Hey hey! I'm Isabelle - friends call me Izzy or Isa - I grew up in London until I was 18 and have been moving round ever since. Lived in Brazil 2011/12 and Switzerland 2013/14, travelled across Africa for 10 months in 2015, then a year and a half in Khartoum, Sudan. 3 months in West Africa then 14 months in Mozambique. Now I am living in Lisbon. I am travelling in Colombia and the region for 2 months.

I'm a very friendly, easy going, and independent person. I love meeting new people, sharing stories and connecting, exploring and learning about new cultures and speaking different languages. I try to always have a positive outlook on life, be active and make the most of any situation. We only have 1 life and you never know what can happen, so I try to live it to the max :)

I speak English and Portuguese, I can understand Spanish though speaking I'm a bit slow, and also French though a bit rusty ;)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

The best moments from my travels have been from couchsurfing, I've met amazing inspiring individuals and ended up in weird and wonderful places! I'm always keen to learn from local people about their countries/cities, always love to meet new people and share stories and experiences.. have made lifetime friends and look forward to meeting more! I enjoy hosting and sharing my life with people who come by.

Interests

I am a huge afro dance obsessive. I follow a lot of afrobeats/afrohouse/afrofusion dance and music, I'm always trying to find new styles, subgenres and local adaptations. I love going out at night (not necessarily drinking) and seeing like music, DJs, parties, cultural events.

Generally I love meeting people and having adventures, discovering new things, exploring cities and urban places, particularly urban arts (street art, street styles and music). Also love Eurovision, probably my favourite day of the year. And bargain hunting. And cheese.. and Sean Paul :D I try to document things and people through photography and drawings/paintings sometimes - my insta is at https://www.instagram.com/izzyrob1/ in case you're curious!

I try and keep fit, running or dancing, taking fitness classes, yoga.. always up for some impromptu work outs!

• festivals
• dancing
• fitness
• nightlife
• partying
• music
• live music
• languages
• urban exploration
• food
• nature
• dance
• feminism
• cities
• afrohouse
• dancehall
• development
• african dance
• dancer
• humanitarian work
• african music
• afrobeats
• afrodance

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm always listening to Ghanaian and Naija afrobeats, Angolan Kuduro, South African afro-house (and Pantsula dance), Coupe Decale and Ndombolo, Malian music and Sahara blues. Also love afro electronic music like Afriquoi and The Busy Twist. Brazilian Baile Funk.. 90s hip hop. I'm really interested in modern afro music and how different genres combine and change.

Movies I'll pretty much watch anything..

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Managed to stay in one place for 2 years ;)

I danced in the Rio de Janeiro carnival parade in 2008, that was pretty fun. I was once standing in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC all at the same time.. magic! Hitchhiked 4,000 km across Brazil, and blew my hearing from going to too many Favela parties. And also once accidentally became an illegal immigrant in The Gambia.. whoops.. the best stories you'll have to hear in person!

Teach, Learn, Share

Portuguese.. English.. second hand dance moves ;)
I have been working on making the perfect banana oat pancakes.. it's a work in progress!
I have lots of tips and recommendations from travelling in the countries I've been to.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Hopefully good company, and some traditional English food (don't be afraid!)

Countries I’ve Visited

Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Côte d'Ivoire, Denmark, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Kenya, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Malawi, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Portugal, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil, Mozambique, Portugal, Sudan, Switzerland