(You'll find some screenshots of the reviews I received on my first account in the photo of my house section.)

Hey there!

I'm Léa, originally from France, but for the past few years, I've been exploring different corners of the globe. Currently, I'm gearing up for the adventure of a lifetime with my partner, Quinten, who is from Ghent, Belgium. Together, we're embarking on an epic journey from the frosty North of Canada all the way down to Patagonia, traversing the Americas on our beloved motorbikes. Our expedition kicks off on June 1st, 2024, and as for when it'll wrap up? Well, that's anyone's guess!

A bit about us:

In my previous life, I worked as a communication manager for a large charity in Lyon, France, and also taught at the university. However, my passion for exploration led me to ditch the nine-to-five and hit the road. I've always been drawn to hitchhiking across Europe during my holidays, pushing the boundaries of how far I could go – from the southern tip of Portugal to the vast expanse of Russia, and everywhere in between. Since bidding farewell to France in 2019, I've fully embraced the nomadic lifestyle. Along the way, I've picked up new skills and passions – I'm now a passionate barista (and a big coffee nerd in general), a yoga instructor, and I'm currently honing my skills as a filmmaker with a documentary project centered around coffee culture.

As for Quinten, his love affair with travel began during a university exchange program in Korea, where he caught the wanderlust bug. Since then, he's wandered far and wide, taking on various roles in construction, hospitality, and now teaching Dutch online. His ultimate dream? To one day open his own hostel. Beyond his love for travel, Quinten is also passionate about poi spinning – those mesmerizing balls on ropes – and can pull off some seriously impressive tricks! Our paths serendipitously crossed in 2021 in New Zealand, and I decided to follow him to Canada, a decision I've never regretted.

We're both veggies – I'm vegan, and Quinten is vegetarian – and we absolutely love to cook. We'd be delighted to whip up some delicious meals for you along our way!

Let's connect on Instagram: @leanarre (https://www.instagram.com/leanarre/).

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Although this account is new, my journey with Couchsurfing started back in 2014.

Back in France, I was an avid host. My apartment often resembled a bustling hostel, and I loved the experience. Hosting allowed me to brush up on my English skills and connect with travellers, especially during periods when my own travels were limited. Through hosting, I forged incredible connections with people from around the world, some of whom I still keep in touch with a decade later. In a delightful twist of fate, I had the opportunity to be hosted by my very first guest in Australia, nine years after hosting him in France.

On the flip side, I've been graciously hosted myself numerous times – from various corners of Europe to as far as Pakistan, India, Morocco, New Zealand or Australia. Each experience has been a tapestry of beautiful encounters.

That's what drew me back to Couchsurfing. While my original account has been deleted when Couchsurfing transitioned to a paid platform, I found myself yearning for the community and camaraderie it offered. So this journey through the Americas was the perfect opportunity to create a new account.

I'm excited to embark on this new chapter and eagerly anticipate the stories, friendships, and memories that await.

PS: You'll find some screenshots of the reviews I received on my first account in the photo of my house section.

Interests

• photography
• cooking
• coffee
• yoga
• motorcycles
• hiking
• poi
• tattoo

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I feel I should have been young in the 70's. Psychedelic rock, funky beats, and groovy tunes will always make me dance. But there's one album that holds a special place in my heart – "Planet" by Sofiane Pamart, a French pianist. I listen to it on repeat for years!

Movie: "Everything, everywhere, all at once." I just think it's the best movie in the world. I've seen it two days in a row at the theatre and even have a tattoo in reference for it. If you haven't seen it, I'm happy to watch it with you!

Books: Now, this is a tough one. If I had to choose, I'd say "Into the Forest" by Jean Hegland, "The Rebel" by Albert Camus, and "The Elegance of the Hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery are among my favorites. I'm drawn to novels and essays that delve into philosophy or politics.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I walked 1,000 kms through the mountains of the South island of New Zealand on the Te Araroa with two women I met in a hostel. It took us 2 months and it was one of the best experience in my life.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach yoga, make you practice your French, talk way too much about coffee.
Quinten could teach you poi-spinning or Dutch.

We would be both happy to learn Spanish. I used to be able to speak well but I've lost everything by lack of practice. Quinten is a total beginner!

What I Can Share with Hosts

We can share plant-based meals that we would happily cook for you.
We can share a coffee (did I mention that I love coffee?).
I could even give you a very unprofessional tattoo as I'm travelling with a tattooing kit.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Italy, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Scotland, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, France, New Zealand