I love my quiet rural apartment so close to this beautiful city, and my bike. And I love being in natural landscapes that are much different from here. My favorits are barefoot from a cabin to a quiet beach, or on a lookout over a gorge, or over a field or steaming forest that is teeming with life.

Having travelled a lot to many exotic national parks, I now turn back on flying. I'll limit it to maybe a one way flight every other year, so I stopped my ambition of visiting all countries. I've always preferred land travel and my job allows longer-than-a-few-weeks holidays. I love high speed trains, and I'm thrilled by their fast expansion.

Further interests are in international politics and our consumer impact on the global environment. We, especially in the west, cannot stay oblivious or careless to the hidden impact of our unsustainable consumption. So I'm trying to improve in many ways, but I'm not going all the way. I do many things 90%, like eating vegetarian, avoiding use of cars, buying second hand etc. Life can be more fun not ruling things out, but giving them different values.

My job is in policymaking and spatial planning, especially on green areas in or near urban environments. The different functions of being in nature are key in my work.

I love to meet new perspectives on themes that interest me. I also love new food.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I like this platform to meet interesting people. I also love the idea to share services without money being involved.
Since Amsterdam has 'overtourism', I don't open my house to anyone looking for a free stay.
I need to have a feeling of connection beforehand.

Interests

• wildlife
• architecture
• geography
• languages
• ecotourism
• world politics
• sustainability
• national parks
• healthy lifestyle
• landscapes

Music, Movies, and Books

Lots. Mostly on interest mentioned above. Maybe David Attenborough documentaries are worth specific mentioning :)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

- Being the only guest in Kidepo N.P., Uganda
- Living barefoot in a Mozambique beach cabin for two weeks, feeling alienated from my shoes
- Looking at wild mountain gorilla's
- Listening to morning wake-up calls by howler monkeys
- Spotting wild macaws on a claylick.
- Looking into an active volcano in Virunga N.P.
- Snorkelling at pulau Sipidan
- Just cycling in Amsterdam in spring/summer

Teach, Learn, Share

I can can break up your planned international trainride in smaller bits, and save you money.

I'd love to learn about accomodations near natural areas, preferably with trainstations nearby.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'd love to exchange food or food ideas. I love being cooked for by guests :) and return the favor of course.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican City State, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Netherlands, Rwanda

•