I play with words and sentences from my cottage in the mountains.

With a master’s degree in interpreting, in 2005 I left Brussels for Mantua, Italy, where I worked as a volunteer behind the scenes at the Festivaletteratura literature festival. Back in Belgium, I looked for a job where I could continue to use my Italian. I started at the Italian customer service department of an international company, also working for six months in its office in Rome.

When the corporate world no longer challenged me, it was time for something else, something that suited me better. Teaching and translating turned out to be the ideal combination. I began working as a freelance translator and language trainer, completed a teacher training course, and discovered in adult education how much I enjoy passing on my love for Italian to a class of motivated students.

I travel with my dog Boris and my house on wheels, a VW Caddy converted into a mini camper. In 2024 I travelled for half a year through Italy and Greece, and camped on deserted beaches, along rushing rivers and under ancient olive trees. I lived to the rhythm of nature and enjoyed the peace and space around me. And I came to realise that there is nowhere I’m happier than in the mountains.

Since October 2024, I’ve been living in a small mountain village in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, in north-east Italy. At my wooden table with a view of the mountains I find plenty of inspiration for polished translations and fascinating Italian language lessons. In my spare time I take long walks with Boris and explore my new region.

Curious about my stories? How did I end up here and how do I like living in the mountains? Read all about it in my blog (only in Dutch).

Welcome to Bergzinnen!