Rafael V. - Profile - Couchsurfing

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Why I'm on Couchsurfing

I've lived in San Diego, CA for 4 years (most amazing years of my life!) and miss the international vibe – meeting people from different backgrounds who can talk about everything from geeky science to TV shows or the best way to make tortilla de patatas (spoiler: WITH onion, and I will die on this hill).

About

University Professor

Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering

Seville, Spain

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Lord of the Rings (used to reread it every few years), anything by Asimov or Sanderson, The Expanse... Movies: 2001: A Space Odyssey (Kubrick was a genius), Blade Runner, Arrival, Dune (both versions), The Grand Budapest Hotel Music: Pink Floyd (Dark Side of the Moon is a religious experience), prog rock music when I work, 80s rock when I run TV: The Expanse, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, anything sci-fi that makes me think Currently reading: Jade City

References

One Amazing Thing I've Done

Lived in 4 different countries and realized that "home" isn't a place, it's the people you connect with. Also, I've seen Iguazú Falls and it still gives me chills thinking about it.

Teach, Learn, Share

Learn: I love learning about different cultures through food and stories. What's the dish that reminds you of home? What's the best advice someone ever gave you? Teach: I can explain how satellites work, debate the best sci-fi books ever written, or show you the Sevilla that tourists never see – the neighborhood bars, the hidden viewpoints, the places where locals actually hang out. Share: Good conversations over coffee or wine, stories from 30+ countries I've visited, and probably too much enthusiasm about AI and space technology (fair warning: I get excited about nerdy stuff). Cook:I'm learning! If you're patient, I can attempt to cook for you. If you're a good cook, even better – teach me!

What I Can Share With Hosts

I mostly host, so I will write what I can share with guests: A comfortable, safe place to sleep in a well-connected neighborhood (15 min to city center). More importantly: Good conversations, local recommendations beyond the guidebook, and maybe a tour of the real Sevilla if I'm free and you're interested. I can also help with Spanish practice if you're learning! Fair warning: I travel a lot for work, so I might not be around much. But when I am, I enjoy showing guests the city. For hosts: of course, reciprocity (back in Sevilla, if they visit), as well as good conversation, teach some AI tricks, cook some dish (maybe haha)... and share my enthusiasm and happiness.

My Interests

I'm genuinely curious about how people live in different places. Not the touristy stuff, but the real life – what do you cook on a Tuesday night? What makes you laugh? What's the best decision you ever made? Currently fascinated by how AI is changing everything (I teach this, so I can't help myself). Also finally learning to cook properly at this point in my life – turns out you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. I collect stories and perspectives more than souvenirs. Every conversation teaches me something about the world, or about myself.