CURRENT MISSION

To be present. To meet people. To have fun. To share.

ABOUT ME

Im fascinated by the question of how to live a "good life" and love to discover new places, people, and ideas that shape an understanding of this. I love to explore the approaches that cultures and people have developed to life's challenges and mysteries. I hope to bring balance and peace into my life by developing deeper understanding of my feelings and experiences, and how to best relate to others and the environment. I am excited about all the deep and creative thinking and living happening today!

PHILOSOPHY

I live because each moment has some kind of a lesson on how the next moment can be better. My experience has taught me that life gets better and that wishing this for others brings much happiness. I want to better understand so that I can cultivate peace and ease in myself and share this with others.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have been kindly hosted by so many people while traveling. Every encounter is special, and the generosity of people is overwhelming. I have been a couch-surfing host less often, but love the new perspective that people bring with them! I love to cook and share ideas and experiences.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Couchsurfers I have met share a common passion for people and life. I became good friends with a couple from Belgium who stayed for a while with me in Victoria, BC. They helped me practice french, baked Belgium waffles, and diversified and livened dinner conversation... what more could one ask for!

Interests

Jacques: I have just finished a masters in the environmental management of drinking water and have a deep interest in ecology. I have a passion for the practice of (Iyengar) yoga and meditation. I love music and play many styles of guitar. Being in nature is my refreshment. I love to run, swim, and cycle outside as much as possible. Culture and history absorb me. My current plan is to combine all these interests by cycling around the world with my dear girlfriend, Sarah, and explore the many ways to live life.

• culture
• dancing
• environment
• dining
• cooking
• yoga
• running
• meditation
• drinking
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• guitar
• cycling
• surfing
• swimming
• biology
• ecology
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Rodrigo y Gabriella, Jose Gonzales

Books: The Age of Wonder, Old Path White Clouds

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Jacques:

My first independent traveling through southern Europe, when I was 17, was exhilarating. I took trains to different cities and camped throughout Italy. I loved being "lost" in place unfamiliar, but also felt a sense of anxiety from being surrounded by unknowns. This mix of feelings has accompanied me and enriched the experience of all my subsequent travels.

Some of my most formative experiences have occurred during periods I have spent with contemplative communities. I have often traveled to quiet locations where my perspective has changed and informed my life's direction. The world seemed so rich and beautiful while I stayed with a community of monks in central France one summer. A week of silence made me happier than I had ever felt before.

I was very fortunate to spend a few weeks observing social programs in Lebanon last summer. After three years in West Canada, the contrast was striking and the energy of the people was enthralling. I loved hearing and trying to learn Arabic, eating Lebanese food, trying to dance in time to Arab music, and exploring ancient religious sites. I could spend many interesting years there!

Teach, Learn, Share

Jacques has taught: Undergraduate biology, guitar, surfing, and yoga... and will share whatever happens to be on his mind!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Lebanon, Namibia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, United Kingdom