Amidst our WWI and WWII explorations, we came to meet another wonderful family through Couchsurfing. The De Vuyst family were a super energetic group of 5 who had just recently returned from their own amazing travel experience in New York City and California.
The family took us on a night time tour of Bruges which is a gorgeous city filled with beautiful buildings and yummy chocolate shops! We had some great home cooking along with some excellent conversations. Stay tuned for Mikhaila’s post on Bruges tomorrow.
The family has a wonderful collection of pets that are not what we would expect in Toronto: goats, chickens, a rabbit, and a deer! The girls enjoyed meeting the animals and Zoe pulled on some boots and fed them in the morning.
They were super kind and generous opening up their home to us and letting us do crazy things – like working in their office to take an online course from midnight until 3:00am. I’m sure they think I’m crazy!
The kids also had a chance to go for a swim in a heated lap pool late at night…what a treat it was for them!
The parents, Jan and Veerle are both paediatricians and did some of their internship in India. While there, they built a home for needy children and have been supporting up to 50 kids for the past number of years. Each year, they visit their “other” children and ensure that all is well. Their own kids have been going to India and helping since they were toddlers. These are the wonderful people we are meeting on our trip…so inspiring and wanting to make the world a better place. After our war tours – it really provided some much needed light for all of us. Check out their site...we are hoping to possibly meet them in India in the new year.
Thanks to Jan, Veerle, Amber, Yolente, and Silas for a great time and lots of inspiration! We hope to see you again!
Comments
10 responses to “Another Surfing Success!”
Wow:) that is so inspiring! People who have passion, find other like minded people.
Hi Iniyal,
We have met so many wonderful, kind, caring and sharing people. People are the same all over the world – and so many are trying to make the world a better place. I just wish they would be the ones to get the media coverage. If the media focussed more on kindness around the world, perhaps it just might make a difference.
Are you taking the train in France or driving?
Hi There,
We are driving. We leased a car from September to December while in Europe – it’s actually a brand new car. Leasing was cheaper than renting a car or taking the train. It’s a Peugeot 5008 (like a Honda CRV).
What an amazing story…..you guys must be having a heck of a time
Travel safe
Ted
Hi Ted,
We are having the time of our lives….we really are living our dream….it’s been everything we hoped it would be…great places and fabulous people.
Hi, Katina, I just love to read about the fascinating people (and animals) you meet. You must have great conversations. XOXOXO’s to all
Hi Oma,
It’s amazing to meet so many wonderful people and animals on our travels. Overall, we all want peace and happiness for our families. It’s only the geography that is different.
Katina, Oliver, Mikhaila and Zoe, It is so lovely to hear about all the wonderful and thoughtful people that all of you are meeting! It really warms the heart! Love Mom/Baba
Hi Mom,
Yes we are meeting some amazing people – we are so inspired and our idea book is filling up quickly!