Hi there!

I'm Nicky. I am from Rotterdam, but moved to Nijmegen for studies! I'm curious, and very interested in culture and different world-views (also yours!). While being away, I experienced that meeting people abroad is the best way to get to know a place and make the strongest memories! The other way around, hosting people is the best way to get to know something about the world when your not able to travel yourself :)

The things that make me happy are open-minded people, stories, feeling free, dogs and mountains. My spare time I spend being outside running, cycling, rowing and making long, peaceful hikes while listening to a good book or some nice music. Furthermore, I enjoy a good picnic, walking trough new places (preferably barefoot and without having a specific goal, yes I'm that weirdo) and seeing art in random things.

I was born and raised in the Netherlands, and as a real Dutchman I'm very tall, I have a special relationship with my bike and I love cheese, haring and hagelslag. But let's forget about the stereotypes; above all, I love discovering new things :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Well, I'd like to become as open-minded as possible; being able to look at things while letting go of my own background. Couchsurfing is perfect for this! I have quite some theories on how things might work, but I'm very indecisive and I'd love some help :) It always surprises me how every single person is able to teach you something or inspire you somehow. Also, the idea of helping others you don't know like this, is beautiful in my opinion!

Interests

• arts
• design
• cooking
• running
• rowing
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Erykah Badu, Tom Waits, Faber, Amy Winehouse, India.Arie, Snoh Algera, Joy Crookes, The Internet, SZA, Led Zeppelin, Edith Piaf, Spinvis, Frank Ocean, Buana Vista Social Club

For me, a good film gives you food for thought and the feeling of a 'new experience'. Some titles I thought where very impressing are: cicade de deus, before sunrise, jagten, breaking the waves, unter sandet, que horas elta volta, Nymphomeniac, the Shawshank redemption and the Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind.

Books: A Little life, The Cemetery of the Forgotten Books, 1984, Norwegian wood, Eva Luna, Love and Cholera, the unbearable lightness of being, Night train to Lisbon, Sapiens

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Couchsurfing! And surviving life so far. Hitchhiking to Copenhagen alone (sorry mama). Hiking parts of the Kungsleden. Some half marathons.

And taking power naps in some of the most beautiful places I know: the Retiro Park in Madrid, the Gellerts hill in Budapest, the Englischer garden in Munich, the Donau Insel in Wien, the beaches of Sao Paulo, the Fagaras mountains in Romania and the Osterberg in Tubingen. In my opinion, a good nap is the best way to get familiar with a place :)

Teach, Learn, Share

I am very talented at missing trains or losing keys (some would call me chaotic), so I could tell you all about staying calm in hopeless situations like that.

You can always practice your Dutch with me, but first give me a real good reason why you want to learn dutch. Although it is a beautiful language, we all speak English. I would enjoy giving you some nice dutch words or sentences, and see you struggle pronouncing them :)

Last but not least, I am very willing to share my cake recipes with you. I basically bought all my friends with those cakes (you can buy love, don't believe the Beatles).

What I Can Share with Hosts

...food? Hopefully a good laugh or some nice stories

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United States, Viet Nam