CURRENT MISSION

Want to see as much from the world as possible in the next years and meet nice people from everywhere.

ABOUT ME

I grew up in Friesland,and consider Sneek as my home town. Lived in Groningen, Eindhoven, Amsterdam, Lelystad, and several places in Friesland (Hindeloopen, Mantgum Heerenveen). Went to the hbs (kind of high school) in Sneek. I studied one and a half year in Groningen and then started to work. Was married for 20 years, divorced 24 years ago.Have 1 son (32) who stayed with me after the divorce. My career: I worked for several organisations: (a.o. as a secretary of the board of directors of a chemical factory and a psychiatric hospital). Had an antique shop for 12 years, specialised in antique silver and collectors items like needlework tools, snuffboxes, art deco and art nouveau and so on. I have worked as a staff member for 16 years for the Provincial Parliament (Provinciale Staten) of the province Friesland or Fryslan as it is called in the Frisian Language. I retired in june 2009. I am very interested in art (classic as well as modern) and an avid collector of modern ceramics and art (drawings). Like to travel. No need for luxury, just a good bed and public transport will do. Like to meet and talk to local people and learn from them about their country.

PHILOSOPHY

I am a rather down to earth person. People should respect each others religion and respect people who do not believe in any god as well. I am deeply concerned about the state of the earth at this moment and believe strongly that we have to change our attitude towards the environment.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I hope for nice e-mail contacts, about all kind of subjects: poetry, literature, politics, travel experiences and so on. When traveling I hope to couchsurf with locals from the countries and places I visit.
A bed is available for nice, open minded people who couchsurf for the good reasons, not only for a free bed, but also for a nice contact in the Netherlands.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Till now I hosted a student from Hongkong, and other guestast from Belgium, USA, Korea, Germany and the Netherlands.
Stayed as a guest in Mumbay with Darmesh, a nice host, Also met several other CS-members in India (Mumbai and Aurangabad.
Hope to meet more CS-members on my travels and perhaps some members of the community in my home town too.

Interests

Art. modern and classic, especially applied arts: antique and modern silver, gold and jewellery also ethnic jewellery, modern ceramics, architecture. Like to sail (own a small yacht), walk in the mountains, bird and game watching (have still a lot to learn),photography, environmental issues and politics.

• arts
• literature
• poetry
• architecture
• photography
• environment
• shopping
• politics
• traveling
• pottery
• cycling
• sailing
• religion
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: About a boy, Four Weddings and a funeral.
Huge fan of the BBC and English humor.
Musical omnivore: Classic, Jazz, Pop and Etnic stuff as well. Books: I like writers like Vikram Seth (An equal Music),Sandor Marai and Milan Kundera. I am very interested in old Chinese, Japanese and Iranian Poetry.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Saw to young elephants mock-fighting in front of our jeep on a night tour through Krugerpark and stood eye to eye with two rhino's in Zimbabwe. Descended on a mountain bike from the highest mountain pass passable by motorcar in the world from 5606 meter to 3500 meter. Great fun. Did the Anapurha circuit trek, highest pass 5413 meter ant age 73.

Teach, Learn, Share

I like open minded people. Don't like prejudiced people and reli-fanatics, Christian as well as Muslim fanatics, all the same. As I know a lot about art and applied arts that is a field I can help people with. Want to share my travel experiences with others as well.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My travel expierience.

Countries I’ve Visited

Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands

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