You'll encounter a curious human being, a bit to-the-point now and then (probably because of being Dutch - but I'm not that fond of stereotyping), and someone who's open to try new things.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It was recommended to me by a good friend before I flew out of Europe. It seemed to me as a great concept to meet like-minded (local) people. Due to CS I got in touch with many people around the world, all with different characters and backgrounds, that became good friends in the end.

Interests

I'm interested in the field of contemporary political philosophy, critical theory and phenomenology. I have also given it a try in writing, but that's 'in progress'.

If you ever start traveling, you'll get addicted. So I try to get my backpack out of the closet every year.

I just like to walk without a specific place to go. Just parks, near the canals of Ghent, or through neighborhoods, I don't mind. It clears up the mind.

Since I started doing meditation in India I have never quit. It makes you feel at peace and you regain energy after doing it.

... yeah, and food and coffee.

Music, Movies, and Books

It is rather divers but at the same time I look for something specific in music - an experimental touch, well-spoken lyrics, or an incredible together-play of instruments. To give you some impressions: this can be Nils Frahm or even classical, like Maurice Ravel, neo-folk à la Woodkid or a SA jazz musician as Abdullah Ibrahim. But I also listen a lot to bands as Sigur Ros and Radiohead.

Regarding movies I have not a straightforward narrow preference. I enjoy movies with a philosophical undertone, such as The Matrix, Her, Waking Life, The Truman Show, or Ship of Theseus, but I've got a peculiar fancy for movies from Richard Ayoade (Submarine, The Double), Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Moonrise Kingdom), Xavier Dolan (Laurence Anyways, Mommy) and other original and idiosyncratic movies.

The manner in which authors like Kafka, Borges, and Lispector outline their absurd characters, create an existential story-line, obscure the deeper meaning of their narrative, and leave the reader in utter puzzlement, really fascinate me. Besides that, I'm mostly reading non-fiction (Arendt, Foucault, Heidegger, Wittgenstein, Hume, Žižek, Deleuze, ...)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Crossed the full length of Vietnam on a Honda Win, started in Hanoi 'till I reached Phnom Phen with my oil-leaking and half-broken bike with flat tires. Incredible adventure with the most breathtaking landscapes I've seen so far.

Walked off-season in an exalted mood in the Nepalese Annapurna reserve breathing fresh air, surrounded by astounding views, and quietness all around.

Jumped from the Bloukrans bridge in South Africa, the highest commercial bungee bridge in the world. It definitely got my blood running faster.

- and many more ... but let's make that a topic of our conversation.

Teach, Learn, Share

- Stay authentic and listen to your inner self,
(Emerson: 'It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude')

- Reflect on life and be honest and critical to yourself
(Emerson: 'Let him look into its eye and search its nature, inspect its origin - see the whelping of this lion - which lies no great way back; he will then find in himself a perfect comprehension of its nature and extent; he will have made its hands meet on the other side, and can henceforth defy it and pass on superior')

- And be not afraid to make mistakes or risky decisions
(Emerson: 'We live amid surfaces, and the true art of life is to skate well on them')

For me personally, these are the most important lessons in life and I admire Ralph W. Emerson for eloquently formulating this. And if you read these lines, you will definitely notice that traveling offers a great opportunity to actively work on these things.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A couch, a good dinner (probably an Indian curry), a special beer, a good chat, and a good time.

If you're searching for a touring guide, who knows all the sights and most fancy bars, I'm not your man.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Laos, Latvia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Netherlands, South Africa