Hi!

I'm in the UK from the 4th to the 31st of July!

Notice: I'm sorry but it's pretty much impossible to reply to all of the requests I get, as there appears to be an enormous shortage of hosts in Amsterdam. On some days, I receive about 50 requests a day and I just don't have the time to reply to all of them.

Now that I'm done with the annoying stuff:
My name is Jopie, I'm 25 years old and I am a weird fairy freak with ever changing hair colours (currently green).

I work in a fantasy shop in the Amsterdam city center and I study English. I also work as an illustrator and artist, and I have done all kinds of creative things, from fire performance to sewing costumes, and from bodypainting to portrait drawing, to fashion styling. I am a true local and I grew up in Amsterdam, and I know a lot about this beautiful historical city that I call my home. :)

I also have a styling blog on instagram: @_fairytalefashion_ where I post outfit pictures almost daily. Be warned: it's not your regular styling blog! I like to mix vintage and retro clothing with a fairytale twist.

I am an eclectic pagan and a vegan. I don't smoke or use drugs and I rarely drink, and I am quiet and a pacifist. I do like to hang out with people and I do drink a bit every now and then, but I just dislike drunk people and I dislike being drunk myself :p.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have been here for a couple of years and decided to revive my account again
because I like meeting new people and am willing to host some folks again occasionally. :)
I am also planning a trip to southern UK this summer from the 4th to the 30th of July. I want to visit some historical sites and Pagan sanctuaries and I would love to visit some locals who might be able to give me some tips or tell me some more about them.
In exchange I can give drawing lessons or draw a portrait of your loved one, or I can make you amazing vegan food!

Interests

Mother earth, drawing, painting, clothes, magic, fairytales, mythology, stories, dressing up, hunting vintage clothes, running barefoot in the grass, making beautiful things, Disney, Harry Potter, and other geeky stuff.

• animals
• arts
• performing arts
• fashion
• environment
• dining
• cooking
• vegetarian
• vegan
• drinking
• shopping
• clothing
• blogging
• painting
• drawing
• magic
• cycling
• hunting
• animation
• art history
• historic sites
• peace
• paganism
• environmentalism

Music, Movies, and Books

Most of the Disney movies, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, superhero movies, series and comics, Pixar movies, Lord of the Rings, books by the Brontë Sisters, Edgar Allan Poe, H. P. Lovecraft and other English classics, Ovid, the Edda, world mythology/legends of all kinds, fairy tales of all kinds. I like poetry too.
Music: folk, jazz, rock 'n roll, metal, rock, punk, country, classical.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have done loads of stuff and I am never done learning. Life is amazing!

I have travelled from a tiny town in Germany to Prague by train and it was like going through the apocalypse - riding past old DDR factories overgrown with weeds and desolate train station and the most amazing scenery. When we arrived in a desolate Solokov on Sunday morning we had to buy a train ticket printed out of a fax machine to fo to Prague. When I was in Tintagel and I went down to Merlin's Cave suddenly the sun broke through the clouds and brightened the amazing blue colour of the Atlantic ocean.
I have breathed fire, painted someone's body for 8 hours straight, hurled flames dangerously close to my head, seen seals, dolphins, sharks, wild boar with young and tiny little baby mice in the grass.
I stood on top of the Empire State Building and I went to the Postojna Caves. I visited the Vatican and the best vegan ice cream shop in the world. I have stayed in a caravan on the edge of Tintagel with an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean.
I have held hands and chanted with a group of amazing women in the White Springs in Glastonbury. I have climbed the Glastonbury Tor and meditated there. I have painted with the sacred waters of the Chalice Well, St Nectans Glen Waterfalls and the White Spring.

I honestly could go on and on. My hunger for adventure is never satisfied.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am not sure if I can teach you how to draw or paint in a few days but I can certainly give you a lesson or two if you are interested! I can provide you with info about different kinds of materials, paper and paints and teach you handy tricks to improve your skills.
As a surfer, I can also paint a lifelike portrait of you or a pet or a loved one as a thank you gift :)
On the other hand I would love to learn more painting related stuff from other people because I think it is interesting to learn from each other since everyone has a different style and view on things!
If you really want to I can also teach you a bit of Dutch, since it is my native language. Not sure how much it will help you since nearly everyone in the Netherlands can speak English at some point. But hey, it is fun right?

I am always willing to cook amazing vegan food for you.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am an easygoing surfer and I try my best to be neat and flexible. I usually bring some kind of local treat or gift with me. I am fine with hanging out but I am willing to work around any schedule.
If I have enough time I can paint you something as a thank you gift for letting me stay with you, such as a portrait of your pet, loved one or yourself.
I am always willing to cook nice vegan food for you!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands