My name is Desi and I am a 26-years old female from the Netherlands. I grew up in a small town next to the beach and so I would call the ocean my home. I have always felt a strong connection with water and am really passionate about surfing.

I enjoy small moments over big achievements. Love animals, am a climate activist, love music, meditation and creating calm and peaceful moments. I enjoy watching the moon and the stars, the patterns birds create in the sky and the seasons changing.

I would describe myself as down-to-earth, sometimes enthusiast, sometimes calm. I am at my happiest surrounded by the people I love or by myself in nature. I love coffee, making food and good conversations. I really enjoy the simple things in life.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Initially a friend and I wanted to travel Portugal and Spain and while doing so we started using couchsurfing. We met up with a guy from Sevilla and till today we are still really close friends. Couchsurfing has given me so much joy and so much introspection as well on where love allows us to go. And how we can use our resources to create a sense of freedom and make us and the people around us thrive.

In my third year of Cultural Anthropology I wrote my thesis on hospitality and trust within the Couch-surfing community. Cultural Anthropology is a Social Science which studies human beings within their surroundings and as being part of their grander culture and social/economic/political structures. The starting point is always the person you are speaking with and their view on a societal issue/life/nature. So when writing this thesis I have been interested in what your motivation is to share your home or create memories.

I had decided to write my thesis on couch surfing, because I believe there is a huge beauty in people spending their time being curious about the others around them. Letting themselves be surprised by what life can give/teach them. I have been interested in how people on this platform view the concept of home and sharing. And how they actively create a safe space where others can feel at home too.

Interests

• yoga
• politics
• reading
• drawing
• guitar
• anthropology
• art
• nature
• mindfulness
• surf
• asian food
• music,
• nature conversation

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite music: Mac Miller, Mac de Marco, Bombay Bicycle Club, Dijon, Mk Gee, Montell Fish

Books: Allan Wats, A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Trekking through the mountains of Nepal

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you some yoga, at the beach or somewhere in a park. I can introduce you into some anthropological topics and I would love to hear your view on it. I would also love to talk about yoga, mindfulness, routines that make us thrive and self introspection.

Otherwise, hanging with the chickens, going to the beach, enjoying the sunset, surfing or enjoying some coffee together.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share a lot about yoga, some qigong, good conversations on finding balance within societal debates/friendships/ yourself/family. I love making art as well and could share how that journey started and help with gaining confidence and learning skills.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, England, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Nepal, Portugal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands