Hey, thanks for visiting my profile here :)

Please read my profile AND 'My Home' before asking me to host you. I get many requests. I host only occasionally, when it fits into my schedule, and only when I feel there will be some kind of rapport, so I will unfortunately have to say no often. I ignore requests from people who are just looking for a free place to crash and sleep (that’s not what couchsurfing is about) or from families of three or four who want to move in for a couple of days (yup, that actually happens 🤣). I try to respond quickly to requests from people who seem to have taken notice of my profile and home section, and get the concept of couchsurfing 😆

My apartment is in 'De Jordaan', part of the historical centre of Amsterdam, close to Westermarkt, Anne Frank House, Leidseplein and museum quarter (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Stedelijk (modern art). Bus / tram stops are around the corner.

I'm semi-retired but still do a lot of work (mainly pro deo), and mainly from home.

Bit of a social activist at times

Gay / gay friendly
(Some guys who are gay or curious about it want discretion; in that case I will not submit / expect a reference)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I heard about couchsurfing by coincidence. A friend from Malaysia who stayed with me for a couple of days (summer 2015) told me about it. I thought is was a great concept, so I joined the community, mainly as an occasional host. In my experience it is a great way to meet and connect with interesting people from different backgrounds and cultures. I wholeheartedly support the key values of couchsurfing: Share your life; Create connection; Offer kindness; Stay curious; Make the world a better place.

Interests

Photography (especially taking portraits); playing piano (classical); reading (books, newspapers, scientific publications); YouTube; watching movies in the cinema and binge watching (Netflix) tv series at home; food (preferably healthy food but I do love sweet things); visiting musea; just enjoying having a morning coffee or afternoon drinks and snacks at one of my favourite places in the beautiful historical canal area of Amsterdam where I live; experiencing different cultures; talking about political, cultural and social issues; working out a bit (got some equipment at home); having breakfast and a walk by the sea (usually in Zandvoort, abt 35' drive from Amsterdam); travelling (not that much recently though) Belgian beers; etcetera

• photography
• movies
• piano

Music, Movies, and Books

This could be a long list. Some random favourite movies: Tapas (I love that one!); Smoke; Le Conseguenze dell’ Amore; A Single Man; The Ghostwriter.
Documentaries: Inside Job; Experts speak out (abt 9/11).
Series: Desperate Housewives (great entertainment, brilliantly done); The Crown; Breaking Bad / Better call Saul;
Books: Big fan of John Grisham (good entertainment with a healthy dose of activism - almost all his books are a critique of the US judicial system).
I don’t read a lot of ‘literature’ - not good 🙈
I do spend a lot of time reading scientific publications and following experts regarding subjects that interest me.

I will add more to this

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Saved a Chinese victim of slave trade (not sex- but labour-related). It wasn’t so amazing actually, just something I was alerted to by friends. It made me angry and I decided to stop my regular work (for about a month, as it turned out) to (successfully) deal with it in cooperation with the police, justice department, an NGO and the government. In general I sometimes like to help ppl who encounter injustice / legal issues. If you’re interested I can tell you more if we meet.

Teach, Learn, Share

Pretty good at (real) massage (got a professional table)
Meaningful conversation
I enjoy people photography

Some of my piano recordings:
from Robert Schumann, Bunte Blätter:
https://www.facebook.com/100002206642171/videos/2934158270001032/
https://www.facebook.com/100002206642171/videos/2934153350001524/

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands