I am a keen lover of languages and cultures. Even though English was and remains my eternal love, and I deal with it every day either as a translator or as a writer (technical writer and PhD candidate), I am also deeply interested in Dutch language and culture. I read Dutch very well and can speak Dutch, though I still need people to talk slowly for me to understand.
I am an avid amateur photographer, having some of my work published in a British magazine (twice) and displayed at an exhibition. I also love history, reading, movies, and football (soccer).
I am currently a PhD candidate, writing a dissertation about football matches against Germany as a way for the Netherlands and Austria to increase their national identity and to build a collective memory.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I believe the world would be a better place if, rather than spending time in gloomy hotel rooms, people have the chance to meet other people from other cultures. That would break down many walls that divide us as humans.

Interests

• photography
• hiking
• history
• languages
• travel
• world war ii
• football (soccer)
• dutch language and culture

Music, Movies, and Books

Beatles - the alpha and omega of music. Pink Floyd, Genesis (with Peter Gabriel), supertramp, Nirvana, Police, Sting.
Loves classics such as Edgar Allan Poe and Oscar Wilde, but also contemporary writers such as Simon Kuper, Harry Mullisch (The Assault), Tessa de Loo (Twin Sisters), and Remco Campert. Loves to read biographies, but now I am very busy with my PhD so I read mostly biographies of footballers (Rob Rensenbrink, Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Gerd Muller and so on).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Stood on the Anapurna ridge at a place that was so high that we saw the clouds gathering below us.
Got over a long-time obstacle and learned to ride a bike at the age of 25 in Nijenrode (NL).
Learned Dutch by myself at the age of 23, then needed only three private lessons to skip directly to the Advanced level at the university
Went back to university at the age of 56 to fulfil a long-time achievement - write a PhD about football.

Teach, Learn, Share

Hebrew
English
Photography
History

What I Can Share with Hosts

Whether you're a history buff, a keen amateur photographer, are crazy about football (soccer) or just like fun facts and learning about other cultures, I make a very good conversation and speak fluent English. If you feel like it, we can also conversate in Dutch but that would be a bit harder.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Switzerland, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Israel