Bob Lenaerts

Personal Designations

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Community Designations

Languages

• Dutch (Belgium)^Expert
• English^Expert
• German^Beginner
• Portuguese (Brazil)^Beginner
• French^Beginner

Groups I Belong To

☞　All New York CouchSurfers Eager to Host!　(Offer or Request a Couch here!) 　☜ 125:100 Why: I'm thinking of visiting new york or another place :)	Sing Along Dendermonde 147:52
Last minute couch in Belgium 1890:8928	Antwerpen 2766:11535 Why: get to know lots of interesting ppl
Active in 9 more groups. Show them all

Couch Information

On my couch there can stay 2 peeps. I have 1 mattress with all the sheets etc... included. And if you have a tent, the garden is yours :)

There are a Queen and a King ( Mom and Dad )in the other part of the house, so even I must respect that. - if three Surfers wish to share the room then they can determine their own sleeping arrangements/combinations - fine by me.. if they can't do this, then the Couch will be determined as accomodating just two surfers...easy


...before you read about my Couch - is your profile complete? I am only interested in hosting those who have made the effort to complete their profiles...(including a photo so that i can recognize you..)

The very nature of CS has trust at its heart and, at a minimum, i would prefer to offer my couch to someone who has been at least verified to Level 1, given a reference or has friends in their Friends List... I see verification as a simple method to communicate to each other that we are indeed who we say we are. That said, if you are not verified, have no References or Friends I will happily meet with you over coffee and determine from that meeting if my Couch is available, appreciating that everyone has to start somewhere.
I don't ask for your ID or passport, but if you want to see mine, then I gladly show it. Just so that we both can feel a little more secure.

My quarters, is at the left side of the house. They have a very big house, with a large garden, chickens, beautiful trees and flowers.


Ideally, if you are with a car, making your way up or down Turnhout, then this would be a perfect location for a stopover. If you are travelling by bus ( Antwerp -Turnhout )then it is possible to stop over, being dropped in VLIMMEREN (5 mins away) for me to collect you, so that you can stay for a day or two before continuing your journey.

If you come by train, then your stop will be in Turnhout, (20 mins) for me to collect you, so that you can stay for a day or two before continuing your journey.


Turnhout is small, so transport isn't required whilst you are here, as everything is within walking distance. If i'm not busy studying I very much enjoy showing folks around, exploring the local attractions.



BTW My couch has NO strict NonSmoking policy ... but - I prefer outdoors if possible!



and, all that being said, it might help to re-read:

1) How to write a Couch request and maybe also:
2) How to be a good guest
3) ...as it is through these guidelines that i am happy to host...

FAQS :

Q: What part of town do you live in?
A: I live in Beerse ( 25 Km away from Turnhout )

Q: How many people live with you?
A: Mom and Dad, 1 dog (Labrador) and 6 chikkens

Q: What is your couch/floor/bed like?
A: A mattrass, a comfy couch and .... :)

Q: Public transportation?
A: Bus to Vlimmeren, train to Turnhout

Q: Can you show people around? Or, are you busy working?
A: I love showing folks around !!.

Q: Do you prefer to go to bed early or late?
A: Depends on how interesting you find me - just start to yawn if you feel sleepy..

Q: Best times that you can host? Weekdays? Weekends?
A: Any time that i'm around and willing really

Q: Do you have blankets?
A: Yep

Q: How many nights are too many?
A: Two is OK then ... hey, let someone else have a turn..

My couch is Tent friendly, so if you want to stay in your tent, then 25 tents are welcome in the big garden.
As we are adults, we can honestly speak about breakfast, dinner and so on.. But, don't think its a free hotel where you can do whatever you want. PLEASE ask something.. please

10 Ways to Improve Your Couchsurfing Odds

 Print this post
      Written by Turner Wright

Although the number of surfers seems to be growing exponentially, hosts have to be particular when choosing who to allow in their homes.

10. Get Verified

Yes, Couchsurfing does require you to pay $25 to get level three verification, but this is a small price to pay; you’re donating to an excellent cause and ensuring people know you’re genuine.

