Hi there!! I am Jessica (or just call me Jess) and I'm currently taking some time off work to travel the world, volunteer and just make more friends. I would love to learn more about local culture - and try some local vegetarian food 🌿

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have spent the last year travelling, and being hosted by so many generous people on my travels. I have experienced exceptional kindness and generosity by our many host and friends across the world, and one day I'd love to return the favour. ☘️ Unfortunately at the moment I do not have a home as I'm on the move, and I'm not in a position to host.

I love to use CS to meet locals which in essence is my favorite part of any place. 🌍

Interests

Before I began CS, I was an avid pet sitter, so if you have a pet I'd LOVE to meet them 😺

I am a lover of the small things-- may that be a cup of coffee in the morning, watching the sunrise/sunset, sitting in the sun listening to a podcast or reading a good book. I get great joy out of seeing cute animals. I'm a bit shy at first-- but I have a great interest in learning about other cultures, food and movies. I love foreign films and would love some suggestions (or maybe we can watch together with subtitles?)

I'm currently rotating between non-fictional (philosophy, buddhism) and fictional (fantasy) books. My most recent favorite book was Daring Greatly by Brenë Brown, an awesome book about shame and vulnerability.

I'm a buddhist and have a huge interest in self-growth and development. I love spending time in quiet, peaceful places to meditate or to just spend quality time. I don't shy away from having quiet and peaceful moments in beautiful places.

For compassionate reasons, I am a vegetarian and I'm an avid cook. If you're ever hosting me, I'd love try something from your culture, to share a meal or maybe to cook for you (main, vegetarian shepherds pie 🥕 or for, dessert, apple crumble 🍏).

If you'd like some help around the house (cleaning, cooking etc.) I am happy to help where I can. 🧼

• animals
• cooking
• coffee
• baking
• yoga
• running
• meditation
• reading
• cycling
• hiking
• camping
• swimming
• spirituality
• buddhism

Music, Movies, and Books

Music 🎶
The Cranberries, Peach Pit, Girl in Red, The Wombats, The Vaccines, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Franz Ferdinand.

Books 📚
"The Power of Now" & "A New Earth", Eckhart Tolle
""Daring Greatly", Brenë Brown

Movies 🍿
12th fail (Indian movie, my absolute favourite). 100 days of Summer. Shutter Island. Ballad of songbirds and snakes. Clueless.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Currently volunteering in a Buddhist centre in Austria 🕉️

Within 10 m encounter with a tiger in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. 🐯

Cycled across the Steppe and into the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. Fully sufficient with a water purification system, stove and tent. (We broke down and got stranded in the desert....) 🏜️

Completed a 1900 km cycle tour around New Zealand. 🚲

I received my Shodan (black belt) in shotokan karate. 🥋

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you about Irish culture. I'm currently learning Gaelige, the native language of Ireland 🇮🇪 It may be the native language of Ireland but very few people speak it!

I have a great interest in self development and spirituality. I am a Buddhist and have a deep interest in giving back to the world. Cultivating compassion and kindness is something I hold deeply in my heart.

Share food. Share laughs. Share experience of a good film or meal together. I love going to the cinema, watching foreign films or watching the newest horror movie 👻

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can bake you an Irish dessert, apple crumble 🍏 I enjoy cooking so I can also make you a delicious vegetarian meal!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, Ireland, United States