I'm a business owner and a computer programmer. Since a five years I co-run a company with 20 employees, that is trying to increase efficiency in the use of large office and university buildings (with the main goal that fewer buildings are necessary, leaving more space for nature).

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It all started in Sopot, Poland, where I first got introduced to the Couchsurfing meetup. Since then, I have gone to meetups, surfed myself, but mostly hosted many many people -- as far I can tell generally with mutual satisfaction.

I believe that hosting is a two-way street. If I host you, and I have the time, I'm very happy to cook for / with you, drink good wine, take you for some very nice local food. I do really like if my surfers do in exchange open up, listen to my stories and tell me theirs. Sharing experiences is the best part of the deal!

Interests

Languages, history, traveling, computer science, in general just about anything except for mind-numbing time-spending doing nothing.

• dining
• cheese
• vegetarian
• traveling
• cycling
• windsurfing
• swimming
• computer science
• history
• international relations
• languages
• science
• sustainability
• recycling

Music, Movies, and Books

Best films, really depends on my mood. I love things like Invictus, An Englishman in New York or Woman at War for the more serious ones. I love to laugh with basically anything from DreamWorks or Lego Batman, but also oldies like Blues Brothers. I love Quentin Tarantino, how he makes you think about film-making.

Books: I have to admit, I am a scholar. History, politics (both fictional and non-fiction), economics (as far as I understand it) and I just finished something on Quantum Physics. Check the photo of my "library". Some of the more famous fiction: Sharantam, Cloud Atlas, modern and old classics such as Hitchhikers Guide, Dune, Uncle Tom's cabin, Alice in Wonderland, Winnie the Pooh, Grapes of Wrath.

In non-fiction I loved "Guns of August (about the start of the first world war), Long Walk to Freedom (about Nelson Mandela's life).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Kayak tour in Cuba, that ended with us being invited by the boss of the company for a real cuban dinner and drinks.

Driving a motorbike through New England in the snow.

Cycling though Scotland.

Haarlem - Berlin in 4 days on a bike.

Live in San Francisco for 3 months (yes, I actually lived there, planned to stay, but plans changed), getting up every morning for a run with the sun on your face and the Golden Gate in the distance.

But I guess most of all, best memories are the people I've met on the road, and those whom I've welcomed to my house.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd be very happy to teach English; My english is close to fluent, and I've had numerous experiences teaching it, both in classroom setting, and just to friends through endless conversation. Furthermore I have very wide knowledge. Computer science is my main subject (and I'd be happy to tell you all about it), but I can talk about history, current affairs, international relations. And.... I love to share my knowledge, love even more to absorb some!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I guess all of the above ;)

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Martinique, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Saint Martin (French part), Scotland, Seychelles, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S., Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States