CURRENT MISSION

Travel for me is the interpersonal connections you make with people around the world. It is about getting outside my comfort zone - about traveling alone or people you have just met - traveling to places that are not common and to learn new languages.

I am stationed in Saint Petersburg now, my journey has brought me here for now. Yet, I am a wanderer, walking cities --> aimlessly, hoping to find the best coffee shop. You may often find me traveling with my brother -- we do make a duo, a grand entrance, and hope to leave a memory.

ABOUT ME

Born and raised in New York, I am the first generation American in my family who is originally from Russia. Currently, I am working as a consultant for the World Bank Group after completing my studies at American University in Washington DC and Sciences Po in Paris, France. I worked as a barista for over 3 years and coffee is my favorite thing in the world. If you happen to have an espresso machine, best believe I can put a heart in your drink. I love playing guitar, and its hard for me to resist buying a new instrument every time I am in another country or state (I did so when I moved to France!). I

I am also currently writing prose poetry and short stories -- > memories of childhood, of traveling, connections, friends, life. On the side - I write music and perform at numerous open mics in Paris and Washington DC.

PHILOSOPHY

Working and paying bills is not the reason that we were placed on this earth. While I do enjoy my job and my current city - I use the time that I have to get away. I find that relying on hotels, and expensive weekends stays in places around the world do not reflect the true secrets of the city and people that you are staying at. It is more interesting staying with people, and gathering with couch surfers from all around the world to build a bigger connection, to have more options to travel, and perhaps start new friendships - this is what really matters.

"The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences" - C. McCandless

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Using the free time I have during vacation, I surf to meet people in different states and countries. Couch surfing is a great way to keep my travels more interesting by filling them with interesting people. I also have had the most amazing experiences with people from couchsurfing. From drinks to food to dancing to camping, I will never forget the incredible things I've learned from other peoples' way of life.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I began traveling with my brother. At first we did not use couch surfing however stayed in France with a graphic designer for a month. In the winter of 2013-2014, my brother and I were able to find a house-sitting gig for 3 weeks in New Orleans, and were finally introduced to Couchsurfing after finding a place in San Antonio. We have met amazing people ranging from Turkey to Mexico to Algeria, Italy, the Netherlands, Latvia and so many others and enjoy staying with people that make our experience much more interesting, culturally revealing, and rewarding. I myself have hosted people I met in San Antonio, and I am looking to expand my network abroad.

Interests

I love music, musical instruments and anything that has strings. I enjoy playing guitar. I am avid cyclist, language learner, movie buff, and forthcoming soccer fan. I love studying the french language, politics, foreign policy. I also enjoy cooking, traveling, and I love coffee science. I am sure I can say much more in person, walking, differences in wine, reading, writing, living.

• culture
• writing
• poetry
• design
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• coffee
• walking
• drinking
• shopping
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• guitar
• camping
• surfing
• soccer
• languages
• science
• study abroad

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Bon Iver, Mumford and Sons, Kings of Lyon, Louis Armstrong, Airborne Toxic Events, Phoenix, Karkwa, Malajube, Deportivo, Viktor Tsoy, Walk of The Earth, BI-2, Ra Ra Riot, Beat Beat Beat, Dangerous Summer, Wilhelm Tell Me, The Kooks, The Lonely Forest, Ben Howard, Matt and Kim, The Jezabels, Bastille, the xx, Greg Laswell, and many more.

Books: Catcher and the Rye, La peste, How to write a sentence, Notes from no man's land, Into the wild, the pearl. bird by bird, a man's search for meaning.

Movies: Lone Survivor, Zero Dark Thirty, Annie Hall, Taxi Driver, Good Fellas, Trading Places, Into the Wild, etc.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Spending a month in Paris in a small apartment in the 20e arrondissement with my brother was one of the greatest experiences I have had. Not only did my french improve greatly, but it exposed me to a new culture, broke certain stereotypes and ultimately made me fall in love with France.

Traveling with my brother has proven to hold many experiences that I remember. Going to Maine before college was interesting, as my brother had just gotten his license and we decided to drive 500 miles.

I also traveled to Morocco where I spent 3 days in the Sahara in a small tent community with Moroccan Berbers.

I have also traveled to Brazil twice after falling in love.

Teach, Learn, Share

Learn new languages.
Coffee science and how to make a great latte :)
Wanting to Learn a new phrase from the language of each country I visit
Sharing Cuisine and music.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can make a great cappuccino
I can teach you some Russian and can make Russian blintzes (crepes) which we fill with jam and honey.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Spain, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Russian Federation, United States