I am a very young at heart, strong and fit 50 year-old woman with an adventurous spirit and about to embark on an adventure of a lifetime.

I have two children, a son of (26) and a daughter (20). As my kids are pretty much independent, I have decided to experience other countries and cultures before I get too old to do things that I would still like to.

My parents are of Polish descent, having moved via the UK and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) to South Africa. I speak Polish well enough to converse on a basic level.

I have been self-employed since 1994 and currently live in Centurion, Pretoria but grew up in the Western Cape in a village called Sedgefield, which is paradise itself.

Being a positive person, it is important for me to show people how wonderful life is. I accept that we have all grown up in different cultures and beliefs and that everyone is different. I have a great love and tolerance for people themselves but who I am and what I believe in I won't compromise on.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I will be arriving in the UK in October 2015 to start training and work as a carer and am looking for a space, preferably a room in or close to Tonbridge to use as a base for a week or two, or even semi-permanently.

It would be an ideal situation in which to learn about the English culture, how things work as opposed to here in SA and how to fit into society, etc.

I would prefer to be hosted by a lady who does not smoke in her home, who is employed and is relatively easy-going. A family environment would also be great.

Interests

Family, people, travel, painting (art - not walls!), reading, cooking, martial arts, fitness, outdoor activities, fly-fishing, hiking and camping - not necessarily in that order!

• arts
• culture
• environment
• cooking
• wine
• fitness
• flying
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• outdoor activities
• fishing
• hiking
• camping
• martial arts
• business
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

Contemporary gospel music as well as anything else beautiful and soulful. Not into rock, heavy metal, etc.
Movies - anything except smut, horrors or anything abusive to people and animals.
I like to read anything from which I can learn, laugh and cry. One of the loveliest books read is "Eat, Pray, Love" - better than the movie - and probably the inspiration for this adventure. One of my favourite movies is "The Green Mile".

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Besides raising 2 nearly perfect human beings!! After years of being self-employed in a business that worked purely on word-of-mouth, I started a business from scratch, setting it up, marketing it and then reaping the rewards of its growth, also by word-of-mouth.

I had tried other business ventures which did not succeed as I would have liked them to, or just not interesting enough to continue with, for example a plumbing business!!! But the one I will be leaving behind, took off beautifully and is successful.

I will be going out the way I intend to go in, honestly, positively and successfully!

Teach, Learn, Share

I look forward to sharing life experiences with like-minded people. There is much that we can teach each other. Life is beautiful and simple. A positive outlook, the ability to find good where life looks bleak and the willingness to get your hands dirty are things that we can teach each other.

It would be great to gain knowledge of art and history, how to travel on a budget without losing out on good stops and make new friends.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Cooking
Mostly unbiased knowledge about my country
Life skills
How to remove stains - LOL!
A glass of wine and a good hearty laugh.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Botswana, Israel, Poland, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

South Africa