“Find your love. Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.”

I can be a little shy at first, especially around big groups of people I don’t know, but once I’ve settled in hopefully you’ll start to see my bubbly, spontaneous side. I’m also very easy going, relaxed person, not the biggest drinker or party girl so if you plan on drinking every night – we’re probably not the best match!

I travel to learn about myself, to find my limits and overcome my fears. I believe in doing the things that scare you as it makes you stronger, and finding ways to be the best person you can be. I love meeting people with good vibrations who practise these things too and making connections with people who you never thought you would.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

My favourite part about travelling is the people you meet and what you learn from them. There’s no better way to experience local culture than to stay with the people that practise it every day. The best experiences for me are those when you arrive as a stranger and leave as a friend.

I can't currently host, but I would love to meet other travelers who want to get to know my city, I've lived in Lincoln most of my life and would like to think I know it pretty well! I can show you the sights, the cafes with the best coffee, or show you the bars with live music :)

Interests

Music is my biggest passion, my love and my therapy, whether it’s listening, creating, watching or performing. I believe that it’s something that unites us, no matter where we’re from or what language we speak.

My other interests are travelling (ofcourse), exploring new cities and spontaneous day trips, good coffee with good company, talking into the night, unique cafes and bars, history, football, writing, reading, sunrises and sunsets. More recently I’ve developed an interest in finding your ‘higher self’.

Music, Movies, and Books

My music taste mainly with intimate acoustic artists and folk, but it also branches out to some rock, indie pop, soul, salsa and bossa nova. I’m always looking to discover new music from different countries, so please - introduce me!

Alanis Morissette - Angus and Julia Stone - Barbara Dickson - Ben Howard - Bon Iver - Damien Rice - Eva Cassidy - First Aid Kit - Florence and The Machine - Frances - Frank Turner - Imagine Dragons - James Bay - John Denver - Jose Gonzalez - Kate Rusby - Kelly Clarkson - Kodaline - Laura Marling - Missy Higgins - Newton Faulkner - Obadiah Parker - Paolo Nutino - Paper Aeroplanes - Pink, Paper Aeroplanes - Rhodes - Ryan Adams - Shura - Sia - Thirty Seconds to Mars.

I’m one of those people who has seen many films, but can never remember the name or who starred in it! Let me try...

500 Days of Summer - Into The Wild - Bridget Jones - Lost in Translation - Motorcycle Diaries ... that’s it!

I enjoy comedies and fact based films and documentaries. I also have a soft spot for films like Shrek and Finding Nemo!

I’m a little better at naming TV Series...

The Big Bang Theory – Friends - New Girl - Deutschland 83 - The Man in the High Castle - Air Crash Invesitigation.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Cliff jumping in Thailand.

Swimming in the ocean at night near Itamumbuca, Brazil and seeing the glowing plankton.

Teach, Learn, Share

I never found a course that I wanted to study at University, so travelling has become my degree. I want to learn about different cultures and how this world works in it’s many different ways. Please share with me local recipes, a particular skill you have that I could learn, life stories, anything. I’m here and I’m ready to learn!

I believe that the best way to get to know someone’s culture is to speak their native language, so I love to learn new languages and I aim to learn a second one. I speak a little Portugues, Spanish and German but I’m not fluent enough to have a full conversation in either, but if you’re patient and willing to teach me I’m all ears.

What I Can Share with Hosts

If you have a guitar, I’d be happy to share some of my music with you. I have an EP online if you’d like to listen – www.helenfrancis.bandcamp.com. I’m not a big drinker like I said, but I did spend two years working in a bar making cocktails, perhaps I can teach you to make some if you have a cocktail shaker! Other than that I can offer good conversation and relaxed company, and hopefully I’ll make you smile

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom