CURRENT MISSION

Travel the world. Meet fantastic people. Take every opportunity. Live Life to the fullest.

ABOUT ME

Hi! I’m Maísa, a Brazilian living in Barcelona — a city I love for how international and vibrant it is.

I’ve been on Couchsurfing since 2019, but even before that, since 2011, I’ve always enjoyed connecting with people from all over the world. It makes me happy to share good moments, show a bit of my culture, and help people take home a beautiful memory from my country or wherever I am.

I consider myself a citizen of the world. I have a very open mind and I love being surrounded by good people — people with kind hearts, no matter where they’re from or how they think. I have friends from very different cultures, and that makes me feel alive, curious, and grateful.

I’m an active, sociable person — always up for a chat, a laugh, and learning something new. I enjoy speaking English (though my native language is Portuguese), and having small conversations about all kinds of topics. I believe there’s always something new to discover in every person.

I admire adventurous people and the stories that come from movement, from travel, from unexpected encounters. I love hosting people or meeting up for a coffee, a walk through the city, sharing a mate or simply having a good conversation.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I believe that sharing your life with different people, and specially from other cultures, is one of the best ways to learn about life. I would like to expand my experiences in my own city and what better way to do so than with someone who has never been here. I see this as the perfect opportunity to learn more languages, culture and gastronomy from both parts. And, of course, if there is the occasion, I would really appreciate to visit any other destination as I guess that’s what’s this is about.

Spanish

Me encanta la idea de compartir la vida con gente diferente y sobretodo si es de otras culturas ya que considero es la mejor manera para aprender de la vida. Quiero ampliar las experiencias en mi propia ciudad y qué mejor manera de hacerlo con alguien que nunca la ha visitado. Veo que es una oportunidad perfecta para ampliar conocimientos de idiomas, de cultura y de gastronomía para ambas partes. Por supuesto, si se da la ocasión, estaría encantado de visitar cualquier localización ya que de eso se trata ;)

Interests

• arts
• culture
• cocktails
• coffee
• music
• electronic music
• cycling
• camping
• engineering
• travel
• rock
• cocinar
• travelling and meeting new people
• desporto

Music, Movies, and Books

Mana, Red hot chilli peppers, ACDC, Bon Jovi, Mettalica, Nicky Jam, Brazilian music, audioslave, creep,

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Coming to live in Barcelona (04.2019) has been a very big change in my life because I arrived and did not speak the language and did not have friends either. So the coachsurfing has been an excellent ferramenta where I met friends for all my life and I had the opportunity to travel with them through Europe. I love meeting other countries and traveling alone, so I use coachsurfing to meet native people from other places.

Teach, Learn, Share

TIPS and FAV PLACES for your trip in BCN.

I've created a google map link with TOP places to visit (includes touristic stuff, amazing restaurants & bars, and one of a kind places in BCN: https://maps.app.goo.gl/v1YVhrBkYcyeVaaV9

Most of them myself or other couch loved and were carefully filtered and added to the list; there is a small note in each one of what you can find there.

Other info on Mainstream but...MUST DO In BCN
1. Casa Batlló Gaudi BCN General/Silver Visit: It may seem a bit expensive but it is totally worth it. Save 5EUR by buying online: https://www.casabatllo.es/en/online-tickets/

2. Mirador torre Glories + Cloud Cities Barcelona: https://tickets.miradortorreglories.com/en/778-entradas-generales/4471-mirador-torre-glories-cloud-cities-barcelona/info

* Near Torre Glories is the Westfield Glòries Shopping Center, with many mainstream shops and a cozy cute food market. Do visit Carrefour Supermarket to look at the variety of hams, sausages and cheese.

3. La Boquería Market & El Gótico Walk: walk from Plaza Catalunya through La Rambla, until you reach Mercado La Boquería. After you finish your visit, cross la rambla and walk around El Gótico. If you want some Spanish churros with chocolate, visit Granja Dulcinea.

