**leaving Canada for London on Nov 29th, trying to go up to Scotland, maybe Ireland. Then in January it's over to Europe!**

My two greatest passions are desserts and traveling. I love nothing more than exploring a new city and eating some sweets while admiring the beautiful architecture or scenery. I'm a baker/decorator/pastry-chef in an Italian bakery, and I absolutely love it.
I'm a very restless person and love to move around, I constantly need something exciting to look forward to. I believe life is too short and the world is too wondrous to just spend all my time at home.

For a better insight into who I am, check out my instagram: jillianvanrijn
Mostly photos of my travels, cakes and my dog :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm a little too shy for hostels, and while I will work on overcoming that, I would like to stick to couchsurfing first- it feels more cosy. I enjoy meeting new people and good conversations over coffee or card games.

I have done couchsurfing before when I was 15, I traveled to Germany to visit my sister (19 at the time) who was having a big adventure. She already had a couchsurfing profile so we just added a little bit about me to hers as we were staying in hostels for most of the trip. We stayed with one family in Tilburg, Netherlands so we could go to the Efteling. That was an amazing experience, I still often think about the family that took us in, I hope they're doing well!
I have decided to join now because I am off on my own adventure, though not as big as my sisters was I am still excited!

Interests

My hobbies include reading, sports (any ultimate frisbee players out there?), bike riding and knitting/crocheting. I also love card games and anything Lord of the Rings.
I love architecture, my dad is a finishing carpenter so he passed down an appreciation for fancy crown molding and elaborate doors etc. I have a weakness for grand entryways, arches and stairs.
I love history, from the vikings to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks or Romans, to Louis' of Versailles to the calamity that happened after the Treaty of Versailles. If it has to do with war or the construction of great buildings, I'm most definitely interested.

• architecture
• cooking
• coffee
• desserts
• drinking
• shopping
• reading
• traveling
• crochet
• knitting
• cycling
• sports
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

I love music that makes we want to dance, from upbeat pop songs to swing music, to whatever 50's jig music my cousin had at her wedding. My top artists that I listen to regularly would be Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, Lorde & Taylor Swift. I do love me some Saint Motel, twenty one pilots, the 1975 and Arctic Monkeys though.
Movies are easily Pride & Prejudice (book too), Lord of the Rings, Ever After, and anything Marvel.
Books would be the Song of Ice and Fire series (big fan of Game of thrones here), Knitting Under the Influence and School of Fortune.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The snow tubing in Quebec at the Valcartier Winter Park was amazing, something I would totally do again!

Participating in a small student exchange in high school in Quebec, my Quebec "twin" hosted me for a week and then I hosted her here for a week and couple months later. It was a fantastic experience!

Going on a missions trip to San Quitin, Mexico when I was 13. What an eye opener it was to see how some people can truly have nothing, yet still have joy in their heart. I cherish those memories of the children I played games with and the family we built a house for.

Teach, Learn, Share

I would love to learn to cook, I have recently learned the difference between boiling and simmering, if that gives you any idea of my skill level..

I believe in being a life long learner, and I feel travel is very important to do so.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can teach you to knit, arm knit, crochet and finger crochet! I would also love to bake with you if you want!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Spain, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada