CURRENT MISSION

Growing a thriving family farm & winery in Alberta.

ABOUT ME

I love life and always have followed my dreams. Changed careers many times. I climbed the corporate ladder all the way to the top and then left. I then decided to write books for 9 years about social and environmental issues and as a corporate refugee presented at universities and high schools. My last book was about the importance of the family farm as a basis for sustainable communities. I decided to join the farmers and started the Spirit Hills honey winery in Millarville, Alberta. Starting Spirit Hills has taught me much about how an economic agricultural enterprise can bring and hold a family together and become an energy around which a larger community grows.
I traveled a good part of the world, both backpacking and for business. The most interesting part of travel is to get to know the people. (I get bored in resorts).
I'm originally from Belgium but moved to Canada 20 years ago. I live in one of the most beautiful spots on the planet (at least in my opinion), in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. My philosophy is that we should go live where we want to be on vacation and build life around it, rather then build life around work and only go for a few weeks a year to the place where you really want to be. My travel at this point is wine related. When I'm not traveling I am tending the orchard, vineyard, bees or making wine. I love to spend my time with my horse in the mountains.
At Spirit Hills we grow all of our own vegetables for the entire family, have chickens for eggs and hunt deer, elk and moose for meat. We live of the land, in harmony with it with as small a footprint as possible. provide for a significant amount of our own food.
I love good food, good tea, good wine and good European bread, and exploring local foods when traveling.
When I hear music, I cannot keep my feet still. I just looove the dance floor.
More information about our winery can be found at www.spirithillswinery.com
More info about me books can be found at www.hugobonjean.com

PHILOSOPHY

The explorer learns from all experiences and finds ultimate joy in infinite discoveries.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I recommend this site to people who would like to travel and learn about the people and culture they are visiting.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I traveled extensively as an author across Canada and the USA on book tours and for research for my stories. I pick up hitch hikers and have stayed with fans on book tours. These encounters allow me to peak into people's lives, hear their stories and learn about their perspectives on the world. It is an enriching experience, makes travel interesting and provides great inspirational material for my writing.

We do not accept couch surfers at the farm since we are a wwoof hosts and helpx host and all of our extra beds are usually booked up by volunteers from around the world.

Interests

I enjoy learning from people, traveling, experiencing cultures, loosing myself in dance, cooking and eating good food, baking bread, playing the guitar, bow hunting (for meat not for trophies)--it is the sacred dance of life and death, the ultimate gift that provides life for my family, providing for food, beekeeping, writing, hiking, camping, anything in nature, just letting my mind drift and see where it takes me.

• animals
• fish
• culture
• writing
• books
• performing arts
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• baking
• gardening
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• fishing
• hiking
• backpacking
• camping
• hunting
• business
• tours
• beaches
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: V for Vendetta, Braveheart, The Matrix, Spartacus, ...you get the picture.
Music, anything really. I usually cannot keep my feet still.
Books: Everything from Paulo Coelho and Dan Brown (favorites The Alchemist, The witch of Portobello, 11 Minutes, Veronika Decides to Die and By the River Piedra I sat down and wept, and Angels and Demons.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Too many to list, but meeting my wife and the birth of each of my children are top of the list.
Seeing the sunrise in Tikal and the sunset over the Grand Canyon was memorable. But so was the bazar in Istanbul, the top of the Andes, fresh fish on a beach in Greece and a performance of the Camargue cowboys. I could just go on and on. Life is spectacular.

Teach, Learn, Share

Check out my websites and books for this. But in short: Live the Dream! Share the Story!

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saint Lucia, Scotland, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Canada

•