9. Post Plenty of Pictures

It’s always suspicious when your CSing (CouchSurfing) profile lacks any kind of personal touch; where are the pictures of you smiling with friends, family, coworkers? Let other travelers know you’re social, and capable of having fun when the occasion calls for it.

8. Couchsurf with Friends if you have no References

Plenty of people on Couchsurfing won’t take anyone who doesn’t have at least one glowing reference. Granted, we all have to start somewhere, so get your friends to show the world you are capable of crashing in unfamiliar surroundings without incident.

Ask people you know to sign up with CSing and add you to their friends list. An even better choice might be to try surfing locally. Although you certainly have a place to stay in your hometown, there’s no reason you cannot learn from the perspectives of other locals, and since you don’t live thousands of miles away, they might be more inclined to let you stay and build your reference list.

7. Allude to Exciting Travels Abroad

Sharing at least one preview of your travels on a CSing profile can go over well in finding a place to stay. Those offering to host may want to hear how the story goes.

Have you traveled where others have only dreamed of going? If not, do you know someone who has been there, or could share a story for you to tell in your first contact emails?

Photo by re-ality

6. Offer Your Couch at Home

Even if you don’t have a place for a fellow wanderer to stay the night, it’s important to make the offer; say you’re willing to meet someone for coffee and travel talk. Offer to connect them with your local CSing friends who do have decent floor space.

5. Don’t Use Couchsurfing to Hook Up

Maybe I’m off base here, but I just assumed that Couchsurfing was better than your average Match.com. Don’t post that you’re only willing to host members of the opposite sex and have only your single bed to share.

If you meet someone great by circumstance, that’s wonderful, but don’t actively seek it on a site like this.

4. Join and Follow Groups

True, you can just search for couches doing randomized searches under “Couchsurf!”, but another useful method to find or offer lodging is located in the local group listings. Each city should have its own official Couchsurfing group, assuming it doesn’t have ten.

Photo by blmurch

3. Don’t Lie

Don’t want smokers to stay at your place? Say as much. Not gay-friendly? Be honest. Uncomfortable with people staying more than one night? You’d better tell them straight-away, or you could be stuck with The Man Who Came To Dinner.

Couchsurfing is about expanding your horizons, but, when you’re staying with someone, it’s also about compatibility. Don’t put someone out by saying you’re a morning person and then party till 3 AM. Be honest as to who you are and what you want in a CSing experience.

2. Tell People When You Leave the Country

I cannot count the number of CSers I’ve emailed who haven’t gotten back to me; although their profiles mention the possibility of leaving in the near future, they forget to update that they have already been gone six weeks and are unable to host.

And the number one tip…

1. Don’t be Afraid

Couchsurfing is about goodwill, bettering the lives of travelers, and international understanding; the people are not out to beat and rob you. I can understand some people being hesitant about staying in a stranger’s house in a foreign country (especially single ladies), but CSing is not the “Casual Encounters” section of Craigslist.

These people are real, and others will attest to them. Don’t let any fears you might have show through your profile words.

Friends (80)

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Map of friends

Chantal Belmans 29, Female Mol, Antwerp Belgium Friends since August 2008 "Student Collegue Bob Lenaerts" Friendship Type: Close Friend	Kristof Geerts 34, Male Gent, East-Flanders Belgium Friends since March 2007 "via mutual friend" Friendship Type: Good Friend
Tom Lauwers 34, Male Paphos, Paphos Cyprus Friends since December 1995 "I met Bob in 1995 in Turnhout, my birthplace" Friendship Type: Close Friend    7	Christine Hinterlang 109, Female Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa Friends since November 2008 "We met at the Sinterklaas meeting and spent a lot of time hanging out there" Friendship Type: Good Friend    7
Joran Van Gils 25, Male Turnhout, Antwerp Belgium Friends since September 2008 "Bob's a classmate from me." Friendship Type: Friend	Brent Peeters 38, Male Rijkevorsel, Antwerp Belgium Friends since May 2008 "I would do something for some social projects in Brasil during my stay in Natal and posted a message in the Belgium group. Shortly after that Bob contacted me that he would help and we had a drink together in my home town." Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
Inez Volckaert 37, Female Brasschaat, Antwerp Belgium Friends since July 2008 "Came to my birthday party with a mutual friend" Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend	Amy Wang 28, Female Antwerp, Antwerp Belgium Friends since December 2007 "Met him at my first CS meeting in Antwerp" Friendship Type: Friend
Inge de Leijer 28, Female Turnhout, Antwerp Belgium Friends since September 2008 "classmate" Friendship Type: Friend	Patricio Rymer 28, Male Montevideo, Montevideo Uruguay Friends since April 2008 "I meet him while I was Hitch hicking on my way to Holland" Friendship Type: Acquaintance
70 more friends

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From ZACHARINA
 Paphos, Cyprus
 ^{Aug 29, 2011}    

Positive

Thank you Bob! I really enjoyed our meeting. You and Tom made me to spend a very good time.

 

From Tom Lauwers
 Paphos, Cyprus
 ^{Aug 23, 2011}     

Positive

Bob is a very good friend that I met years ago. He is very nice to hang out with; he's relaxed, out-going, fun guy...

he's an ambassador for what couchsurfing is about.

From Elisabeth Verschueren
 Antwerp, Belgium
 ^{May 18, 2010}    

Positive

I met Bob at the Sing Along party in Dendermonde. We had some nice chats and Bob is a really cool guy, interested in lots of (sometimes even dangerous) things. Gave lots of tips on travelling around as he is an experienced CS-er.
Maybe we will meet again....What about the pictures of the Sing Along meeting??? bye

 

From Luca Gentile
 Gent, Belgium
 ^{May 17, 2010}    

Positive

Bob gave me a lot of useful tips about several things... :-)

From AC Boissinot
 Montreal, Canada
 ^{Jul 13, 2009}    

Positive

Bob is a real CS ambassador, and even though he was surfing himself, he acted as my host since ours was busy working. He picked me up, then took me for a nice tour around Phuket all day long on his rented motorbike. That's the spirit! :)

Seriously, Bob is a really friendly, easy-going and funny guy! I had a great time with him! Thanks buddy!

From Da Suksai
 Talat Yai, Thailand
 ^{Jul 12, 2009}     

Positive

Thanks for a long reference, Bob. Mcdonals is a good place to meet ha ha ha. Sorry to have left you alone after I picked you up at Tesco Lotus and sorry that I did not have much time for you. I have been busy and so so sorry. If you miss Phuket and would like to come back, you are always welcome here. Bob is a friendly, easy going and nice guy. We spent a few hours on Patong Beach before I left for my clients. We had another few minutes chatting in Patong Seafood Restaurant with some other friends and ate the most expensive ice-cream. Hope to meet again.

From Mogashni Rodenburg
 Delft, Netherlands
 ^{Jun 7, 2009}    

Positive

I met Bob at a couch surfing event. He offered then to host a friend and myself for that night. He is warm,kind and a good soul. This was my first couch surfing exp and I am now further inspired because of him. Thank is not enough!

From Sophia Vanonckelen
 Gent, Belgium
 ^{Jun 1, 2009}    

Positive

Bobtjen is so sweet and funny and sooo from Beerse (I just love your accent:-)). You can banter with him for hours about nearly anything. Certainly a guy who has his heart and his sense of humour in the right place. Good luck with the upcoming examinations and (more important) the pushy women in Thailand!

From Iveta Gribuste
 Riga, Latvia
 ^{Apr 22, 2009}    

Positive

It was so lovely to meet Bob in Riga! He has a real talent for cooking and feeding people, having fun and enjoying life, and almost inexhaustible humour and energy:) He was chef-cook in our great "eat/drink/sniff along" party at my flat, and we had chance to taste his famous 'scampies' at his host Ieva's place, and travel together to Sigulda was just an unforgettable experience.. Hope to see you again!

From Ieva Ozolina
 Riga, Latvia
 ^{Apr 21, 2009}     

Positive

Bob and Joran were my guests during April, 2009. Bob's joy of living came to me in the right moment, after cold and dark winter. Bob is perso who can laugh and make me laugh. His big heart is open for any experience, people (especially women!), impressions. Diners, trip to Sigulda, walking by Riga- all activities were great spending time! And he is Supercook (or Superman?!)

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