Hi I'm Maaike! (No offence if you have no idea how that's pronounced :))
I'm an artist hailing from the Netherlands, but currently I live in my big blue campervan which I'm touring around Europe. Due to Covid I'm mostly sticking to France for the time being, living and working on the road, but I'd love to meet people while both parties are fit and healthy!

Last year I did a big cycling tour through Scotland, cycling over a 1000km in roughly two weeks, camping and sleeping in nature. I had a blast meeting people via couch surfing, especially as being exposed to the elements meant that an occasional warm shower was very welcome (but the company was even warmer!)

Interests

• animals
• writing
• cooking
• reading
• minimalism
• philosophy
• art
• mountain biking
• illustration
• veganism
• digital nomad
• vanlife
• reading and writing

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm a musical omnivore, but my favourites are Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson, Something for Kate, Elbow and Big Big Train... a lot of it falls in the prog, indie and electronic rock genres, though I'm known to enjoy jazz, metal, trip-hop and folk.

When I watch movies, it's mostly classic Hollywood! Film Noir is by far my favourite genre. Fav actors... Dick Powell, Farley Granger, Dana Andrews, Richard Conte, Sterling Hayden, Alain Delon, Veronica Lake and Alan Ladd. Films... Murder, my sweet - The Big Combo - This Gun for Hire - Le Samouraï - Double Indemnity - The Third Man.

I'll read most genres of books, but I'm particularly partial to stories that match my tastes in film, stories about crime, human darkness, nihilism, fatalism and absurdism. I'll read pulpy crime dramas as well as Albert Camus.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Cycled through Scotland with nothing but my little mountain bike and about 10kg worth of gear. A tent, a sleeping bag and my phone for navigation. I struggled my way up into the mountains, because while I'm not the fittest person around, I'm certainly the most dogged. Seen awesome sights before landing in Inverness for about a month, working/volunteering in a cute little hostel on the hill. I made amazing friends while there.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm vegan and I can cook pretty kickass meat-free chilies, curries and gumbos! Feel free to set me loose in your kitchen if you want to experience some new tastes :D (I love spicy food.)
Note: I won't be offended if my hosts aren't veggie and also don't sweat it if you can't cook for me, I can bring my own food :)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm a quiet, tidy individual who doesn't leave a mess. I don't mind doing chores in exchange for my stay. I might seem a little shy at first but once you get me talking, I love getting absorbed in engaging conversation. :) Happy to go out for a drink to the pub, happy to have a night in, happy to be left to do my own thing!

I've lived in the UK for 5 years so my English is pretty strong, still working on my French (which is very very basic), but perhaps you can teach me a word or two! I can talk about weird language oddities for hours!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands, United Kingdom