Hi everyone! I'm Pablo Crottogini, I'm Argentine and I'm 37.

I've got sort of a double life when it comes to what I do: I teach English as a second language, on the one hand, and I'm pretty much in love with the profession; on the other hand, I've been getting into lighting design for the past few years, programming and running light shows in concerts around town, and I became the LD for El Plan de la Mariposa, an awesome up-and-coming Argentine rock band.

I guess I'm a pretty easygoing, laid-back guy, and kind of childlike in certain ways, although I enjoy good talks and I think I'm quite good at listening. I absolutely adore food and all manner of earthly pleasures, and getting to experience them is one of the main reasons I enjoy travelling. I don't smoke, but I don't mind people smoking around me. I have no allergies or special needs of any kind.

I'm also very much into books (I'm currently re-reading Midnight's Children and before that I read Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, perhaps my favorite English-language writer); movies (though not big budget, big hype Hollywood stuff necessarily) and music (I used to be really into progressive rock when I was a kid, and as I grew up I opened my mind to all kinds of sounds; the Argentine music scene is outstandingly rich and vibrant in that respect). I also enjoy playing board games and video games.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've travelled around before, but I decided to join CS because for my next trip to Europe I'd like to meet up with people who are inserted in the culture and the real life of the country I'm visiting. I'm keen on knowing what other people's world views are, and what making a living, expressing yourself and having fun means from the point of view of other cultures.

Interests

• books
• movies
• board games
• music
• live music
• food
• english
• lighting

Music, Movies, and Books

The truth is that I like all kinds of music which involve some degree of experimentation and depth. Argentine music is great, and if I had to name names from the international scene I'd say Porcupine Tree and all of Steven Wilson's solo work; early Dream Theater; Pink Floyd... There's many more.

Movies: The Big Lebowski is my all time favourite, and I'd say The Fall, Moonrise Kingdom, Spirited Away, Inside Out and The Brand New Testament definitely crack the Top Ten.

Books; I've mentioned Margaret Atwood, there's also Julian Barnes, by whom I've read The Sense of an Ending and A History of the World. Waterland by Graham Swift is one of the most amazing novels I remember reading.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I wish I could say "designing my own board game", but it's still a work in progress. Lame? Perhaps!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share drinks, laughs, chats about anything, food... I can also cook and help around the house if necessary... I can't think of anything else right now but I'm cool with most things.

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Canada, England, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United States, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

Argentina