I’m originally from Russia, lived in New York for 7 years. I have been traveling since I was a kid, my mom would make sure that every year we leave our small northern town and explore a new country. I always was fascinated by how life structure was depending on culture and geography of the place, it was all so different from what I experienced in my hometown. Traveling became an ultimate way of learning about life, people, the world and my place in it. I decided that one day I will leave my tiny bubble and go explore as many places as I can.

I moved to the US by myself after graduating high school. Spent freshmen year in Nebraska (yes, I was hanging out with cowboys, played beer pong and skate boarded by corn fields) , came to New York on the first summer vacation, spontaneously transferred all documents to a local school and stayed. I love this city - it gave me very important life experiences, I’ve met really cool people and developed my passion for music and visual art into my profession.

I became a freelance video creator and analogue photographer. Was working on very diverse projects: from capturing raw underground music raves to shooting for world class modeling agencies. It was fun to explore what New York could offer but lately I started to feel a very strong urge of go full time traveling and document my experience. It was always my dream but I was thinking that I didn’t have enough of money, time, knowledge to live that lifestyle.

This year I decided that I can’t wait for “the right” moment anymore, the right moment is now. None of us is getting younger so gotta go and chase those dreams. I just gave up my rent, put stuff in the storage, got a backpack and camera in my hands…nervous but excited to begin a new chapter. :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is such fun way to travel! Meeting people all around the world, connecting, learning from each other, experience life together is what I value the most about it. Can’t wait to meet you!

It’s also a great way to see as many places as possible without having a million dollar budget for it. Couchserfing in new friend’s house, eating dollar ramen, taking bus from town to town - that’s a real life adventure!

Interests

• culture
• fashion
• photography
• traveling
• music
• film
• video production

Music, Movies, and Books

I love music. It navigates me. I’ve been exposed to countless amount of diverse music while working for underground scene in New York. I’ve got a lot of Dj friends from all over the world who show me music that I would never find myself and which absolutely blow my mind. Would be happy to share it with you :)

Filmmaking is what I chose as my craft so I watch a movie almost every day. I love avant-garde, French New Wave, New Hollywood and Soviet cinema. Andrei Tarkovsky is the director who’s poetic filmmaking language touches me the most.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Two years ago I saw a cat in a backyard of my house in Brooklyn. I kept seeing her for a whole week until one rainy night I’ve heard meows outside. She was sitting right down my window, begging for help. I came outside, gave her some food and initially felt that there’s a connection between us. I decided to bring her inside of my house, she was so loving and grateful that I realized that now I have a new life companion. Now it’s two of us. We travelled to Niagara Falls together, sit near by lakes in Upstate NY, walked the beaches in Hamptons. She became my friend and I want her to live her best adventures life.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I’m happy to share anything I know. Also, I can snap a coupla cool shots for you :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Latvia, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation, United States