My name is Cristina, my friends call me Cri. I come from a small farm-like "art town" in the Western Cape of South Africa. This eclectic space filled with down-to-earth individuals from every walk of life has shaped me to who I am today. It has taught me to find pleasure in nature, to never miss a sunset, learn from your fellow human being, keep an open mind, see beauty in places you'd never expect and always grant yourself the freedom of being. I've also been blessed enough to come from a multicultural background, with South African and Peruvian parents. This has also played a large role in shaping me.

I have a deep appreciation for life and all that it offers us - ensuring to always see the reasons and lessons behind everything. I am eager to continuously learn and endlessly create myself through various experiences, interactions, exposure to new people and cultures.

I am a firm believer in sharing as much as one can and merging worlds with the people that one encounters. Each one can teach one, but only if both are listening. I love to observe and seek understanding through listening and paying attention.

Essentially, I want to go into film-making, where my imagery will share a story through visual communication and evocation. I hope to take incredible footage on my journey and if you'd like to be included, to include friends made along the way in my documentation too.

PHILOSOPHY

"Share and grow"

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Traveling - A learning experience of note!

If there's even a questioning as to why I am traveling, learning would be the answer.

Through integrating with locals and immersing yourself within a culture or ethos, you gain a broader understanding of a space and its people. I'd like to experience a space through the eyes of its people - as more often than not, the people are what make the space what it is. Show me your customs, food, traditions, personalities and spaces and I will share with you, mine!

Interests

• photography
• film making
• cooking
• traveling
• music
• live music
• hiking
• swimming
• art
• nature
• film photography
• chilling
• conversation
• exploring new places
• cultural exchange

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:

I have a theory that my favourite type of music is simply a good song.

I don't subscribe to specific genres or side with a specific sound - as a song that captivates my mind, soul or body is one that will be celebrated with a dance or a soft wafting, tapping of the foot or the urge to sing along.

I can enjoy sounds from classic 50's, soft and sultry music, alternative rock, hip hop, folk, jazz, blues, East & West African music, electronic music and just about anything with a great bassline. I can go on!

Movies:

I enjoy beautiful cinematography, a great soundtrack and psychological analysis or commentary in movies. A few of my favourites, but are not limited to, include:

The Spirit of the Beehive, Pulp Fiction, I Origins, A bigger splash, The unbearable lightness of being, Amélie, Samsara, The Grand Budapest Hotel and many many more!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I'm on my way to doing some amazing things.

One thing that I took a lot from, however, was attending South Africa's "Burning Man" type event, Afrikaburn. This takes place in the desert of the Tankwa Karoo, the space with the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets you'll ever find. Taking part in this incredible event practices the following principles - radical inclusion, gifting culture (no money or bartering, only gifts given and taken in the spirit of contribution), de-commodification, radical self-reliance, radical self expression, communal effort, civic responsibility , leaving no trace, participation, immediacy, each one teach one.

A week and a bit in the desert in harsh conditions, surrounded by people from all walks of life proved to be a massive learning curve and an enriching experience.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can make some pretty tasty meals including the family Spaghetti Bolagnaise, as well as my mother's delicious Peruvian Lomo Saltado. Other than that, I'm creative in the kitchen and really love to cook! If I can contribute in any way, it would be my pleasure to share.

I'm not much of an artist, but I do enjoy drawing and leaving a piece with people that become special to me. If you're happy to - it would be appreciated if you could leave me a little memoir in my journal too!

I'm eager to help out, share my music, stories, maybe some English/Afrikaans phrases or anything that I can!

Countries I’ve Visited

Germany, Netherlands, Peru

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands, South Africa