CURRENT MISSION

To beat my record of eating 26 bananas!

ABOUT ME

I don't really like to talk about myself unless I'm talking to somebody, sharing about our life and experiences, and that person asks me first, but since I'm interested in surfing I understand the importance of trying, so I shall try! :

My name is Gabriel and I'm from Venezuela. I'm currently in Chicago, USA but I'm from the capital of my country ; Caracas, one of the most dangerous cities in the world! I like to draw and sing. I love to listen to field recordings of ethnic music and birds. I really, really love ethnic, traditional music. I think it's because it's played by people with no sort of identity crisis. I have a thing for monkeys and acting like one, in a good, humorous sense (promise). I was born in the year of the monkey, the month of the monkey at the hour of the monkey. And yes, bananas are my all time favourite fruit.

I like to listen. I don't like to argue. I like to teach, but I'm not a guru. I like to tell stories. I think I'm good at making people laugh. I'm probably more competent in that in Spanish than in English or any other language, though.

I'm vegetarian, and I mention this because I've seen very enthusiastic and kind hosts who talk about their cooking skills and how they like to cook for their guests, not because I'm trying to judge anybody who doesn't follow my diet. That's not the case at all. My father manages a food distributor (mostly meat and dairy) and my sister works for Oscar Mayer, so my kitchen is always stocked with animal food products. x) And is precisely because of this that I had to learn how to cook my own meals. I think I'm a very good cook, and I believe that more than any other art, cooking with your heart is what really makes all the flavours to blend.

I try. At everything. All the things I've said so far about me, I try to do those things. I try to do them, and then I try to do them good. Finally, I try to do them better, each time. When people try too, that makes me very happy.

PHILOSOPHY

Listen. Always listen.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Right now I'm interesting in surfing people's couches. I live in a crowded family and can't offer my place to strangers, but If you host me and we really get along you'll be more than welcomed to stay with me and my family, although it's a very small apartment. I can also help you find other places to stay if you want to come here. I know a lot of people in this city, who have the spirit of good hosting and helping those who really need a place to stay.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've met up with people from to time to time when I travel, mostly in Chicago. The weekly meet up events are really good in the city and even if only a small handful of people show up, it's always a good time and totally worth it! As I've always said, better to spend time with 2 or 3 people who really want to have a good time and connect than a larger group who is kinda passive and unable to take decisions on the spot. Let's all open ourselves to better experiences.

Interests

Singing.
Birdsongs.
Field recordings.
Laguages.
Drawing.
Painting.
Watercolours.
Reading.
Running.
Biking.
Pokémon games.
Video games.
Yu-Gi-Oh!.
Cooking.
Eating.
Monkey dancing.

• writing
• books
• poetry
• concerts
• festivals
• yoga
• running
• meditation
• reading
• painting
• drawing
• music
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• sports
• martial arts
• art history
• languages
• art
• vipassana
• summer
• art museums

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies:

Spirited Away.
The Fountain.
Princess Mononoke.
Titanic.
Hero.
The Secret Garden.
Ashes and Snow.
Baraka.
How's Moving Castle.
Fear And Trembling.
Paprika.
Inception.
Memoirs Of a Geisha.
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.
Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind.
The Big Fish.
The Notebook
Water for Elephants.
My Neighbor Totoro.
Millenium Actress.
What Dreams May Come.
Lady in the Water.
The Curse of the Golden Flower.
Toy Story.
Seven Pounds.
Microcosmos.
Silent Hill.
Metropolis.
Grave of Fireflies.

Music:
http://www.last.fm/user/PrimordialSun

Books:
I read a lot and I like a lot of books, but my favourite authors are Jane Austen, Edith Wharton and Lisa See. That means I love everything they have written. Nnedi Okorafor, Madeline Miller, Jeff VanderMeer, Laini Taylor, J.K. Rowling... The list goes on.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I'll leave that for later, when we meet!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you about my country, spanish language, teach you how to cook venezuelan traditional cuisine. I can teach you taijiquan. If you allow yourself, I can teach you how to listen.