Jaap van Beelen's Photo

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  • 60% response rate
  • Last login 20 days ago

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Overview

  • 81 references 77 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in Bulgarian, Dutch, English; learning German
  • 76, Male
  • Member since 2011
  • Culture and nature tourism, culture management, councilor...
  • university math's and philosofy / dance academy
  • From Katwijk, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Profile 100% complete

About Me

What to say? Old(er) by years, but young by hearth and mind, still active.
Have been concepts- and product developer all my live.
51 countries traveled so far, but maybe forgot 1 or 2...
Currently chosen councilor in Veliko Tarnovo (for the Green movement) and kilim collector

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

1. Because I travelled myself a lot, in a time with no cellphones, no Internet, no couchsurfing or other networks, (beside the little handwritten notes in some bigger towns where backpackers were gathering, like the "pudding shop of Sultan Ahmed" in Istanbul :-), so my host was mostly "an edge at the local park")
2. Because I like and believe in SHARING, it's much better to be on CS as host than commercial on Airbnb/Booking.
3. To meet interesting people, who contribute to society and/or culture and/or nature.
4. Because sometimes my guest surprise we with a meal of their "home kitchen"

As I'm proud on the city and country I live in, I tend not to accept passing by travellers who request just for 1 night, so 2 or 3 nights is excellent, more is not impossible...
When you just passing by and look for 1 night shelter, there are plenty of cheap hostels in town.

Interests

Many, many, but in first place native culture, music and dance, cultural heritage
And of course: nature! So beautiful and diverse here :-)
My collection of Bulgarian kilims (flat weaves), became a bit overwhelming the last 5 years. Regular exhibitions through the country.

  • culture
  • dancing
  • music

Music, Movies, and Books

Bulgarian folkmusic. Other ethnic/native music and fusion. In particular LIVE!
Historical novels.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Ok maybe three:
- was 4 month prof. dancer in a famous European circus (Toni Boltini) touring through Israel
- build my "Google" back in 1975 and made the 2nd cd-rom in the world, back in 1985.. (with legal information), still have the one at home
- travelled for year and half through Asia, China and Sovjet Union in a time it was not that simple at all ;-)

Teach, Learn, Share

teach: local culture, Bulgarian music and dance
learn: global culture / trends
share: me and my nice and spacious house, arts, home food!

What I Can Share with Hosts

With host: My travel stories and to invite them to my place. 7 years host now, but never surfed myself...
With guest: Having a nice and enspiring time in Veliko Tarnovo, with some good comfort and privacy at night

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Bulgaria, Netherlands

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