CURRENT MISSION

On a year trip around the world and want to have as many different cultural experiences as possible (together with Lewis the Lion! Check out his blog!)

ABOUT ME

I'd describe myself as a happy and friendly character with a generous spirit.
I'm currently experiencing a once in a lifetime opportunity of travelling around the world. (I took volutary redundancy from my job and decided that I'd like to travel for a bit). Being very conscious of how lucky I am, I write a blog for primary school children to share with them my journey through the eyes of my cuddly friend, Lewis the Lion. You can check out my blog so far: www.lewisthelion.com. However, am always a month behind as am enjoying my adventure as I go!
I love learning about different languages and cultures (I speak French and Italian fluently and my Spanish is at an intermediate level after travelling in South America for 6 months).
I love having new experiences and am willing to give things a go. I really enjoy dancing and recently started to learn how to tango in Buenos Aires! Am missing my Zumba classes back in the UK but enjoying all the new experiences in their place.

PHILOSOPHY

As a teenager, I came up with the philosophy "Let the sun shine through...in everything you do!" and it's kind of stuck with me.

I believe that you only get out of life what you put into it; I believe in having big dreams and in living life to the full.

I believe that I am a very lucky person in many respects: the positive relationships in my life, the life opportunities I have had, etc but am also very conscious that many people aren't as fortunate. I therefore hope that I can make a difference, especially as an educator, to the lives of people around me.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'd like to meet local people as I continue my journey (and perhaps other primary educators too?) to learn about your way of life. Up till now, I have only stayed in hostels on my journey but if somebody wanted to offer me a stay-over, that would be a welcomed way to get to know different people.
As I am currently travelling until February 2013, at this stage I am not able to host but when I return to the UK, I would be more than happy to do this. I am a proud Geordie (a person from Newcastle upon Tyne), love my city and love playing the tourist guide!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

None to date. Am new to it all.
However, have always lived with other people from all over the world and thoroughly enjoyed the cultural and language exchange.

Interests

I am a passionate educator and have really enjoyed working as a teaching consultant for the past 5 and a half years.
I love dancing - all types: salsa, tap and now tango.
Currently, I feel like I'm living out all my dreams as I travel around the world. Am loving experiencing a wide variety of new things from activities, to food and drink.

• literature
• dancing
• tango
• dining
• zumba
• drinking
• traveling
• blogging
• swimming
• teaching
• languages
• tourism
• language exchange

Music, Movies, and Books

I enjoy a wide range of films, music and books. Some might say that I am ecclectic, others may say that I have no taste! I really don't mind boogying the night away to some cheesy pop, for instance!
A couple of books that I enjoyed recently were: A Thousand Splendid Suns and One Day.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I lived in France for a year in Dijon and then in Italy for two years (Modena, when I was 18 years old, au-pairing for 4 children for a year and then near Venice for 6 months, and periods spent in Turin and Milan).
Then this year I've done some amazing things since I started travelling:
The carnival in Rio de Janeiro
Dancing tango in Plaza Dorrego in Buenos Aires
A sky-dive in Mendoza, Argentina
Trekking through the Amazon Rainforest
Doing an Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu
Visiting the moai on Easter Island
Swimming with giant turtles in the Galapagos Islands and lots more besides. I truly feel like one lucky, lucky chica!

Teach, Learn, Share

Funnily enough as a teacher, I always class myself as a learner first of all and have always told my pupils or teachers, that we're going to go on a learning journey together.
I am happy to teach and share some of my skills, especially my languages. I used to teach Italian and English as a Foreign Language to adults. (My first love of languages was with the English Language and I studies English Literature to A-level and specialised in linguistics at university).
I'm also interested in practising my languages or learning some new languages as I go.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Italy, United Kingdom

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