CURRENT MISSION

Working part time in my fields, always learning new skillsin as many fields as possible, user of Galilean methodology where details of facts are the core to looking, thinking and doing.
Thus, enjoying life as much as possible and travelling far and wide inside and out!
Heavens to Murgatroyd; exit stage left...

ABOUT ME

I am a scientist who loves littérature, poetry, prose, philosophy, music, dance, sports and so many things that make life pleasant despite its hardships such as the plain TRUTH !
I sing with a good voice!
I have two grown children and live in a nice cosy little big house in a village atmosphere in the southernmost part of Bruxelles surrounded by forest, fields and stream. Yes, folks; the Hamlet of Verrewinkel with its big 150 years old, 60 m Beech & Birch trees, sometimes struck by lightning and stormy winds and its legends of the druids and other little people.
Officially retired I will keep active always, hopefully!
I have traveled throughout Europe and the U.S (I lived five years as a teen ager in San Francisco) as well as Africa were I lived for ten years in Bukavu, Kivu RdC as a kid till I was 13 years old (1960).
I still want to travel to far away destinations as stated below!
A scholar, aesthete, oenologist, gourmet and sportsman all my life, I fly ultralights, sail boats and ride a Harley most of the time!
I like to travel mostly on a motorcycle! I've ridden more than 400.000 km so far.
Have you read Pirsig's book "Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance"?
That's my way of life with struggle and joy mixed whenever they appear.
If you can find me a chopper a cheap buy or rental price when I visit you; you would be so kind! Smile!

I like people who live for the love of life and each other, not for material reasons only! I like truly generous people .. With Philotimo spirit.
Cheers, and come up and see me sometimes!

PHILOSOPHY

Carpe Diem and Festina Lente! Life is a subtle game to play and it can be very fulfilling if you know how to share properly! You should receive and you should give as much as you can according to your means! It does not have to be material, it can be friendship, care, sharing a toil, working, troubleshooting! Respect is primordial. I know what I want most of the time, but I like surprises and will follow any interesting lead for betterment and discovery! I am not a freeloader and I don't expect people to be. When they tend to be I tell them straight off.
It will be of use to them with the next host.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Well I can host people who come to Belgium and hope to be able to couch when I travel abroad especially in distant areas where lodging budget is dire!
Give and take! Sharing is hopefully a well balanced game!
I like and practice comprehensive immediate generosity.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've done "CouchSurfing" (before the Internet even existed) many times when I traveled on low budgets! Town halls had lists of willing hosts especially in poor south & eastern countries
I never had much problems in the communities I visited!
They were usually open people not afraid to talk and discover!
I've got a rather large general knowledge and a good imagination!
I can and like to solve problems!
When I host I do NOT like ONE NIGHTERS especially in groups.
Come late, leave early, no time for contacts.
Although I will help a solo in real need. I can tell.
Hostels are there for ONE night..

When I go to somebody's house I would never dream of coming empty handed. Somebody who will host me deserves due respect and generosity.
Couchsurfing is full hospitality but it is not to be abused as such.
When I leave I reiterate with a smaller gift well deserved as the host has helped me and cared beyond the fact that he has given me free lodging.
This does not mean big spending as most couchsurfers have no silver lining, but this should be sensitively understood to keep misunderstandings at bay.
Giving and taking is a subtle thing. It's all in the way you do it.

Interests

I am interested in things of quality not quantity!
So I thing I could become interested in just about anything really if it provides insights on what life is all about!
I like strength but not violence, showmanship but not arrogance, precision but not maniacry! And so on...
At my age I have a lot of experiences to share but also to learn, so I always like a good discussion even on controversial issues.
Look, think and dare do then...

• arts
• books
• poetry
• singing
• concerts
• dancing
• environment
• cooking
• walking
• drinking
• flying
• traveling
• billiards
• cars
• music
• sailing
• sports
• rock climbing
• hang gliding
• american football
• soccer
• tennis
• bowling
• teaching
• history
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

