Just your average Dutch guy who loves meeting new people. Traveling all across Canada, posting pictures on www.instagram.com/duckduckpaul/ if you'd like to see some of my trip so far!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

A guy from a random motel suggested it to me, did not know about it before. But I love meeting new people and especially learning about them, their place and their culture.

Interests

I love to get to know people and cultures. It's the main reason why I love travelling; you get a different view on the world, and become a better person yourself.

• motorcycles
• hiking
• camping
• travel
• nature
• cultures
• people

Music, Movies, and Books

For music I like Edm (and basically everything else too). I don't often read, I like learning from people instead. Will watch anything (but the best movie ever made is the hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Maybe not the most amazing, but it started off my journey of solo travel:

Toronto. Best city I've seen when it comes to being multi cultural. All the people I've met there were simply amazing. Some examples/most memorable:

Met food truck guy; when I got to Toronto I walked the wrong way (didn't know), ended up at a food truck that sold poutine. Figured now I was in Canada, I'd get some. Ended up talking to the guy for hours, told him I was planning to trip through the Americas for up to a year. Gotta say he fed me well as I was talking with him, and he gave me some wise words after he pointed me in the right direction: 'traveling for a long time might make you broke, but you'll be rich in your heart'. He told me all the places to go to in his home country of Bulgaria, and to come back to him some day to talk about my travels.

Met Steve the homeless guy; I went to a Japanese restaurant where a bloke called John told me the Toronto maple leafs were playing against Boston. Apparently it was a big game, they're big rivals (but I had never watched a hockey game in my life). John told me to go to a pub so I did. Steve was there to watch the game. He was happy to tell me all about his life, how he got on the streets. Happy to explain me how hockey worked. Had a great time with him for hours and he ended up calling me one of the best friends he ever had; guess he finally had someone to share his story that respected him and wanted to listen. He gave me his number and told me if I'm ever in Toronto again, he'll buy me a beer.

The lady from Ottawa at St. Michaels hospital; she had noone in Canada. Only a son in Amsterdam. Yet she had to go through a treatment that truly scared her. She needed a couple of bucks for the bus back home to Ottawa, the hospital wouldn't help her. She was happy to tell me all the places in Ottawa to eat at, so I definitively will :) I hope, with all the friendly people I've been meeting in Toronto, the ones she'll engage with will tell her some encouraging words to get her through her treatment too.

Adam; just your not so average Canadian. Vocal guy that talks with everyone. Trying to find a guy from Mexico a job; trying to let the tourists mingle with the locals; buying everyone drinks. Loved going to the pubs with him because you'd be sure you'd be making a couple of new friends there from all different countries.

Oh, and a cool skyline too, good food, gorgeous art and stuff. Probably my favourite city after Oslo.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Naturally get along with anyone, and I'm up for practically anything.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands