I am passionate about people and community. I love helping people learn and grow, and think that there's nothing greater than seeing someone realise their full potential! I have a big space in my heart for the environment and nature: A cool mountain breeze, the smell of the ocean, dirt on my fingers, warm sunshine, the sound of rain on a tent...these are the things that make me happy. I can be a bit of a hippie sometimes, as I am conscious of reducing my waste, buying local and ethical, and I try to use the most natural products and food available. I love long journeys, and when I'm not on one or at least have one planned, I get antsy and anxious. I love yoga, hiking, road trips, thunderstorms, and singing songs around campfires. I'd like to think I'm a pretty good cook, and that I am a very good judge of character.
On any normal day you'd probably find me at yoga or riding my bike, always outdoors and never without a camera (usually film), or in a cute local cafe, reading and writing and having long conversations with random strangers. You'll find I'm a simple person who enjoys the little things in life, and all I really want to do is make a difference-big or small-in yours.

Nice to meet you.

INSTAGRAM: @melissa.lochhead

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
-Howard Thurman

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love making connections and building community wherever I go, and I want people to feel comfortable, safe and welcome in my home country! I want people to experience the warmth, kindness and generosity of strangers that I have felt through travel, and to realize that wherever they go, we are not so different after all.

I have had the honor of hosting many lovely travelers on my couch, as well as showing people around the places I've lived in, and it always rekindles my love of being there! I have also been lucky to surf on a few couches around the world. I love meeting new people. I find there is always more for me to learn, and new things to add to my bucket list.

Interests

yoga, cycling, photography, writing, green-living, hiking, good coffee and hipster cafes, a good book, warm sunshine, TED Talks and documentaries, art in any form, good music, rain falling on a tent roof...

• arts
• writing
• photography
• environment
• dining
• cooking
• yoga
• reading
• music
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• sailing
• road trips
• beaches
• travel

Music, Movies, and Books

The Alchemist might be my bible...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Once, I was hitchiking the east coast of Australia with my German friend, Sina. We were too broke to do most tourist attractions, so we decided to stick our thumbs out at a harbour in Airlie Beach and see if we could catch a ride to an island. Not half an hour after we posted a hand-written note on some paper we scrounged from the bin, we got a phone call from two old dudes who were moving a yacht from Airlie to Sydney, and they needed extra hands on deck. We spent the next 5 days with them, learning how to sail and navigate by the stars, outrunning a hurricane and exploring gorgeous, remote islands that most people have never heard of. It was one hell of a ride and I would do it all again in a heartbeat!

Teach, Learn, Share

Currently learning how to swim! I know.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Helping out with chores, to do lists and cooking, photography or writing projects, and providing some good conversation :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Canada, New Zealand

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