CURRENT MISSION

To find out if it is still possible to keep faith in mankind. Haven't arrived at any reasonable conclusion so far...

ABOUT ME

Still figuring out who I am. In practical terms, I am striving to finish college while trying to make sure I have the job I want.
Spiritually, I want to become a better person, more attentive to other people's needs, more respectful, more tolerant, more patient, more caring...

PHILOSOPHY

It's important to respect each other. Even if you do not agree with the person next to you, s/he has as much right to express her/himself as you. But it is very difficult, I must admit. Selfishness is very insidious a feeling and it has many disguises. Everytime you think you have overcome it, it shows a different face... it's been one of my lifelong battles...

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have welcomed a few people so far with varied levels of exciting experiences. All of them left a very strong impression on me and made me learn a lot about the world and mysef. Great people, with larger than lif lessons to give. I'm grateful I had the chance to meet them and I hope I will have more pleasant experiences with couhcsurfers in the future.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have had quite a number of people staying in my place. I like making poeple welcome and feeling they are being cared for. However, what really stuns me is that in spite of the very little I can actually offer, they have been more than generous in what they give back in terms of kindness and understanding .

Interests

Friendship, with capital "F". Books, films, nature, languages, different cultures...

• books
• dining
• movies
• languages
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Eccletic: at the same time I am eager for Ozu's films, for example, I can also enjoy a nice "mass culture" movie, such as "Iron Man". Science Fiction series and movies are also in the list.
Brazilian Popular Music (a bit more than only Bossa Nova); jazz (mostly the great singers - Ella, Billie, Sarah); classic (mostly Mahler, but also bits from different periods, from Baroque to Contemporary).
British literature has been on my mind because of college, but I do not usually follow any school or style. Fantasies and fairy tales, old or modern, are also in the pack, from Gaiman's "Stardust" to Rowling's "Harry Potter", going through Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Grimm Brothers etc.
The poetry of Fernando Pessoa (Portuguese writer) is on the top of my readings - it soothes my soul at troublesome moments. Also the (recenetly discovered) poetry of Carlos Drummond de Andrade (Brazilian writer of the first half of XXth century). There's more, but I'd rather have you asking me than saying all at once here.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Living is amazing in itself. The most amazing thing in my life may sound simple and silly to others, but I might say that was my grandmother. She was completely illiterate, but she was wise to the bone. She died at 103, 10 yrs ago, but before leaving this world she taught me a lot about generosity, respect,resignation, life-enjoyment... someday I may tell you her story. It is an ordinary one, but at the same time, it's totally unique.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am volunteer at a NGO in São Paulo which is devoted to helping people in the hinterlands of Brazil. I would be very happy to learn about different experiences people have in this area. Briefly, what we do is to provide the means for people who have never had a chance to even live in a decent house to have a chance to start from scratch. We build villages in certain areas of the country and teach families how touse the basics of a house (taps, stoves, beds, toilets etc), how to grow their food and commercialize the exceedings, among many other things. If it is allowed here, please visit www.amigosdobem.org.br and see what we have been doing. I have always wanted to start a world net in which people shared their experiences in these areas. We cannot count only on the government to provide welfare; there are too many people around the world living below the line of poverty. If there is anything that people can do to help - sharing knowledge, for example - I think we should try. We should establish a global learning experience.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A room with two single beds, guidance on means of transport and safety guidelines, suggestions of places to visit.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, France, Ireland, Italy, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil

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