CURRENT MISSION

I quit my job and sold my house in 2016, and am living out of my backpack... Mostly working as a house- and animal sitter, and the rest of the time as a volunteer, all over Europe. I love getting to know new places, new people and new animals, and immersing myself in new rhythms and new ways, and hopefully find things there that suit me and that I will keep!

ABOUT ME

Someone who has left the rat race behind... I found I do not do well on the highway (too fast n stressful) or between people that just stare at their mobiles... I am a people person, but I am also perfectly happy with just a good book, a meditation cushion, a hiking path or a guitar.

PHILOSOPHY

Do what you feel like, as long as it is not at the cost of anybody else.
And if all else fails? Meditate! You will find yourself back, and everything will slowly fall back into place...

OTHER

In the category "To each their own, but not for me": I don't smoke, and despite being Dutch ;-), don't do drugs either.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I hosted a few people before I sold my house to go travelling, was nice 2 do. Now I might appreciate offers to use a couch here and there on my travels. And if you are kind enough to host me, I will always be kind enough to leave you a nice review, it is the least I can do!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Had a couple experiences as a host, all positive, and a couple as a surfer, all but one positive, and hoping to find many more nice hosts, surfers and experiences here!

Interests

playing guitar; (sports) massaging; reading; meditating; hiking & camping; nature; cooking; playing boardgames; learning Spanish; learning about herbs and roots etc and how they can heal you/help you stay healthy

• animals
• books
• cooking
• vegetarian
• meditation
• walking
• reading
• traveling
• guitar
• hiking
• buddhist
• sports
• history
• volunteering
• nature
• permaculture
• harmonica
• vegetarian cooking
• house sitting
• do in (similar to yoga)

Music, Movies, and Books

I mostly read fantasy books , I love reading other peoples daydreams! ;-).
I also like reading books by the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Paulo Coelho and Khalil Gibran.

Music wise I love " simple" music, one voice and one or two instruments; So mostly folk music, like Dylan, Passenger, Stu Larsen and Glen Hansard. Previous infatuations include Josh Ritter, Adele, De Dijk, and many more...

Movies: I don't watch many movies, but a great one I watched recently was Whiplash.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hike the Camino de Santiago, 5 times so far, and each time was AMAZING... I hope to do the Camino Norte next!

And also, working as a house sitter and volunteer (among other places, at a donkey sanctuary in the north of Spain, an amazing place) and in doing so making the world a better place and maybe even inspire people.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm sure I can tell or teach you some things about buddhism, playing guitar, making sushi, walking the pilgimage to Santiago de Compostella (for instance how to deal with, or better, prevent, blisters) ;-). And how to lose yourself in the rat race we call society, and find yourself back again and manage to get out... ;-)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Phew, hard question...

I am a nice guy, and I am sure I can come up with some good stories about my travels. I also love to hear your stories and about the city/area/country where you host me, and maybe be shown around the interesting non-touristy places in the area.

I will also happily arrive with a homemade cake (my vegetarian banana bread is amazing) and/or bottle of soda/beer/wine/etc which we can enjoy while getting acquainted.

And am happy to do the dishes or other chores to show my appreciation for sharing your home and couch!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ireland, Netherlands