Hi, Im Mechi (real name is Maria) , 29 years old from Argentina. Lived all my life in Bs As with my family (still doing it). In a relationship for around 6 years with Rafa, my boyfriend and current travel partner. We have being traveling for 16 months all around NZ - Australia (living 1 year) - South East Asia and Italy... yeah! At the beggining Italy wasn't planned , but in the road we realized how much we missed a real Pizza and yummy Pasta. So basically, we got out of the normal trip in SEA for a good meal!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Im new in CS, heard awesome stuff about it and as Im traveling to Italy in a month time, Ive decided to give it a shot!

Ive learned that traveling is not only knowing places, but knowing the people that makes really amazing those places (or not !?). The culture, customs, smells, sounds and food turns a place from good to epic. So knowing the people is a better way to know any country.

During my trip in South East Asia Ive always tried to stay at locals house (not with CS, if not Family Guesthouses) and got the best experiences. So here we go!!

Interests

One main interest that defines me , is social work. Thats why I Ive been an Un-paid volunteer since 2007 in TECHO (www.techo.org) Despite how difficult it sounds, I used to build, along other volunteers, pre-fabricated one-room houses for families living in extreme poverty. But the construction is not only about the house, because it creates a link of trust between the volunteers and the community, and the opportunity to meet great people.

• culture
• dining
• cooking
• drinking
• flying
• traveling
• backpacking
• scuba diving
• languages
• social work
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - Some good old Rock & Roll but most of all some good Reggaeton to dance.
Movies - Almost every crying, romantic and girly movie around starting with Noah´s Diary.

Books - As Im traveling, this days Im reading some books related to the places Im visiting. such as Where the Sea Takes us (Vietnam) - I am Malala (Pakistan) - First they killed my Father (Cambodia)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Meet my boy friend... ahhh besides that? mmm quit my job and started my life time trip around New Zeland - Australia - and South East Asia.

Some other stuff like, try to learn how to surf in Australia, diving in Kho Tao (Thailand), learning to drive a scooter in Vietnam, backpacking on my own around Europe, flying to Peru and help people rebuild their houses after 2007 earthquake. Volunteering in an English School in Cambodia!

Teach, Learn, Share

As a very proud Argentinian, I can share every part of my culture, that includes (off course) my language. I can help you with some Spanish lessons. I even tried to teach some spanish to a Korean friend in Australia.

I love cooking, so I would be really happy to cook a real Argentinian meal for you, and any friend of yours that wants to try it, because we know all about sharing food and coming together with friends! Empanadas? Asado? you name it....

I would also looove to learn some local cooking and off course some new words in other languages!

What I Can Share with Hosts

But above anything, we carry with us, our Mate (typical beverage from home)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mate_(beverage). This is our excuse to share and spend some time together talking and chilling around while we drink this Argentinian tea.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Myanmar, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Peru, Spain, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Argentina, Australia