Currently traveling with my boyfriend in tow! Matt is a writer and a poet, and we've known each other for 11 years.

Hi! My name is Kayleigh and I'm a professional singer and actor from NYC (kayleighpowell.com for evidence). At the beginning of the year, I dropped everything, sold my furniture, quit my jobs, and struck out on a solo backpacking adventure for the whole of 2018.... however after some unanticipated bumps in the road I ended up working on a cruise ship for a few months, and got back on the road at the start of October. I'm also an aspiring travel blogger, over at permanentescape.com
I grew up in a military family, so I was bitten with the travel bug very young (12 homes before I graduated from high school), and never quite recovered!
Politically active/ angry feminist/generally concerned about social justice issues, racism, police brutality, LGBT rights, etc.

Currently only looking to stay with other women- a little leery about staying alone with guys after some stories I've heard. Maybe this will change as I get more comfortable with surfing.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I want to have the most authentic experiences possible in the places that I'm visiting! I'm also trying to make it for a full year living on my savings, so I'm being as thrifty as I can be. I hope to meet interesting people, and make some new friends to share this journey with. Finally- trying to expand my comfort zone as a solo backpacker!!

Interests

• literature
• singing
• acting
• italian food
• wine
• japanese food
• politics
• music
• long-term travel
• travel
• theatre
• film
• activism
• castles
• cathedrals
• fiction
• british comedy
• musical theatre
• 80s
• intersectional feminism

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I am an unabashed lover of all things 70s/80's pop, punk, and new wave (New Order, The The, XTC, Talking Heads, Adam & The Ants, Depeche Mode, Tears For Fears, The Cure, OMD etc). 90s MDMA club bangers, angry '77 punk, anything that fits on the soundtrack of a guy Ritchie movie, theatrical punk/rock, and lyric driven ethereal fairie pop stuff. Also musicals.

Books: Irving, Mitchell, Palahniuk, Tartt, Tolkien, Vonnegut, Bradbury, Huxley, Heller, Pullman, Rowling, and Welsh. And graphic novels too, particularly Preacher. I have a Fight Club tattoo.

Movies: Labyrinth, Fight Club, Shaun of The Dead, The Departed, Lord of the Rings, The Fall, Snatch, Birdman, A Clockwork Orange, Snowpiercer, Let The Right One In, Only Lovers Left Alive and generally all things Tarantino, Wright, Scorcese, Fincher, and Park Chan-wook are safe bets.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I worked for six months as a singer on a cruise ship sailing around the Caribbean in 2016-2017. It was basically like being on vacation for six months with the added bonus of being paid for what I love to do. I got to go skydiving, snorkeling, to Chichen Itza, swim with dolphins, and so much more!

[I actually just got back from a second cruise contract, but it was not as ideal of a situation]]

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm very open to language exchange situations- I'm happy to help people practice their English, and I definitely want to improve my French and my (very) bad Spanish. I'm also happy to work with people on video editing, social media management, and basic web building. I love kids, and pets, and am game for helping out with either!
I would love to find other people who are creatives, or interested in the arts, to learn more about the scenes of other countries/cities.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Haiti, Honduras, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Scotland, Spain, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, United Kingdom, United States