4. Walk through Paseo De Gracia – From Plaza Catalunya up to Diagonal, there are beautiful old houses with modernist architecture, such as Casa Batlló, Casa Milá, Casa de les Punxes, Casa Amatller. This link has a map of all modernist buildings in the “golden square”, as they call it: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1RW2YIgNXiNR53zpZxZSWJBqh3RM&hl=ca&ll=41.39193641549073%2C2.1728718342498343&z=15. Many fancy shops are located there as well. You can also visit el Nacional (https://www.elnacionalbcn.com/en/), a beautiful market with restaurants for an authentic (and a bit overpriced) gastronomic experience.

5. Visit la Sagrada Familia

6. Hike from Park guell to Mirador de San Joan Sales. Hike a little bit more to Turo de la Rovira for some amazing views of BCN.

Tips and Tricks to enjoy the most (and safe some money) in BCN:

1. THE BEACH: If you want to spend a day at the beach, go to Blanes or Sitges, they are nicer and reachable by train (45min – 1hour) + you also get to know a cute nice little town.

2. FOOD and; DRINKS:
- Carry a bottle of water and fill it up in the fountains arund the city. Water is safe to drink. I always carry my water bottle to the restaurants and safe 2-5 euros, as they charge it and do not like to offer it free.
- Avoid the terrace in La Rambla or in crowded plazas, they are a TOURIST TRAP = expensive and horrible food. Tapas are usually small, and because you need many to be full, it ends up being very expensive. Find restaurants to eat whole meals and leave tapas for afternoon bite.
- Download THE FORK APP. This app is my best friend when it comes to eating & restaurant reviews. It shows you multiple eating options, you get to reserve online, and in many restaurants you get 20-50% discount. Each action you do with the app gives you YUMS, which you can later exchange for more discount; 1000 YUMS = 10EUR discount. Use my code 8256B68B
to earn 500 YUMS.

3. TRANSPORTATION: You do not need a car for Barcelona. Use the public transportation (buy 10 ticket pass, it’s cheaper and works for train + bus), or rent a bike. There are also motosharing apps that you can use. CAREFUL with google maps. Don't trust it 100%, I don't know why, but it's not accurate when it comes to transportation. Is better to confirm with buss/drivers or help center in metro station before taking the bus/train, specially if you are going outside the city.

4. BOOKING and ; ACTIVITIES: Book online and book with time. This will save you time and money. Make sure to book with the official websites, to avoid a reservation fee. I like to use GetYourGuide (offers tickets for the right price). Take advantage of the free walking tour available through the city (there are many!). You can also check eventbrite, where many events are published and promoted (some are free too!)

- ACTIVITIES:
1. I just looove to walk around Parque de la Ciudadela and seat in the grass near the Cascada Monumental
2. Take a motorcycle and ride around Montjuic and Vila Olimpica neighborhood; enjoy the gardens and the views. Visit The Montjuic National Palace, it's stunning.
3. Get lost between the streets of El Gotico and el Raval: contrary to what many people say, El Raval is not dangerous, and brings a lot of nice cultural spots to walk around. On sundays I'd like to get lost around this neighborhood and discover little coffee shops or small city parks.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can teach the language to history and splendid places. The party in Barcelona is known worldwide and there are always a thousand offers to do fun things without a great economic cost or go to places that you will never forget. Also I can take you to sites related to cinema, photography or showrooms and interesting sites. I know my city, its history and gastronomy very well and I offer my knowledge to guide according to the availability I have at the moment.

Spanish
Puedo enseñar el idioma hasta historia y parajes espléndidos. La fiesta en Barcelona es conocida mundialmente y siempre hay mil ofertas para hacer cosas divertidas sin un gran coste económico o ir a sitios de los que nunca os vais a olvidar. También puedo llevaros a sitios relacionados con cine, fotografía o showrooms y sitios interesantes. Conozco muy bien mi ciudad, su historia y gastronomía y ofrezco mis conocimientos para hacer de guía según la disponibilidad que tenga en el momento.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil, Spain