I am Michele,

Born and grew up in Italy, lived and travelled in quite a lot of places. At the moment, I keep my working-time busy by designing humanitarian projects. For more than three years, I am also a partner and a father. Being a father and partner is what I feel I am, mostly.

My partner and I, we always liked moving. Probably, we are attracted by the idea of discovering new cultures and people. We have been doing so for the last ten years. Since we have our kid, we kept doing that.

She is Argentinian, but we meet abroad, both living in Madrid. She is a philosopher, loves cinema, reading... She is a good observer and at the same time simple and kind.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I think that Couchsurfing is a good tool to allow people getting closer to a culture, by meeting new people belonging to that culture or recognized in that culture. That is the main reason why I am on Couchsurfing, to get closer to a culture by meeting local people. Looking at the use, I personally use Couchsurfing in two ways. When I host, depending if I can host, I try to put my guests near to the places I like, the things I prefer of that place, and of course what they are looking for. When I surf, I try to have a closer perspective of the country I am visiting/ the culture I am discovering, by staying with the guests. Staying involves chatting of course, and some other activities, which depend a lot on the chances of that moment. However, my experience shows that chatting on a local meal is a good combination.

Interests

In my, limited, free-time I like: photography, listening to good music, reading, walking in nature (doing hiking even better), cooking, and playing music even it has been a lot of time without playing any instrument, beyond the toys of my son.

• writing
• cooking
• walking
• reading
• traveling
• music
• camping
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Shantaram, On the road, El Quijote, L'ombra del vento, Ebano, 1984, La città della gioia.

Music: recently, Latin jazz, funk, folklore, classical music, and of course some rock. In the past, I listened to quite a lot reggae and ska.

Movies: In the mood for Love, The Seventh Seal, 8 1/2, Tree of life, Muholand Drive, A Man Escaped, Close-Up, Providence, Les Enfants du Paradis,...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I normally focus more on daily small things rather than pretending having done something amazing. A hot coffee in a cold sunny non-working morning, or a clean and perfumed towel after a shower. A nice meal with friends. Those are examples. Beyond small daily things, to me something classifiable as amazing is witnessing the curiosity raising in our kid; listening to the questions he poses, watching his growing somehow in the way we'd like. But, I guess is very personal.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teaching, I don't I think I am good at that. I am better at learning and sharing. I think it's a natural process when surfing and hosting.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share chats, episodes and memories of other places, images on the place I am visiting.

Countries I’ve Visited

Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Malawi, Malta, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Argentina, Italy, Lebanon, Spain, Tanzania