CURRENT MISSION

to welcome and be welcomed

ABOUT ME

I love to be on my way, by train, by boat, by plane, by foot...preferably with a one-way ticket. I've always been having guests staying with me even before couchsurfing, sometimes for just a night and at times for over a year. I like to invite the world into my home at those periods my life does not allow me to take that one way ticket.

When I have time, I like to show you my favourite places in the Netherlands, like typical dutch countryside, natural areas and villages, mostly areas oustide of the major touristic cities that can only be reached by car. Lots of travellers stay here to relax and refuel after months of travelling and usually they feel comfortable and at home, which is really nice for me as well.

I joined this community to learn, to share and create new friendships. So please try to see if there is something to share before you contact me, as I do with you.

PHILOSOPHY

Others have already said it better then I, so here goes...

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." Albert Einstein

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

By being a host as well as a guest, and helping people coming here if they are in need.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Sofar it has been only positive and inspiring. I have met some great people and found good friends through cs.

Interests

Photography, culture, art, history, religion, massages, cooking, animals (DOGS!), diving (I am a divemaster), meeting lovely and peculiar people, driving around without a plan, nature, rural places, snowy mountains, fireplaces in the winter, exploring what is at the end of a small dusty road, clean air, home grown vegeatables, learning languages, listening to great stories.

Music, Movies, and Books

I read too much to write down... Herman Hesse, Pearl S. Buck, Frederik van Eeden, Marquez, Couperus, Tolstoj, Camus are among my favourites.
Movies: Polanski, Zhang Yimou, Jim Jarmusch, Gabriele Salvatores, Pedro Almodóvar are some of the directors I love.
Music: Jazz, soul, blues, bossa nova, classic, reggae...visit my youtube channel and have a look at my playlists and favourites http://www.youtube.com/user/madeliefvanwissen.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Life.

Teach, Learn, Share

I try to absorb life as much as I can, and live for learning..unfortunately I am a lousy teacher.

I would love to learn tango, Italian, horseriding, spearfishing, and flying a helicopter. So if you happen to have one of these skills, please feel free to contact me :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Belgium, Belize, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Netherlands

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