CURRENT MISSION

My absolute passion is nature. In nature I am the happiest. And when I'm inside, I paint.

ABOUT ME

I'm Belgian, but I've been living in Germany for almost 10 years now. I've got two children, and motherhood is something I find fulfilling and lovely. I have never had so little free time, or so little sleep, but I have never done more in my life than since I have children. They add the right type of chaos.

I'm finishing my M.Sc. Ecology, and now I'm combining this scientific knowledge with art. Mainly, but not exclussively, to reach children.

PHILOSOPHY

Be lovely, laugh. Be authentic and do things that make you happy. Dance (little anecdote: a baby can move on music sooner than it can walk, so somehow we dance before we walk).

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've surfed quite a bit, and hosted a lot. I enjoy sharing my life with people and to temporary live with others.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Couchsurfing is the only way of truly getting to know a place the way locals see it. I find it wonderful that there is a way to travel and meet people and to really experience a place. It is such a personal, individual and exciting experience.

I can't host at the moment, as we don't have the space for it, but hopefully one day again...

Interests

I enjoy hiking and birding immensely. I'm always in for a canoe trip, flying a kite, a cycling tour, a swim in lake or sea, a camping trip, ...

I'm also interested in permaculture, sustainability, self-suffiency, and my head is always full of ideas to upcycle, DIY, grow and make my food.

I've always loved traveling. It greatly defined who I am today. I love seeing different things, doing new things, meeting new people. The scientific term is "migratory restlessness", the urge to go, that translates in being nervous.

• animals
• birds
• diy
• dancing
• education
• cooking
• cheese
• vegetarian
• walking
• traveling
• socializing
• painting
• drawing
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• canoeing
• camping
• swimming
• ecology
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Films/series - I have two young children and lots of ideas; I don't watch films or series.

Music - I like those small, cheerful bands, especially folk-like music (Balkan, French, ...). Preferably with some kind of uncommon instrument to give it all an interesting touch.

Books - There are heaps of books I enjoy. Way too many to mention here...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I try to consider most things I do as amazing, as even small things can contribute greatly to how I percieve things.
A trip to Mallorca comes to mind. My husband and I had rent a little Fiat 500. We drove around the island with it, hiked a lot during the days, and slept in it during the nights. One night, we woke up by some strange bells. Like some kind of Christian church celebration. It was all round us. We took our torches and discovered that the car had been surrounded by a flock of sheep, and the sound were the bells around their necks!

This may sound a little cheesy, but being a mum is one of the most intense and wonderful journeys I have ever embarked on. It's not something I can describe, really, you need to feel it.

Teach, Learn, Share

I probably won't stop talking when we meet. I talk a lot. But I also love to learn about anything and to listen to people that are passionate about something.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Bolivia, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Macedonia, Morocco, Peru, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Spain