CURRENT MISSION: meeting passionate people, discovering opportunities to contribute to society.

Next stop: Italy!

My journey:
Since the 1st of July 2015 I have embraced freedom, by traveling through Europe and Oceania fulltime, together with my (now ex) boyfriend Bart. We gave up our apartment in Holland for an undefined road trip in an old Ford Transit (1984), to explore other sides of life than the endless cycle of working/spending/running. Every time we got stuck on our journey, a new opportunity presented itself.

Early April we decided to end the relationship. Although break-ups are never easy, I now feel free again to figure out my own desires and dreams, and to pursue them without compromising. Anything is possible! Which makes me both excited and nervous. I wish I could prepare haha, but I do try to trust life as it comes. The journey taught me well ;). I can't wait to be inspired again by people, other cultures, other outlooks on life, different jobs, nature, etc. etc.

ABOUT ME

I am very open and enthusiastic, willing to help, curious, quick to learn, in for both a good laugh and a good talk.

PHILOSOPHY

If you stay connected to your true self, you will be prepared for anything in life and attract a lot of good people/stuff :). But you have to be brave enough to follow your heart even if you don't know the consequences yet, even if it means you'll be different from the majority. Connecting to myself is my big inspiration in life. Other people are here to help me, teach me, inspire me, show me. It's great co-creation:)

JOBS

My latest 'real' job was teaching public administration at the Leiden University. My last traveling job was being an au pair in Brisbane.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

To me, the most inspiring way to travel is to meet local people and to engage in their daily activities. Just enjoy their ways and outlooks on life for a bit.

The great thing of couch surfing is that it brings open, like-minded people together (often travel lovers)! And so the enthusiasm of traveling is a shared joy for guest and host.

When I look at my list of countries visited, all good memories of being with fantastic sweet fun people come to mind. Traveling is not about nature/architecture so much as it is about meeting people, at least to me. And through couch surfing it's so much easier to meet like-minded people. I'm very grateful for that.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My first experience was together with my sister in Darwin, Australia in 2012; we slept two nights on a mattress in the living room of some really nice people. They also took us to the beach one night, and they gave us some local tips. It was a beautiful evening, a very unique experience. Ever since I'm very positive about couch surfing as a means to really get to know a country and to have a great time. Bart and I have met some really nice people in Denmark, Norway and Poland too. They were so welcoming! It was very humbling.

Interests

I love walking through nature/beautiful cities, a good book, a nice (romantic) movie about the pleasures and struggles of real life, a meaningful conversation, silly jokes, connecting with friends/family/strangers in the street, music (I play violin and piano), yoga, good food and drinks, le Musée d'Orsay and other museums, being creative, spontaneity.

I wish to learn to dance (with a man) and to ride a horse.

• books
• architecture
• dancing
• dining
• yoga
• running
• walking
• drinking
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• piano
• violin
• cycling
• surfing
• public administration
• au-pair
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Ahh too many to write down, but here's a shot:
> Favorite music: Into the wild by Eddie Vedder, Aimee Mann, Regina Spektor, Mumford and suns, Tom Odell, Robbie Williams, Laura Jansen, the Jezabels, Ben Howard, Florence + The Machine, José Gonzalez, Selah Sue, Placebo, Adele, Beyoncé, The Temper Trap, Coldplay, Of monsters and men, Death cab for cutie, Rhodes....
> Favorite movies: As it is in heaven, Moulin rouge, The bourne triology, Romeo & Juliet, Love Actually (and other British comedies), Habla con Ella, Interstellar, The Concert, Boyhood.......
> Favorite books: Night train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier, Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, Esther's inheritance by Sandor Marai, Me before you by Jojo Moyes, Us by David Nicholls, Sweet Caress by William Boyd, the Light between the oceans.........

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I converted an old Ford Transit van (1984) into the most beautiful mobile bedroom and kitchen ever, using plywood mostly. The result was so much better than I had ever hoped for, because of unexpected help of a furniture maker across the street. Next project renovating a house maybe? ;)

Teach, Learn, Share

Just ask for help/advise! E.g. in music, English or Dutch language, soul searching etc.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Apart from hoping to get to know you and have some fun together, I can spoil you by making a nice meal. I love to do something in return for your kindness to host me!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Netherlands, Spain