CURRENT MISSION

Stay happy, put a smile on other people's faces, travel some more, run a marathon, write that jaw-dropping article, learn under water photography and bake a proper cake for once in my life!

ABOUT ME

Hi!

Welcome to my world. The world of a journalist working with the Africa desk of Radio Netherlands Worldwide, travelling to weird places, covering emergencies and successes alike and meeting wonderful people. Hopefully you'll soon be one of them.

Curious about my globetrotting adventures? Check out my blog: http://www.sidewaysnews.com/blogs/mirjam-van-den-berg

I like languages, writing, photography, the smell of a cappuccino and chocolate (which girl doesn't!). But I also like overlooking a city from a high point, meeting fish under water, a glass (or two) of wine on the beach, architecture, design and losing all notion of time while in a book store.

I'm left-handed, which, according to some study, identifies me as an open-minded, creative person. I'm a cultural omnivore, enjoying the Tate Modern as much as the Louvre, innovative design as much as Rodin's sculptures and Bridget Jones as much as Madame Bovary.

I recently took up running, and am still determined to complete a marathon by the time I turn 30. I roller blade and wish I would have more time for scuba diving.

I spent a fair amount of time abroad, for work, study and pleasure. I'm not the kind of person that goes to some far away country to just observe the interior of a five-star hotel. I rather travel by public transport, meet locals, share a laugh and some stories and leave with wonderful memories.

Any questions? Feel free to ask!

PHILOSOPHY

Never, ever stop wondering and wandering! Live your life like Peter Pan (although with a different outfit, perhaps), and listen before you judge.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I started by getting a guide to The Hague and washing the bedding and towels. Then I cleaned up my spare room a bit, and now that's all set and done, come and stay!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I spent nights and nights on friends floors/mattresses/rugs (and they on mine!) even before I heard about CouchSurfing.

Now that I'm officially part of the CS-bunch, I'm curious to find out if it is indeed as much fun as I've been promised....

My first guest was Aiping from China, and as good a guest as any first-time host could wish for!

Then I went to Iceland with a friend, and we were hosted by Setta who, rather spontaneously, decided to do some Couchsurfing herself and left us her apartment. It was a great way to enjoy Reykjavik and its surroundings.

Lina and Katie came to stay one very sunny Sunday afternoon and evening, and it was simply a lovely time we spent together.

Interests

My life, your life and the short period of time where these two overlapse. Oh, and of course all the other things I mention on this page.

• fish
• arts
• culture
• writing
• books
• poetry
• architecture
• design
• photography
• dancing
• chocolate
• wine
• marathon
• running
• politics
• traveling
• blogging
• guitar
• fishing
• hiking
• surfing
• scuba diving
• journalism
• languages
• tourism
• hitchhiking
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

French music, Britpop, salsa, chansons à texte, Arthouse films, Les Guignols de l'Info, Un gars une fille, Amelie, Closer, 5x2, Breaking the waves, All the President's men, Leon, A bout de souffle, Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, Lars von Trier, Almodovar, weekend newspapers, The time traveller's wife, Peter Pan, Madame Bovary, travel guides, photography books and fairy tales.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hitch-hiking 600 km through Africa on my own? Marrying off my gran to a retired Malinese cotton farmer? Diving in what used to be a volcano crater? Reporting on earthquakes and floods? Dancing underneath the full moon with Peul nomads in Niger? Overlooking Paris' rooftops?

What's Next?

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you: making cartwheels on the beach, weird yet useful Dutch/English/French phrases, how to make that picture perfect and how to put on paper what's on your mind, exactly how it's in your mind.

I'm happy to share with you: my thoughts on journalism/culture/art/politics, my sunny roof terrace, a fun day and/or night out or in, home-made brownies and my collection of fridge poetry. Have a cappuccino, sit on my kitchen floor and amaze me with your linguistic skills (it's in English, so don't worry).

I'd love to learn: how to make PC computers stop crashing on me, how to include fancy technical stuff on the website I will once have, how to dance salsa properly, how to play a guitar, surfing, the name of stars in the sky (instead of just going: 'Over there, that very bright one. No, that OTHER very bright one, next to erhm... that smaller star.') and what to do when you're lost for words.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Germany, Guatemala, Israel, Mali, Niger, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Netherlands, United Kingdom