My name is Christian! Almost ten years ago, I traveled to Peru with a non-profit organization to provide healthcare services to underserved communities within the mountain villages around Cusco. That humbling and transformative experience really opened my eyes to the breath-taking natural beauty and immensely rich cultures outside of the typical American society I had been living in my entire life. I made a promise to myself that I would make time in my life to incorporate more traveling and exploring different ways of living. Since then, I have gone off to travel in Japan, Vietnam, most of western Europe, Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico and 7 amazing countries in Africa. I've learned a great deal about myself and about the type of person I wish to be during my time on Earth. I've met some truly amazing people along the way and I'm looking forward to keep this hunger for adventure going strong for many years to come.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Since I started traveling, I have realized that I get much more out of my experiences if I fully immerse myself in the city I'm in by hanging out with locals who truly represent the place I'm visiting. I have traveled with friends and stayed at many hostels but it comes at a sacrifice of not meeting many local people. When I decided to solo travel in Vietnam, Europe, and Africa, it forced me to interact with more locals and make friends from all over the world. I was able to expand my understanding of different cultures and meet wonderful people I would not have been able to otherwise. I decided to try out CouchSurfing to meet local hosts and share our stories, learn from each other, and make long-lasting friendships. I'm very interested in learning the way of life in different countries and appreciating how we are all so similar all over the world.

Interests

• arts
• culture
• graphic design
• salsa dancing
• animal welfare
• beer
• mexican food
• reading
• live music
• rock music
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• camping
• engineering
• philosophy
• storytelling
• bike riding
• spicy food
• good conversation
• virtual reality
• friends and family

Music, Movies, and Books

My favorite genre of music is Rock and Roll from all over the world, but I also really enjoy 80's dance music and even instrumental classical music. Like many people around the world, I find that dance music puts me in the best mood possible and has the best energy and positive vibes.

I highly enjoy reading inspiring and motivational books when I have free time and tend to mostly read non-fiction. I'm currently reading 'Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind'.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In 2018 I decided to put my life on pause to travel around Africa for half a year. It had been a HUGE dream of mine since I was a child to travel to Africa and learn about the diverse cultures, traditions, and wildlife that this beautiful continent has to offer. I was able to backpack through several countries and CouchSurf with local families, work at a farm, volunteered at a hostel, and even camped in the wilderness. I also volunteered at several community elementary schools and taught English and Math to energetic smiling school children. In total, I visited South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Morocco. I'd love to share some stories.

Another thing I am very fortunate for is my trip to Cuzco, Peru where I had the privilege to help poor communities that had very little resources at their disposal. I was able to make a significant impact in many people's lives and it radically changed my perspective on what I want to achieve in my life. I am very proud of my Latin American roots and it fills me with a great sense of pride and honor to be able to help those that have been neglected by their governments.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teaching, learning, and sharing are three of the most important aspects of how I like to live my life. I would not be the person I am today without the great friends, mentors, and sources of inspiration I have met in my life. No matter where you come from and what your life story is, we all have something to teach one another. We teach and learn by sharing our personal experiences and this creates the foundation of a growth mindset. I would love to share my own life stories with others and listen to others' as well. I'm very interested in the human condition and what it is that motivates us to live the particular lives that we choose.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Some things I enjoy sharing with others are the Spanish language, Latin American culture, salsa dancing, Mexican food, my journey from childhood in Mexico to becoming an engineer in Silicon Valley, what life in California is like, and countless philosophies I've developed throughout the years. I have been told that I have a very positive and interesting way of seeing the world and I love to share my knowledge and always learn from others as well. I appreciate people from all walks of life and have deep respect for various points of views. We are all on this planet to learn from each other and take the most out of our short, but priceless lives.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Botswana, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Mexico, South Africa, Spain, United States