Hello, I'm Allison! I traveled around the U.S. a lot, camping to get out in nature, but haven't been many places abroad until now. Even though I'm a bit of an introvert I like to meet new people to understand their perspective and way of life. Meeting a lot of Russians through Misha, I have been trying to learn the language well enough to socialize. I love to do things for myself even when it would be easier to buy something or use technology-sewing a sturdy zipper to my traveling backpack, learning foreign languages, or walking/figuring out public transport instead of taking a taxi. I've lived in Denver for 5 years and get to escape to the hiking trails on weekends.
I took the opportunity to study abroad in Spain in 2008 and I'd love to go back. I'm traveling around Europe for 2 months this year with Misha as a career break for the chance to explore the world. I love to see what is unique and beautiful about a place.

Misha grew up in Siberia, visiting Ukraine every summer but and still loves the cold weather best. Living in Denver for most of his life, his family retains many of their Russian traditions and their language. If only his family weren't so spread out around the globe. Much of the family lives in Israel since the fall of the USSR and we're including a visit out that way on our Europe trip. It is the best feeling traveling to places most other people haven't been, getting off the beaten track. He is obsessed with new technology and has dreams of contributing inventions to the world in the future.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I prefer to meet people while traveling so I'll stay in hostels. But I want to meet locals as well as other travelers so couch surfing is best for that.

Interests

Allison: Learning, languages, reading
Misha: Movies!! Adventures, trying new things. Eating sushi when possible (Denver is nowhere near an ocean).

• dining
• walking
• technology
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• hiking
• backpacking
• camping
• surfing
• skydiving
• track and field
• languages
• study abroad

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: The Beekeepers Apprentice, Ender's Game, The Sword of Truth
Movies: Equilibrium, Matrix, Inception, Beautiful Mind and other futuristic or thought-provoking movies.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Allison: Hiked around molten lava on Hawaii's Big Island.
Misha: Went skydiving out of a hot air balloon at 40,000 feet.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories about Siberia and thoughts about Russia. Home cooked food.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, France, Ireland, Israel, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation, Spain, Ukraine