CURRENT MISSION

To appreciate this little blue planet and its inhabitants.

ABOUT ME

L: Born in NYC (Greenwich Village), grew up in NYC and Rome. Living for many years in Madison, WI, where I originally came for college. Came back for grad school and never left. Would probably be described as friendly, outgoing, helpful, a food enthusiast, curious, and interested in learning about other cultures (and their jewelry...!).

B: Born and raised in Rotterdam, NL. Moved to U.S. after a few extensive hitchhiking tours of the U.S. and Central America. Lived in Alaska for 5 years before moving to WI. Loves downhill skiing (also teaches), plays guitar and can build/fix just about anything.

PHILOSOPHY

The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

We have hosted 5 visitors and are looking forward to meeting new friends as both hosts and guests.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

We have hosted 5 times and been hosted once. Very good experiences.

Interests

Slow Food movement and sustainable farming issues. Lisa has been taking flamenco dance classes for nearly 3 years. We like trying to learn at least a few words of various foreign languages. Mostly nonfiction reading. Growing, cooking and preserving food. Cocktails. Bert likes to make his own bread, beer and cheese (and he's an ex-pastry chef, so we rarely visit a bakery). We like camping and road trips and getting off the highway.

• dancing
• flamenco
• dining
• cooking
• cheese
• beer
• cocktails
• baking
• reading
• homebrewing
• music
• guitar
• camping
• skiing
• languages
• hitchhiking
• road trips
• tours

Music, Movies, and Books

Just about any music--from Classical to classic rock, blues, opera, gypsy jazz, world music, pop, big band, etc. Always fun to be exposed to new bands/sounds/genres.

Made From Scratch, Better Off, The Contrary Farmer (Lisa's been on a homesteading book kick, with help from the library) We are particularly fond of non-fiction, but a good novel is always welcome. We are also the types that read cookbooks.

L: huge fan of movies from the 30s and 40s. I was a revival house rat from the age of 12. Also love documentaries.

B worked for a bit at Film International, Rotterdam--likes the art house films, Japanese samurai, action, sci-fi.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Being invited by a friend's family to visit an elderly widow in mourning in Andhra Pradesh, India. I couldn't communicate with most of the women that day, but it was a powerful bonding moment.

Seeing the Parliament building and bridges in Budapest lit up at night.

Teach, Learn, Share

Italian cooking, downhill skiing, homebrewing

What I Can Share with Hosts

Cooking, music, baking and hopefully good company.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, India, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Italy, Netherlands, United States