1. FOR ME, COUCHSURFING IS NOT FOR HAVING SEX. IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A SEX DATE, USE TINDER.

2. I WORK UNTIL LATE, SO YOU CAN ARRIVE HERE ONLY AFTER 9 (SORRY!), BUT YOU DON'T NEED TO LEAVE EARLY IN THE MORNING

3. I CANNOT HOST DURING THE WEEKEND

Welcome! I am Astrid from Amsterdam. I love collecting and sharing stories and Couchsurfing is a wonderful medium to get in touch with storytellers. I'm open minded and tolerant, but I also have some outspoken opinions. I'm mostly cheerful and I try to make the most out of the short life we have here on this planet.

I love to meet different people and hear about their life. To me, a meeting is most fulfilling when it is a mutual exchange of ideas and views. I like people who are passionate about their own interests and who are also open to new knowledge and new perspectives. I am allergic to arrogance. And very allergic to Donald Trump.

Although I am an atheist myself, I absolutely welcome people from all kind of religions here. The more difference, the more interesting, I think.

PHILOSOPHY

There's no ultimate truth, just different convictions.

There is only one 'successful life': leading the life the way you want it.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have been fortunate enough to have hosted the most diverse types, ranging from a green-haired squatter, to a wannabe politician and a dumpster dive expert to an 'around Europe biker'. I very often think back of my couchsurf experiences. Invaluable memories. Maybe I see CS as a sort of 'Post Graduation programme', as I learn so much from all the 'teachers' (surfers) who visit me. In any case, couchsurfing certainly deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, as it connects people in this rather rough and polarized world.

Please don't feel obliged at all to take any presents, the encounter itself must be the present, so please save your money and spend it on your own trip!

Couchsurfing is a wonderful medium to meet people you wouldn’t come across without the help of the website. However, I think that CS is not always used how it was intented, when it was 'invented'. To me, CS is not about saving as much as possible cash money on accomodation. It is about interaction, sharing valuable ideas and broadening your horizon. I like to meet people who are looking for an encounter in the first place, rather than just a bed for free. I think I turned into a critical (hope not cynical) host, as unfortunately I hosted a few people who saw my house as a free hotel and me as the receptionist. It is very uncomfortable to feel that way in your own house. Since I'm really looking for an encounter with people who are willing to have a back-and-forth conversation, I don't accept people who send requests that could be directed to anybody, which you could copy/paste and only change the name. You really don't have to write a complete chapter, but please make your request personal, show that you've read my profile and please answer one of the following questions (you decide):

- If you were forced to get a tattoo, what kind of tattoo would it be and why?
- Your most beautiful memory?
- The achievement you are most proud of?
- The last time you were completely happy?
- All the thoughts that go through your head right now?
- What quality would you like to have, which you don't have now?
- Your most important lesson of life?
- The last time you did something kind for a stranger?
- Your most 'life changing' encounter?

No, this is not a psychological exam, I just would like to get to know you a little bit better and see whether you are into a conversation when you are here. And don't worry, I leave you completely free to leave and come back whenever you want, you don't have to spend a minimum of hours chatting here with me ;) After all, you're on holiday, so no obligations.

Please also read the text under the header 'My home' (second tab, next to 'About'). Here you can read where you will stay when you surf at my place. I don't live in the city centre, but the area I live in is just as interesting, I think. Anyway, more info's in the 'My home' part ;)

Interests

- Laughing
- having endless conversations
- the unknown
- day dreaming
- storytelling
- getting inspired by people who live a non-mainstream life
- keeping fit
- slow cities
- playing the piano and learning jazz theory
- solving tangrams
- random acts of kindness
- reading and free 'give away' bookshelfs on the street
- creative writing
- guerilla knitting
- making beautiful bicycle tours
- playing with ideas
- living a meaningful life while spending a minimum of money
- absurdism
- discovering the 'hidden spots' in my city
- doing voluntairy work
- candlelight
- following the news
- talking to strangers
- cooking a vegetarian meal
- stepping out of my comfort zone
- making photos: you can see some pictures here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/135905147@N04/

In general I think I can say I am always searching for the adventure. That can be a spectacular trip to the undiscovered beauty spots in far east Russia, but to me it is just as challenging to discover a beautiful sentence in a song on the radio or a clever 'mathematical structure' in a piano jazz song. With just a bit imagination and an open mind, there is so much adventure in the daily life. I like to keep the essence of my childhood and be curious about everything all the time.

• culture
• writing
• cooking
• vegetarian
• vegan
• news
• reading
• knitting
• music
• jazz
• piano
• parks
• stories
• veganism
• photos
• metro
• life stories
• urbanism

Music, Movies, and Books

Favourite films:
-American Beauty;
-Das Leben der Anderen;
-Dancer in the dark;
-Sex lies and videotape;
-The Breakfast Club;
-A Separation;
-Mary and Max;
-Another Year
- all (well, nearly all) Woody Allen films.
In general I like films which deal with ethical dilemmas. I am also a huge fan of the scenarios/dialogues of Alan Ball.
I watched almost all films that deal with the butterfly effect. To mention a few of my favourites: Happenstance; Blind Chance; Run Lola Run; Sliding Doors.

Music:
-The Whitest boy alive,
- C2C
-The Black Keys,
-Al Jarreau,
-Bill Evans
-Jamiroquai,
-Moby,
-Alanis Morissette,
-Genenis
-Tom Jobim
-Stevie Wonder,
-Room eleven,
-Herbie Hancock
-The Beatles,
-The Simple Minds
-The Yellow Jackets,
- Tower of Power,
- Matt Bianco,
- Nina Simone,
- Just Jack
- Air
- Weather Report,
- Philip Glass
- Thomas Newman (he made the music for American Beauty)
- Mike Oldfield... Tubular Bells.... mmmmmm,
-Jamie Cullum are just a few of the artists/bands that spring to mind right now. I like a lot of genres, especially funk, jazz, soul and Irish folk music. Country and western is the only genre that is seriously doing damage to my ears. I have a piano, a guitar and a saxophone at home. It would be nice if you could play an instrument as well and we can have a little jam session here.

Books:
-1984 (George Orwell);
-Making History (Stephen Fry)
-Stoner (John Williams)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I 'knitted' my autobiography. When you are here, I will explain you this crazy sentence ;).

Teach, Learn, Share

To me, the most amazing thing to learn is getting an insight into who you are. I am an inquisitive and interested person and I find it fascinating to share views on life.

What I Can Share with Hosts

The stories of my life. With surfers I can offer you a bed, a shower, a splendid view over a geometrical part of Amsterdam and a breakfast. And you can play with my cat Earl Grey.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jersey, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Morocco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Vatican City State, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands

•