Hi! I’m Claudio (Clau). I’ve got a degree in Construction Engineering, but my real passion is sustainable construction and creating earth-based art and murals.
I love exploring the world, especially connecting with rural communities, while sharing knowledge and experiences about earth building, travel, permaculture, and ancient cultures.

I love hiking, swimming, and being outdoors, as I feel that my ultimate source of love, wisdom, and inspiration comes from nature.

I’m curious, open-minded, and a creative guy. I don’t like routine, and I always try to see the glass half full. I guess my mindset makes me look much younger than my age (believe me, most of my pictures are recent haha).

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I believe the best way to travel is by meeting local people, as it gives you the chance to experience each place from a different perspective. I enjoy meeting locals, cooking together, and learning from different cultures—those shared moments often become the most meaningful part of a journey. Plus, it allows you to meet truly interesting people who can make your trip even more special.

On the other hand, hosting gives you the opportunity to provide a home and comfort to travellers who are far away from their own places, and it’s always nice to be part of someone else’s journey.

Interests

At this stage of my life, I’m especially interested in connecting with people and communities involved in bioconstruction, earth building, and permaculture, to exchange knowledge, skills, and lived experiences. I’m also drawn to people who enjoy deep conversations, are open-minded, question life, and seek connection through authenticity, vulnerability, and honesty. I truly believe that shared experiences with the right people—even over a short period of time—can be life-changing.

• animals
• photography
• vegetarian
• meditation
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• ecology
• volunteering
• massage
• permaculture
• heritage
• bioconstruction
• workshops
• earth building
• mural art

Music, Movies, and Books

I don’t watch movies very often, but my favourites are those that make you think and offer new perspectives on life. I enjoy documentaries, and I think my favourite genre is magical realism, like Amélie and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

I listen to many different kinds of music, depending on my mood. Most of the time, I’m drawn to music that blends alternative rock, indie, experimental pop, and a touch of electronic sounds. Some of my favourite bands since my teenage years are Björk, Garbage, The Cranberries, No Doubt, Alanis Morissette, Placebo, The Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Pixies, Of Monsters and Men, Gus Dapperton, and many more.

My favourite authors are Deepak Chopra, Paulo Coelho, Eduardo Galeano, Julio Cortázar, Brian Weiss, and Eckhart Tolle.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One of the most amazing things I’ve done is constantly reinvent myself whenever I feel it’s necessary. I left my first engineering job when it no longer felt right and moved to Australia, where I travelled almost the entire country.
That decision opened a path of years of travel and exploration through Southeast Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Chilean desert—working in hospitality, tourism, and as a massage therapist.
Eventually, I reconnected with my professional roots through earth construction, almost unintentionally building my own company focused on heritage housing repair, while also teaching bioconstruction workshops and creating earth murals.
Two years ago, I felt the call to start again and moved back to Australia.
Each step has been taken without fear, trusting my intuition and abilities, and that journey has taught me to live honestly, stay true to myself, and let go of other people’s expectations.
I’m deeply proud of the path I’ve walked.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teaching and sharing what I know comes very naturally to me, which is why I love running workshops. I can teach you about earth construction, bioconstruction, and how to use earth as a creative medium for art and murals. I’m also happy to share some massage techniques, teach Spanish, and pass on what I’ve learned from the countries I’ve travelled through. On the other hand, I love learning too—I enjoy picking up the basics of the local language wherever I go, and I’m deeply interested in learning about the ancestral cultures and traditions of each place I visit.

What I Can Share with Hosts

As a guest, I’m happy to offer a massage in exchange for accommodation, and I love cooking—so I’d be more than happy to cook some of my favourite dishes for you. But more than that, you’d be hosting someone who enjoys good conversations, sharing life stories, and laughing along the way. I truly believe that no one crosses our path by accident—every encounter brings a little lesson or a bit of magic. I’m always open to being surprised by life.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador

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