I am a travel addict. So far I visited 144 countries. I am interested in everything that is different, outside the normal stream. I am very curious about the way people live, their culture and religion. So, I'll ask you tons of questions! I have no interest in boring people, admire those who achieve what I cannot, whatever it might be

I live together with my much younger life partner Kristy and our Podenco dog Amoun.. We met via CS, we are a quite unusual couple, but crazy, funny and happy, and we will be happy to host you. Please have a look at Kristy's profile:

(https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/only-kristy)
To avoid possible misunderstandings, a hint that you also checked Kristy's profile will be very much appreciated.

I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY COPY/PASTE REQUESTS. NO FREELOADERS. (One bad experience is enough)

For safety reasons I prefer verified members

To make sure that you read my profile please include the word "BUDMO" in your request.

Lots of people are looking for a couch in Brussels, and I get many requests every day. Somehow I have to be very selective on my guests. Please do not get upset if I refuse your request, even if it is a well motivated one. I really want to help as much as I can, but I need some privacy too

PHILOSOPHY

When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself. (Jacques Yves Cousteau)

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming:
-- WOW-- what a ride!!! (Hunter S. Thompson)

A traveler sees what he sees, a tourist sees what she has come to see.

Some people die at 25 and aren’t buried until 75 (Benjamin Franklin)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I used CS a lot on my travels, mainly to meet people, sometimes to surf. Now I want to give back as much as I can. I assist at most of the local CS meetings and do organize some myself.
I organized CS meetings in Luxembourg, New Zealand, Bahrain and Kuwait. I participated in Cs meetings in China, USA, Peru, Qatar, Thailand and Belgium

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Check out the photo gallery of my guests and hosts. Meantime I used CS most over the world, the results are not the same everywhere. Best experiences: Middle East, Asia. Good: USA, Europe. Mixed to bad: Central America

Interests

Adventure traveling (real one!)Mountaineering, expeditions, extreme sports. Anything out of the normal stream, everything new.But, as soon as I have done something, it is not interesting anymore, otherwise I would not have been able to do it.....So I always look for something new. Until now, no problem to find; I have ideas to fill 2 more lives...Horseback riding Cycling (all sorts) Winter sports (all sorts)etc etc Good food and good wine Playing the piano

• dogs
• culture
• dining
• walking
• politics
• socializing
• classical music
• piano
• mountaineering
• extreme sports
• geopolitics
• languages
• religion
• volunteering
• adventure travel
• musician
• expeditions
• modern history

Music, Movies, and Books

All music, very much world end ethnic music. But also classical music, especially piano, I love Chopin. I play the piano myself; not good, but I love it.

No soaps. No love stories (make me cry) Action and Horror, yes! (I love being scared to death) Documentary movies.

Books: What about travel maps? Are they books? On a serious note: I love my books, have over 2000. I collect mountaineering books. Also: Paolo Coelho, Mario Vargas LLosa, Dan Brown, John Grisham, Mike Horn

I published two books myself: "Welcome to Syria" about my 2009 experience in a Syrian prison; and "Panamericana" about my 2011 motorcycle tour through the Americas. Both books are sold out unfortunately.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

2019: Volunteering in a refugee camp in Lesvos/Greece
2016: Met my BC. Visited Chernobyl
2015: Crucifixions in Manila, Monastery stay in Myanmar
2014: North Korea, a must see
2013: Left all behind me and started a new life in NZ
2011-2012: Driving 46000km by motorcycle for 6 month through all 23 countries of North- Central and South America.
2010: Crossing China on bicycle 4500km
2010: Traveling 1 week with camels through Taklamakan desert
2010: Crossing Kyrgyzstan on Horseback
2009: Cycling Luxembourg-Beirut(5200km)
2009: 8 days in Syrian prison for spying
2007: Crossing Tibet and Himalaya on Mountain bike
2006: North Pole by dog sledge
2006: Living a week with a Papou tribe
2006: Saved a woman's life and almost got lynched for that
2005: South Pole on Ski
2005: Attempting Everest
2002: Walking 2000 km from Luxembourg to Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
1997-2007 Summiting 6 of the "Seven summits"
plus: Ironman Hawaii, Race across America, Route 66 etc etc

Teach, Learn, Share

First of all: I want to hear YOUR stories. Everybody has a story to tell.

I have seen a lot on this small planet, have been on quite unusual places and lived some weird experiences. I was in prison, I saved lives and was close to loose mine a few times.

I can tell you about polar expeditions, mountaineering, and long distance traveling by foot, bicycle and motorbike.

What I Can Share with Hosts

We love to cook with our guests, usually we cook one day and our guests the next one. That's why we are not happy to get people for just one night; it's just not long enough to get to know each other well. Especially as some guests arrive late at night and want lo leave the next day already.

I can give you a lot of info about Brussels, maybe we can explore the city together; but that is depending individually of our guests.

Otherwise: Stories, fun, beer and wine

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Antarctica, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, England, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Martinique, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican City State, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, China, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Ukraine

• 

•