Hi! I’m Rodrigo, from Modena, Italy.

I’m a calm and curious person who enjoys slow travel — walking around neighborhoods, eating local food, and trying to understand how people really live.

I’m married and a dad of a 3-year-old daughter, and I work as an engineer designing building facades.

When I travel, I’m not interested in collecting monuments but in understanding how people live. I enjoy walking through everyday neighborhoods, small restaurants, quiet bars, and conversations that go a bit deeper than the usual “where are you from?”.

I consider local food half of the journey — a pleasant and always interesting way to discover a culture. I also really enjoy cooking and learning new recipes.

I’m a calm person and respectful of personal space. I’m not into heavy partying, but I do enjoy having a drink together and talking about cultural differences, daily life, music, or cinema.

I love music and listen to many genres (rock, grunge, post-rock, indie… but also classical and traditional). I also play a bit of piano and guitar — years ago I even had a band.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I’m on Couchsurfing because I believe the best part of traveling is meeting people and sharing small moments.

I’m curious about everyday life in different places — not only the “highlights”, but how people really live, eat, spend their evenings, and see the world.

I like simple things: a walk, a coffee, cooking together, or just talking. I’m also happy to share my own experiences, stories, and a bit of Italian culture if you’re interested.

Even a short meeting can make a place feel completely different.

Interests

I’m interested in architecture (it’s also my job), but when I travel I try to look beyond buildings and focus more on people and atmosphere.

I enjoy walking without a strict plan, getting a bit lost, and discovering places by chance.

Food is very important to me — both eating and cooking. I’m always curious to try local dishes and understand the stories behind them.

Music is another big part of my life: I listen to many genres and sometimes still play piano and guitar.

I also like nature, so if there’s a chance for a short hike or a walk outside the city, I’m always happy to join.

• architecture
• cooking
• walking
• music
• live music
• hiking
• cinema
• local food
• cultural exchange
• slow travel

Music, Movies, and Books

Music, Movies & Books

Music is a big part of my life, even if I’m not exactly a teenager anymore (unfortunately 😄). My taste probably shows it: I grew up with grunge and alternative rock, and bands like Radiohead, Nirvana, and Smashing Pumpkins are still somewhere in my DNA.

On the Italian side, I like many artists from the rock and indie scene — things that probably say a bit about my generation. I try to keep myself updated and listen to new music too — sometimes even trap — but I have to admit it’s not always easy for me.

For movies, I enjoy a mix of European cinema and some bigger productions when they’re well done. I like films with atmosphere, strong direction, and good storytelling — from Kubrick to Tarantino. I’m also very curious about Korean cinema: I started many years ago with Oldboy, and I was fascinated.

Books change over time. Lately I’ve been moving between science fiction (like The Three-Body Problem or Dune), more introspective novels like Stoner, and essays that explore big questions about reality (I really like Carlo Rovelli). Recently I also enjoyed Strange Pictures by Uketsu — quite unusual and interesting.

I’m always happy to exchange suggestions — music, movies, or books are often the best way to start a good conversation.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Becoming a father is probably the most important and life-changing experience for me.

It completely changed the way I see time, priorities, and relationships — and also made me more curious about the world.

Another very important chapter of my life, both personally and professionally, was the time I spent working in Angola — about six years in total. During those years I lived in different places, from the capital to more remote and less inhabited areas.

It was a period in which I met people with whom I built deep connections, and I also had the opportunity to travel in different parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

Those experiences shaped me a lot and still influence the way I see things today.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can share:
– a bit of Italian culture and food
– my experience as an engineer (if you’re curious about architecture)
– some basic cooking

I’d love to learn:
– local recipes
– everyday habits and cultural differences
– new ways of seeing things

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share simple things.

I can cook some Italian food (nothing fancy, but honest and good 😄), and I’m always happy to cook together or learn something new.

I can share stories from my life — about Italy, my work, and the years I spent in Africa — and I’m always curious to listen to other people’s experiences.

Beyond that, I enjoy sharing thoughts and opinions on everyday topics — exploring ideas together, learning from each other, or simply having a relaxed conversation for the pleasure of it, always with respect for personal space and sensitivity, and an easygoing attitude.

Countries I’ve Visited

Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Greece, Kenya, Namibia, Paraguay, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Angola, England, Italy