Hello, I’m Alessia. I’m from Italy and have been living in Spain for the past two years. My studies brought me to Madrid, where I got to know its energy, and I also discovered the beauty of the Basque Country. I love walking by the coast.
I like moments that make me see things in a new way, and this is also one thing that motivates me to travel.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To travel, learn, share, empathize and connect :)

Interests

• walking
• traveling
• neuroscience
• science
• solo travel
• nature
• weightlifting
• spanish
• math
• coast
• euskara
• discover gastronomy
• tortilla de patatas con cebolla

Music, Movies, and Books

Music
I enjoy live music, especially small concerts. I like discovering new artists and genres, and I’m curious about experimental sounds as well as regional music and dance.

Movies
Three Colors by Krzysztof Kieślowski, especially Blue; Waking Life; and their soundtrack too. I tend to like European cinema and documentaries, but it's not a rule really.
I think this is a good place to mention that Into the Wild and Waking Life left strong impressions on me

Books
Italo Calvino is very special to me, and I grew up loving Roald Dahl. At the moment I am reading The Brain from Inside Out; and Stories of your life and others, by Ted Chiang. I paused Saramago’s Ensayo sobre la ceguera halfway, but I’d like to return to it.

Now I am also starting Vehicles by Valentino Braitenberg.

I’m always open to recommendations!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I realized that to move forward I had to stop defining myself through labels or mentors, even the ones I loved. I see it as a part of pursuing lightness, not as superficiality, but as a way to move freely through life and complexity (mentioning Italo Calvino). Travelling is a part of this search.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach Italian and share some recipes from my hometown in Italy :) I like talking about research and ideas. I am open and interdisciplinary. But most of all, I’m curious to learn what others can teach and to listen to what they want to share.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can’t host right now.

If I could, I would happily share conversation, stories, a lot of empathy and curiosity; respectful silence, too. A quiet and clean environment, clean blankets, breakfast, some good coffee or tea. Warm water for the shower, hair dryer, towels. I can cook something simple, or we can try new recipes together, or explore the city together if time allows, or go to some exposition, or play board games... Or share time reading on our own.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy, Spain