CURRENT MISSION

enjoying life :-)

ABOUT ME

I really enjoy talking to open-minded, (emotionally) 'intelligent' people that are interested in different cultures (the little things), sharing stories and jokes... :-) I tend to lead a (more or less) balanced and healthy lifestyle (eat mostly vegetarian food, do yoga, spending time in nature), am active, peace-loving, optimistic and down-to-earth, sometimes a little philosophical... I love cuddling my cats in the evenings after work. I like non-mainstrem movies (original version with subtitles ;), dry (Australian) humour and 'educational' novels. I believe that life always takes good care of me, and that there are challenges rather than problems. :) My field of study is economic geography - currently busy with international food trade issues, land use and food security in coastal Bangladesh. I love my job and the flexibility that comes with a researcher's life. :)

PHILOSOPHY

Life is beautiful! :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm a happy, easy-going globetrotter. I love meeting open-minded people from all over the world, introducing you to local highlights, and making you feel welcome. I live in a clean & spacious apartment together with my partner, our son, 2 friendly cats and various pot plants. ;)(nothing illegal!!)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

With CS since August 2008 and had a few people stay that I'm still in touch with :)
I've been with hospitalityclub.org since 2004 (also amelie1980). Hosted people from many countries (Germany, Lithuania, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Poland, Holland...) and stayed with people in NZ, Aus, Finland, Germany, Thailand, Italy... It's been great! Just love sharing stories and "going local" and "being local".

Interests

Travelling, music (incl. classical), singing, languages, my cats / animals in general, ballroom dancing, the "great outdoors" (hiking across mountains, roaming forests, plunging into lakes and oceans, wind in my face, exploring back streets of cities, going off the beaten track :), reading, (non-mainstream) movies, photography, visiting friends

• animals
• cats
• singing
• photography
• dancing
• ballroom dancing
• dining
• vegetarian
• yoga
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• eating out
• music
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• track and field
• geography
• languages
• lakes
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

see above

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I survived a bus tour through Albania! :)
...and a weekend on an uninhabited, muddy tropical island in Indonesia. Without a tent ;-)
...and research in rural Bangladesh. Speaking to people there makes you very humble.

Teach, Learn, Share

Focus on the positive sides of life and they will come to you!
Every night before I go to sleep, I jot down the few things that made me happy, made me smile, that I'm grateful for on that day. Be it sunshine, a smile or a good cappuccino! :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, France, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Finland, Germany, Netherlands

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