Hey, I'm Christian—a Texan who found his heart in the Balkans through an unexpected harmony of culture and music. I moved here back in 2012, starting out on a little Croatian island, and eventually made my way to Serbia, where I've settled in like it was meant to be. Living here has been an incredible journey—the people are some of the warmest and friendliest you'll ever meet, and the culture, music, and everyday life pulled me in deeper than I ever could have expected. What really anchored me here was discovering the region's rich musical heritage; it resonated with me in a way that made this place feel like home.

Running my own online business gives me the freedom of the digital nomad lifestyle, while staying rooted in a place I've grown to love. I've embraced the local culture completely, becoming fluent in Serbian and carving out a unique niche in Belgrade's music scene. The locals know me as that enthusiastic Texan who brings a blend of Southern charm to their favorite songs, and people are often surprised and delighted to hear an American singing fluently in Serbian—something that's occasionally landed me spots on local TV and in newspapers for my take on ex-Yugoslav rock classics.

Music is the thread that weaves through everything I do, propelling me forward and shaping my journey. I express myself through guitar, piano, drums, and percussion, with a particular passion for progressive rock and world music. Every culture I encounter adds new colors to my musical palette, and these discoveries often lead me to explore new places and connect with different traditions. It's a beautiful cycle of music, culture, and exploration that keeps me inspired and growing. I'm always eager to explore what others are listening to.

Want to check out some of my music? :)
https://linktr.ee/vividuous

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I’ve been part of the Couchsurfing community for a while and used to host pretty often back in the day. Life got busy, so I took a bit of a break, but I’m excited to jump back in—whether that’s hosting more or doing some traveling myself. Meeting people from around the world has always been one of my favorite parts of Couchsurfing, and I love sharing stories, culture, and music with whoever comes through.

I don’t host as often as I used to, mainly because I’ve noticed the vibe changing. It feels like some folks just want a free place to crash, and that’s not really what I’m into. If we don’t share similar interests or vibes, chances are I won’t host you. But if you’re a cool person with similar interests and we connect, I’ve got a big apartment in the city center with two awesome roommates, and we have an extra room available for guests.

I’m hoping to visit Istanbul soon—never been there, and I’ve heard it’s the cat capital of the world! As a big cat lover with a special fondness for lynxes (they’re my spirit animal!), I can’t wait to explore the city and meet all the feline friends that roam its streets. I’m also looking forward to discovering more music from there. Ever since I discovered Barış Manço a year ago, Istanbul has been higher up on my list. Plus, I hear it has some similiarities to Belgrade but much larger.

Interests

I like to keep things balanced and just enjoy life. Most of the time, I'm a bit of a quiet introvert, but I can definitely get chatty when the vibe's right. When I’m not jamming on my guitar or messing around on the piano, I’m working on my business or practicing yoga and meditation—just trying to find that chill spot between mind and body.

I love wandering around the city, checking out cool spots, or hitting up the local nightlife. I’m all about getting outside for a walk or a hike to soak in some nature, and I also like to hit the gym or go swimming sometimes to stay active. Hanging out with friends is great too but I'm usually more of a loner and enjoy spending time by myself. That said, every now and then, it’s customary for me to indulge in a little bit of rakija - the national drink of Serbia, and get into some kind of unexpected adventure.

Occassionally I might get into some gaming, RTS, FPS, and MMORPGs, though I don’t play so often. Still, it’s a nice way to chill and connect with people, especially during the winter months.

• writing
• architecture
• yoga
• traveling
• music
• anthropology
• history
• languages
• sociology
• art
• health
• vinyl
• ayurveda
• musicology
• yoga and meditation
• writing poetry
• yugoslavia
• chinese herbalism
• ex yu rock

Music, Movies, and Books

If you had to sit me down and ask about my favorite music, I could probably name a thousand artists. Music is a huge part of my life, especially progressive rock—bands like Yes and King Crimson really do it for me. I love diving into sounds from all over the world, which has turned me into a bit of a musicologist.

When it comes to movies, I enjoy a good story and appreciate visual creativity. Some of my favorites are The Mission and Das Boot. And on the reading front, I might not pick up physical books much these days, but I read a lot online. I dig yoga books and spiritual reads that help me to become a better person, like The Power of Now and Autobiography of a Yogi. I'm not much into fiction reads anymore, and prefer non-fiction.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

A few years ago, I released my own song and music video in Serbian called "Gde me put nanese," which is on YouTube. When it came out, I was featured on TV and in newspapers here in Serbia, which felt pretty surreal. There are quite a few amazing things I have done in my life—said with all humility and modesty, of course—but this was definitely a milestone for me. It took a long time to really master the Serbian language and it took a long time recording the song and especially the vocals making sure I'm doing my best to get the pronunciations right, so it felt like a huge achievement and something I'd wanted to do for a long time.

Teach, Learn, Share

Yoga and pranayama, meditation, music lessons (guitar, piano, drums), web design and marketing tips, insights on yoga, and knowledge about the vibrant music scene from ex-Yugoslavia, especially as you visit Serbia to learn more about it.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I’m all about good times and swapping stories—Texas to the Balkans and everything in between. I can bring some music to the mix, whether it’s having a jam or just sharing some playlists. I can also guide you through some laid-back yoga or meditation. I’ve got web and design tips up my sleeve. Most importantly, I'm just bringing the good vibe and trying to keep it real. I value authenticity more than anything.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, India, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, India, Serbia, United States