quit, polite and a bit "old school". I try to live by the motto: Live, and let live

I'm maybe a bit over the clubbing scene but don't mind a night danced away once in a while. More into the Bohemian way of life. Good food, good wine and the company of nice/good and interesting people.

Allways up for a good conversation by an cup of coffee, or a glass of red wine and/or a nice dinner.

I don't smoke, but tolerate it, it does not bother me unless it is in my apartment/house.
I love ice cream, and anything else life has to offer,
and I like animals/pets (especially dogs), as I have been growing up around them.

Feel free to ask, if you like to know more.

PHILOSOPHY

" My philosophy: Life is too short to regret. At one point everything you did willingly is exactly what you wanted so live it up, drink it down, laugh loudly, dance wildly, sing horribly, live freely, love openly, give graciously, and take humbly."

I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor. -- Oliver Wendel Holmes

Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.

Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life

If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart, it is not success at all.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm new, so I could not contribute much yet.
I would like to meet some people who are active in the CS community, and see what it is like.
I like the idea and the concept of CS.
It has truly the potential, to make this world a better place. I would be glad, if I could be part of it.
I'm looking forward to get some couch surfing expirience in the near future, and hope to find people who are brave and kind enough to host me, despite my lack of references yet.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I'm new to this, but I'm really looking forward to it.
It will be a step out of my comfort zone, but this is what I want to do.
A female friend of mine did it, and had only good expiriences. She really got me interested in it.

Interests

Many !!!
it's difficult to start somewhere.
Apart from my professional interest in motor sport, cars, bikes, boats, airplanes and engineering in general.

there would be:
architecture, modern art, interior design, industrial design, sailing (just starting), food, wine, philosophy, travelling, history, different cultures, ancient cultures (Maya, Inca etc.), ice cream ( I'm a addict),
new media and communication, marketing and avertising,
investments, economics, psychology (mass behavior)
and the list goes on.

I like pets/animals, but don't have any.

Allways interested to try out new food and drinks, and to learn about different customs.

• animals
• pets
• dogs
• arts
• singing
• architecture
• design
• interior design
• modern art
• perfumes
• dancing
• dining
• wine
• red wine
• coffee
• drinking
• clubbing
• boating
• traveling
• cars
• backpacking
• surfing
• sailing
• sports
• communications
• economics
• teaching
• engineering
• history
• languages
• psychology

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: too many to list, as I read a lot, and have a varity of interests.
Some of the all time highs are:

The Alchemist
Way of the peaceful warrior
Tao Te Ching
Lionheart
Sailing promise
Two sides of the moon
Ziel des Lebens

Music: is a bit horses for courses.
The music I listen to depends a lot from the mood and the situation. Open for allmost everything.
Beeing a bit old school: I like Rock and the music of the 80's, as I have been growing up with it.
I like Cafe del Mare, and similar chill out music

Not the biggest fan of Techno and Hip Hop, but ones in a while for clubbing is fine with me.

I don't mind classical music and Jazz, but know very little about it

Movies: Not the biggest movie buff, but enjoying going to the cinemas once in a while. Prefere than more comedy or light hearted movies, but a good action flick is fine with me as well.

TV: don't have one since years.
Will watch some sport events, but this is about it. Allways interested in good reportages and news.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

beeing fortunated enough to be able to go out and see the world, despite beeing born in East Germany.

East African Safari Rally in Kenya

Winning Rally Monte Carlo and the WRC as member of a great team (Toyota Team Europe)

living and working in Australia

meeting the Dalai Lama

River Fire Brisbane Australia

Grand Barrier Reef Australia

Live my dream

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach:
In general I have a good understanding about technical things, and can fix most things myself.

As I have been growing up in former East Germany, I can tell a thing or two about how it really was, which is maybe of interest for people who have grown up on the Western side of the iron curtain.

Could give some lessons in German and about German traditions and customs.

Learn:
I'm looking forward to learn from others people lives. Listen to them and their expiriences and stories. Eager to learn some more languages (especially Spanish).
Open to try new food and customs.

Share:
My "wisdom" :-),
A drink/meal/coffee and a good conversation with anybody who is interested.
Maybe my bed/couch if need be.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City State, Venezuela

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Austria, Brazil, Denmark, Ecuador, Germany, Paraguay