I am over the hill and traveling higher still!
I have enjoyed many books (classics and otherwise) and much music, seen many films and documentaries and written a lot too since I was a kid!
I've published many scientific papers and produced Internet sites for artists and artisans!
I like philosophy, science, good realistic and historical litterature of all epochs, films, theatre and music! Philotimo always...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Living childhood till 13 in the beautiful Kivu (Bukavu) Congo and Ruanda (Kigali) unfortunately turned hell in the nineties!
I never went back.
Then immediately end of 1960 and our return to Belgium my family moved to the USA where I spend my adolescence till I was 18 in San Francisco, California.
After 4 years and 8 months there, getting an award for best English composition and also a price on a written piece about Global US Traffic Dangers proposed by the National Safety Council sponsored by Warner-Ward leasing Co. A plaque and 100 bucks cheque, given by Joe Di Maggio with a warm handshake of Marilyn’s husband. Imagine!
I am second hand now!
Beyond its wide and varied intellectual content of the time (YES) I liked to play American football in S.F. and our quarterback at Lincoln High was Mike Holmgren.
I was the first soccer style kicker in U.S. High School football history then (1965). Now no one would kick the ball pointed toe anymore. Great times in Kezar Stadium final against Washington High.
After this flower power youth I really discovered my country Belgium at 18; and getting used to this awkward but lovely surrealist land in the middle of everywhere culturally was something special indeed.
A treat as patience is the ultimate virtue.
Working at 17 on a Norwegian tanker as Messboy (Yes kids: 12 hours a day, 7 days a week except in ports with the local "girls"! (ha ha)), followed by speleology, climbing high level in the Alps, Vercors, Calanques and Freyr especially with Il "Divino Claudio" Barbier. http://www.claudiobarbier.be
Getting an unexpected Biochemist degree and a PhD in Cellular Dynamics.
Hang Gliding with early Rogallo wings and after following the splendid development of free flight. Flying Ultralights & forming the "Must Team" with three 10 m² racer wings.
Organizing the first and second Round Belgium Microlight Rally (83 and 84) and competing in the third one.
Getting "Outstanding Contribution" recognition award from EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) in Oshkosh and from FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) as Honorary Colibri. 1984.
Flying my wings high and travelling a lot usually on my Harley everyday and around greater Europe.
Scoring a football goal with a half volley kick from sixty meters. Scoring a perfect 11 strikes in a row at bowling once (300).
No "stoeff" either, all is true and lucky too!
Being Rider of Poland (Harley).
Bronze medal pool championship 2011 Holleken 8-Ball Club.
You can tell I like challenges and interesting meets!
I have two wonderful successful children Lionel(1981) and Gladys(1990) and had and still have magnificent partners, friends and visitors and that is very and most important!
And last but not least; attending three Rory Gallagher concerts and having a drink with him at the Grand Place. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiGH8_lkSaA&feature=related
In 2010 I survived a high speed crash with 2 cars out of control in front of me on highway blocking 2nd & 3rd lane!
The Impact crush-broke my left scaphoïde and carpal bones and 2 ribs.
Don't hold the steering wheel at the last moment, people. Let go!
Stayed cool, got bag with PC, camera, cell phone, on the side of the road to call ambulance for 2 people hurt, but not badly, and I.
Luck in a high danger zone! Adrenalin adventure.
Life is short and unpredictable.
Live it to the fullest and always do right!!!
2018 gave me a reminder of that with heavy peritoneal surgery.
Made it back struggling. Few adherence still.
I thus redid my Harley completely. She is like new after 25 years and 198.000 km and Clouded Panther Heavy Metal motif.
She is ready for the same for the next 20 years carrying me and whoever is willing.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am a teacher and a student combined! A drifter at my hours.
Research and discovery inside and out is my whole life.
I like people who master things or wish to do so humbly but surely.
One cannot master everything of course but as a disciple of Pico della Mirandola you can try at least to understand as many concepts as possible!
Don't believe what you are told especially "officially".
Triple check facts with proper methodology.
Galileo come back we need you again.
Walking that difficult path with determination as confusion lurks is the goal of a lifetime.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Very sorry but for an undetermined time I shall only be able to host on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Thus NOT on Sunday nor Monday.

NO ONE NIGHTERS EITHER PLEASE. Especially NOT groups.
Except for real, real emergency for maximum 2 Cs. I can tell!
People come late and leave early. No fun and lots of hassle for host.
Cs is not stop over Hostel.
Otherwise spend your night time out partying.
I did at you age. No big deal.

Please use the specific request form.
The Couchsurfing People have spend a lot of working time to design it! It has a purpose.
The Dashboard.
I wish the putative guests would spend 1/1000th of that time designing their profile properly with respectful and elegant words, imaginative pictures showing themselves and their come along friends (In English specify the gender ;-) ...
Minimalist opportunism is getting out of hand as everywhere.
I just DO NOT understand this!
DO NOT bring up the "I AM NEW" excuse! You have a brain and an education! Use them !
So courage New Couchsurfing People and show your worth, or find another host.

The "Little Big House with the Red 'n Gold door" is in a forest (Sonian), fields and streams environment.
“La Ville à la Campagne” dear to Alphonse Allais.
Pictures and words to your intention and the guest/host references speak for me.
The rest you will discover according to your knowledge, intelligence, even beliefs!
Your curiosity and sensitivity are paramount.
A good debate on facts and their diverse interpretations is always challenging and I like that; but I like also sports like football, tennis and 8 ball pool.
So get ready for PL MotD... Saturday and Sunday.

Educated thoughtful Opinions and Sporty Open Minds mix well.

I like to cook and see and taste my guests' cooking.

A gift to the host according to our "Roman values" as I cross their door shows Respect. This is as Belgians DO!

And of course keeping Mr Natural alive and kicking.
And when he has had enough he will tell you understandably to be sure.
Read my body language and give me privacy, kids.
And cheers plenty will be,
Always Remember Ithaca http://www.cavafy.com/poems/content.asp?cat=1&id=74

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Andorra, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burundi, Canada, Congo, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Haiti, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, San Marino, Scotland, Serbia, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Western Sahara

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Democratic Republic of Congo, England, Italy, United States

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