Finishing Masters degree and working towards making numerous castles in the sky a reality.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Once hiked alone in the mountains in Stellenbosch and met a hiker from the Netherlands along the way. This spontaneous encounter was different to what I could have planned beforehand and it was enjoyable to share and learn during the hike. I think that couchsurfing also allows people who would not have met under normal circumstances to take part in an exchange, where they share and walk away with more than they initially had.

Interests

Just an overview, obviously one cannot capture the entirety in a few short sentences :), but still an attempt....

Willingness to learn from one another, each person on their own has limited perception, together we might see a bigger part of the whole picture.

Learn about your obstacles or triumphs, both which adds colour to one's life journey.

• architecture
• photography
• cooking
• wine
• beer
• wine tasting
• running
• board games
• music
• classical music
• hiking
• tennis
• mountain climbing
• choral music
• fellowship
• bargain hunting
• big picture thinking
• puns and wordplay
• psychology and mental well being

Music, Movies, and Books

Music
Mostly everything from the era of Bach, Chopin, and Rach.
Some knowledge on the 60s - 80s (Simon & Garfunkel, Boney M, Bon Jovi), keen to explore more.
Some recent artists, but much room for expansion.

Movies (some favourites)
The Shawshank Redemption
Goodwill Hunting
The Count of Monte Cristo
Inception
Das Leben der Andere (The lives of others)
The Intouchables (excellent French movie)
La vita e belle (Life is Beautiful)
Inside Out

Books
“The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old ones.”

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Musically
-taking the step to audition and sing 2 years in a choir (https://www.facebook.com/canticumnovumstellenbosch/), being involved in the management thereof and growing together with fellow members (one highlight was performing at old age homes, prisons and small communities on our yearly tour). We sang not for competitions or to win prizes, but for the purpose of community outreach via serving people with our musical gifts.

Emotionally
-living vulnerably (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o)

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach
-Useful Afrikaans phrases.
-"Sokkie" dancing (quite popular within the Afrikaans community).
-How to have a "braai" (known abroad as bbq, vegetarian & vegan options can also be fashioned) as we do it in South Africa.

Learn
-Foreign languages (especially French and Italian).
-Your appreciation of different musical styles/instruments.
-Exchanges of food recipes or culinary wisdom.
-Cultural activities, -traditions and way of life as experienced from a local perspective.

Share
-Preparation of South African culinary dishes, be it main courses or delightful desserts.
-Jamming on a piano, will just need some time to warm-up and re-establish confidence :).
-Hiking or running partner.
-Photography as a means of capturing a story.
-Offer hosting opportunities if possible, otherwise sound advice on what I know.

Just ask, maybe even more!

What I Can Share with Hosts

-Knowledge on non-tourist or lesser known places in South Africa.

-Puns, the good, the bad, and the ugly ;)

-Cooking together, I can share South African recipes with you and learn about your likes in food recipes.

-Big picture thinking on mutual interests or any discussion topics.

Countries I’ve Visited

England, Mauritius, Namibia

Countries I’ve Lived In

South Africa