I love cooking, music, spending time with friends, being outdoors, reading and exploring new places. I'm open-minded, easy-going, left-leaning, tolerant, accepting, friendly and caring. I like to have a balance between my own space and spending time with people and I like to keep things clean - in a chill way! I have no issues in any way with any gender, race, culture etc.

I used to be an airbnb host in my wee flat for years and loved meeting new people and sharing experiences. I'm excited to see what being a member of the Couchsurfing community brings!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm heading to Iceland soon and looking for part time work and accommodation in Reykjavík from early June to the end of August this summer. I've been offered an internship with the Reykjavík Grapevine which provides me with a (very minimal) contribution towards costs, and will need to find some other work and somewhere fairly cheap to live, or somewhere I can stay for very little in return for helping out. I work in the arts and cultural sector in Scotland and have worked with some of the leading organisations in the country here, but also have hands on experience in customer facing roles, outdoor / farm work, childcare and a bunch of other things!

When I first arrive I will probably try to stay with a couple of Couchsurfing hosts in order to have a base to flat-hunt from, and also just so I get to meet some people in the city! I'm happy to help with cooking and cleaning (I love to cook for people) or child or animal care in order to earn my keep. Beyond this I'll be trying to find somewhere more long-term to live till the end of August.

Here are some ideas of work and living situations that I have been considering - if anyone thinks any of these would be a good match for them or someone they know, please get in touch!

-Renting a spare room - I would be interested in paying to stay to stay with nice, interesting people for the duration of my trip. If you have a spare room in your house and are interested in making a bit of money and / or having a nice flatmate for the summer let me know. I'd be super happy to pay a reduced rent in return for house work, cooking, or dropping kids to and from school (which I could fit around my hours at the RG).

-A live-in / work situation - I would also be potentially interested in a job that offered accommodation i.e. a hostel or hotel, as long as it could fit around my hours for the magazine

-Writing or professional work - I can work 4 days at the RG or reduced hours each day, so could do one weekday day a week in another professional role. Please contact me if you would like to know anything about my skills and previous experience!

-General jobs - I would consider work in a cafe, restaurant, hostel, hotel, shop, doing tours etc etc

-Friends and experiences - asides from all of this more practical stuff, I'm generally just keen to meet people to spend time with while I'm in the country. I'd like to go on weekend trips out of the city, see live music, share meals and make some new pals.

FYI while I'm really keen to use Couchsurfing to meet new people / make friends I'm NOT here to date. Zero interest. So keep that in mind when you message me please!

Interests

• animals
• cats
• arts
• literature
• cooking
• music
• folk music
• children
• traditional music
• arts and culture

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I work predominately in traditional scottish music so have a lot of knowledge about that! But my personal taste is very eclectic. Here's a link to my spotify account if you want to have a look: https://open.spotify.com/user/findingjosiessmile?si=8b1RjaIzTBehh8iYzcMamg

Movies: I'm not a big movie watcher because I find it hard to commit to sitting down and doing one thing for two hours! But when I do convince myself I really enjoy them. I don't like horror, gore or crass comedy but I love quirky, interesting and funny. My favourite movie ever is probably The Commitments

Books: so many favourites. The Time Traveller's Wife, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, The Outrun, Prodigal Summer...I also love poetry and read a lot of that.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach: cooking, singing (Scots, Gaelic and folk songs, predominately), how to do a cartwheel.

I can share: music, literature, a knowledge and love of the arts in general

I'd like to learn: horse riding! I used to do it as a kid and I miss it loads. Animal husbandry in general - I'd like to have a croft one day. Traditional music from your country. In fact, any traditional art from your county!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Time, a drink, a meal, a listening ear, my thoughts, a good laugh.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Scotland