I was born, and lived in, Derry (Northern Ireland) until I was 19 and then moved to Manchester, UK for university where I still live. I absolutely fell in love with travelling after my first big trip when I visited Mexico, Peru and Brazil. Now I am trying to balance having a career (which I also love) with seeing the world.

My first goal is to see the Seven World Wonders and I only have 2 left to see after seeing beautiful Petra in June 2017. I guess I'd also like to visit 30 countries before (or when) I am 30 but I don't want to wish for too much; as I learnt in Brussels 'le bonheur c'est de continuer à désirer ce que l'on possède'.

LIFE PHILOSOPHIES
Let's talk about that over some wine...

INSTAGRAM
@itsokelz

If you wish to send a request for me to host you, please follow these simple guidelines and you shouldn’t have many problems:
1. Requests should be sent no more than 2 weeks in advance of your arrival, life should be spontaneous!
2. Read all of my profile, I will know if you haven’t and will decline, most likely without telling you why (if you have lots of good references I have more flexibility with this)
3. Do not send me questions asking questions that are already answered on my profile

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I heard about CS when I was travelling Europe in June 2016 and joined right away with the intention of surfing some sofas while I travel- it had never crossed my mind that I could be a host as I didn't know that so many people want to visit Manchester! I have had some unforgettable hosting and surfing experiences and really love that feeling when you click with someone and feel like you've known them for your whole life.

Interests

I am a feminist. I am a humanitarian. I am interested in travel, keeping fit, music, movies, politics, learning and beer. And wine. And whisky.

• culture
• cooking
• drinking
• movies
• eating out
• music
• social work
• language exchange
• travel
• feminism

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC
My music taste is extremely eclectic (I know, everyone says that, right?). Really though, I love Beethoven and Debussy, Metallica and Placebo and many artists and genres in between. At the moment I am listening to a lot of Belle and Sebastian, Au Revoir Simone and the Staves and I rarely go a week without listening to some Amy Winehouse, The XX or Biffy Clyro. I was recently introduced to Rodriguez and absolutely adore his music and story, if you don't know him watch 'Searching for Sugar Man', you won't regret it.

MOVIES
It's hard to choose a movie or a few movies that I love- I love many for different reasons. I watched Disney growing up and still enjoy watching those movies as an adult. I like Donnie Darko, Little Miss Sunshine and The Pursuit of Happyness. I fell asleep watching Fight Club, but I've heard that's pretty good too.

BOOKS
I always have at least one book on the go because I much prefer reading to watching tv or movies, at the moment I am reading The Red Tent by Anita Diamante which is very interesting. I am a huge Harry Potter fan and have read quite a few books by Brett Easton Ellis.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I saw 3 of the Seven World Wonders in 3 weeks, that was pretty amazing.

I have watched the sunrise from Ipanema beach after a night of partying in Rio and watched it set from from the desert in Jordan.

Teach, Learn, Share

TEACH
Hmmmm, I can now say 'cheers' in 10 languages so I guess I could teach you how? This talent was tested during a recent CS experience in Oslo and, turns out I can’t remember a lot of these words because I was drunk when I learnt them.

LEARN
I want to learn everything about everyone, everywhere.

SHARE
I want you to feel at home with me and live with me as if it were your home. I often cook for my surfers but am ok with you using the kitchen and preparing some food for us. I won’t be providing all the food and drink that you need for your stay here so it’s important that you bring some food for yourself at least. The water from the tap here is always cold and delicious but it is not alcoholic so, if you want alcohol, please bring some to my house.
If I have plans to meet friends I will often invite my surfers along so you can really see how I live and become part of that, I will also hang out with surfers as much as I can during our time together. It isn’t always possible for me to invite surfers to hang out with me and my friends so it’s really important that people who stay with me are comfortable being on their own in a new city/ country.

If I stay with you I will be tidy and considerate of your space, I can explore alone or with you, I can eat alone or with you and I can drink alone or with you. I have hosted enough surfers to know how to be a good surfer myself.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am clean and tidy and do not take up much space, I will help with cleaning or cooking or anything really- I'll take a lead from my hosts on that.

I am confident travelling alone so don't mind surfing with hosts who don't have much time to hang out with me but I do like to get to know the people I stay with, even just a little so I always appreciate it if we can find some time to do something together.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Palestine, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, Ireland