I am a tall (1.96m) Dutchman working as a scientific researcher in the Amsterdam University Medical Center. I love to cycle between work and the beautiful apartment where I live with my fiancé in Amsterdam Noord. We have a garden and two cats (Hugo & Claude), and we know each other from a meditation retreat in 2010. We enjoy nature and craft beer. I also enjoy do-it-yourself construction and electronics projects.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love to combine the practical with leisure and "authenticity". So, when I am visiting a place, it is just more cozy and real to get to know someone local (instead of staying in a mainstream hotel and visiting standard tourist things). Because I enjoy that myself, I also want to offer that possibility to others.

Music, Movies, and Books

I can listen to a wide range of music, also in languages that I don't understand. Many of my favorite songs have some kind of drama or love theme in the lyrics.
Movies and books I haven't had much time for recently. Some favorites are The quest for the holy grail (movie) and Alice in Wonderland (book).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

After studying in Finland for half a year, I cycled back to The Netherlands via Cape North (7250 km in 70 days)

Teach, Learn, Share

I have practiced meditation and studied (Shambhala) Buddhism since 2004. Currently, I am a meditation instructor and I facilitate social (group) mediation. Occasionally I give a talk on Buddhism.

I particularly love to learn about interpersonal relations, how to be genuine, kind and supportive in a way that is truly meaningful.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can cook a decent meal and usually I manage to repair things that are broken ;-)

Countries I’ve Visited

Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Portugal, Senegal, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Finland, Sweden