Hello my Name is Luka. I'm 22 years old and from Essen in western Germany.

I'm in Japan right now, plan to stay there for 6 months from the beginning of march to the end of august 2019 and travel all of Japan's main islands except for Hokkaidou(sorry Hokkaidou I know you have a lot of beauty to offer. Next time :D)
So if you see a black dude with a big backpack, a tent and a skateboard, chances are it's me, so feel free to say hello :P

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm mainly on Couchsurfing, because I want to have a deeper experience when traveling to foreign countries. I think being able to hang out or even live with locals makes your stay much more enjoyable and gives you a better feeling of what the country and its people are actually like. You meet nice and warm people who share with you the things they love to do and with whom you can learn about each others culture. I really like these conversations :)
In addition you get the chance to experience the insider spots and activities only real locals can show you and won't waste your time and money on some tourist traps.
And most importantly because of all that you can make some great friends which I think won't be that difficult because most people on Couchsurfing will likely be warm, interesting and open people and I mean who wouldn't like to be friends with people like this :D

I also love the concept of Couchsurfing because it moves different countries and cultures closer together. I'm convinced that living for some time in a different culture especially when you have the opportunity to meet locals on a regular basis, benefits every single human being, because it broadens your perspective and thus makes you a more open and creative person. Maybe even more important, it makes you question certain things you've considered normal or maybe even ideal while on the other hand makes you appreciate certain things your culture has produced, which you might have taken for granted before.

Interests

So I really like to learn new stuff about different cultures and how things are different when it comes to big societal, philosophical questions, etc. but also everyday stuff like how to greet or table manners :D

I love to talk and read about deep topics such as philosophy, spirituality, friendship/social relationships, sustainability, societal changes, future technology, self-development, etc. because I think those things concern everyone and everybody has a opinion about these topics and I think it's always interesting to learn what people believe and why. But don't worry I'm a super open person so I don't get mad at people if they have a different opinion or try to force my opinion onto others and maybe you'll actually change my mind :D

In addition I really like dancing and skateboarding.
When I listen to my favorite songs and dance I just feel happy and I also think people who can dance are just super cool :D
About skateboarding I like that there is so much to learn and its just such a great feeling to move with high speed, flip your board and just roll away. It's also a super fun and convenient way of transportation, especially at night time when the streets are empty :) I'll bring my skateboard to Japan so if you want learn how to ride a little bit I'd be glad to help you ;)

I also like to cook and eat(more the eating part :D)which doesn't mean that it's always delicious :D I think it's great if you can create something nice which also includes delicious food right. I also believe that food is a great way of bringing people together because everybody has to eat and most people also like it :P. And there's so much to discover that's so exiting :)

Since last year I also realized for myself how relaxing nature can be for example the sound of a stream and wind that goes through leaves or when you have a great long view. That's why I started strolling occasionally and discovering nice peaceful places around where I live :)

• dancing
• cooking
• japanese food
• yoga
• meditation
• politics
• anime
• video games
• classical music
• hip-hop music
• skateboarding
• philosophy
• food
• nature
• learning languages
• spirituality
• sustainability
• japan
• family
• self-development
• multiculturalism
• deep talks
• black music

Music, Movies, and Books

Fav. Music: This might be a stereotype but I really like to listen to Hip-Hop and everything remotely close to it like RnB or Dancehall, especially when I want to dance or party. That's why I'm listening to Trap a lot recently that's just "good time/party music"even though the lyrics aren't the deepest(understatement of the year :D)
On the other hand I love to listen to classical music for the emotional vibes. This music can touch me like no other genre can. There something unique to the melodies and sounds instruments like the piano, violin or flute can create and I really love to go to big orchestras.
I also really like traditional japanese instruments like the koto or japanese flutes. I'd love to go to such a concert sometime in the future

Fav. Movie: I actually don't watch so much movies but I can list some I enjoyed watching:
1. Neon Genesis Evangelion 2. Malcom X 3. Ghost in the Shell 4. Ein Königreich für ein Lama 5. Watchmen 6. Paprika 7. A beautiful Mind 8. Prince of Zamunda 9. Studio Ghibli

Fav. Books.
I don't read that much fiction either but I absolutely love the Kingkiller Chronicles. Such a nice series, various deep characters, comprehensive plot, unpredictable, mysterious. Everything you can wish for :)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Swimming in the river at blood moon, the scenery was one of the most beautiful ones in my entire life
Making the scorpion and holding it for a stunning total of 4sec. :P
Eating raamen like naruto(I almost cried :D)
Going to a party in a church(you heard that right, crazy things are happening here in Germany :D)
Reading a sentence in all japanese(this was something basic like昨日一日中宿題をした, but I felt like a japanese pro haha)

Teach, Learn, Share

As you might guess I can teach you a lot about the german language and Germany in general.
We can also practice English together :)
I'm also doing some basic yoga so we could do it together and maybe I can show you a thing or two and also teach you a little bit about the philosophy behind it.
I'll bring my skateboard so if you wanted to learn how to ride a skateboard for your whole life, but there was nobody who showed it to you, the moment has finally come :D

I'd love to learn something about the country I'm in from a person who has experienced it himself.
I'd also like to practice my broke Japanese so that I won't order a "chikAnbaagaa" by mistake or confuse suwattemoii? with sawattemoii? :D and improve it in general in order to form deeper connections to Japanese people and thereby also get a better understanding of Japan as a society.

What I Can Share with Hosts

If somebody is so kind to let me stay at his place, I'd love to give something back. So first and foremost my smile and energy :). But I'd also of course be glad if i can help in the house(cleaning, shopping groceries, cooking, etc)
I'd also love to cook something from your country or mine(like cabbage dishes, Reibekuchen or Maultaschen, etc.) together :).

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Croatia, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany