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An avid backpacker, volunteer, world lover, always available for a challenging hike, good laugh and adventures!

Some are wise, some are otherwise, and I have my moments.

I've studied economics in Ukraine and international negotiations in France. Then worked, having short travel breaks in between whenever possible. Participation in Maidan 2013-14 revolution and then maniac russia waging war on Ukraine changed the mind set and priorities. I've put my life on hold and volunteered for a year with wounded warriors as an interpreter and a non-medical attendant in the hospital of Walter Reed (Washington D.C area). It was quite an experience, but the relationship with my 5-years together fiancé didn't survive it. It was sad, but I took the flight that was supposed to be our honeymoon in Brazil for three weeks alone anyway and have been traveling since :-P Being a rational person that I am, and not having anything better to do, I've decided to do what I always wanted - to roam the world in depth, learn another language that I like (Spanish, here I come), try different jobs, meet new people, learn mindfulness, humility and other non-essential for survival stuff. Preferably going to all continents in one go, but not necessarily, ha! The thing is, I kinda just need a big break and rest, filled with good people and experiences the most. I'm not in any hurry now... So that's kinda new to me!
I still remember me being the hectic-trying-to-fit-it-all-in kind of person in my previous, usual, everyday life and past, shorter travels. You can see it with these long, coma ridden sentences too, don't you? I can just hope to incorporate and have this 'take it easy' attitude forever. Latin American people are the best teachers in this discipline, ahaha.

When I travel, firstly, I like to have fun and meet locals or other travelers and have meaningful, passionate discussions on whatever topic you have or is on my mind. I'm always curios to learn from new people, their experiences, successes and mistakes, hearing it firsthand. There are some real characters out there and you cannot meet them laying on a sofa at home.
What actually ends up happening is I meet somebody in a hostel, on a street, in a pub, just wherever or with this app, and we hangout and do a lot of activities, sometimes even travel together for a couple of days (hey, many-many people). But sometimes weeks and even months (kudos to Marco, Sasha, Julian, Daniela, Soleii, Gwendal, Katka, Roman, Caroline, Renan, Lisa, Vide, Cesar and many others!), friends away from home, and most likely for life. And for me this is THE journey. On the other hand, I do love to share a sport like badminton, ride a bike, kayak, hike, ski, swim, trail run, mountaineering, bouldering, yoga, you name it or just beach bumming. But playing pool, ping pong, board, card or even console games with beers, wine or stronger in the evenings are often the actual pastimes). The whole culture of dancing in latin america is so refreshing compared to the rest of the world, I like the whole dancing to the music idea at the parties, not just getting hammered. Sometimes getting melancholic as I miss my hometown friends and family a lot, but not staying like that for long (meeting you folks is a remedy).

Reach out through private messages here (glitchy in my experience), but better yet:
Via facebook:
http://fb.com/anton.loboda
my local number will be different as I'm buying local sim cards, but keep my account).
Cheers

Perché sono iscritto su Couchsurfing

To meet locals and other travelers who love where they are and what they do. What you'd call a cultural exchange. Share sports, food, drinks, make friends from around the world. I'm okay to meet if you're sad, depressed or quir, too! But not if you're an angry sarcastic asshole, amirite? Be it cycling, morning run, hike or a stroll around with a host, or other people it's always a highlight for me. My home is the world, and my religion is to do good (c).

Couchsurfing experience:
I have mainly hosted people that I have met during my travels personally without this service, and stayed with people who I have met personally before coming to their apartment. It's been truly great.
In 2016 started using "hangouts" on a phone app during a trip in South America and I'm hooked - I have met so many amazing people! Thanks CS. Try it as well, if you still haven't!

Interessi

Clearly, I like to try new stuff.

• arts
• theater
• street art
• dancing
• cooking
• wine
• yoga
• news
• video games
• reading
• billiards
• bouldering
• podcasts
• live music
• cycling
• hiking
• kayaking
• adventure races
• mountaineering
• skiing
• trail running
• sports
• badminton
• teaching
• history
• psychology
• solo travel
• adventure travel
• mountain biking
• watching movies
• massage
• learning new things
• street food
• ancient history
• museums
• climbing
• stand up comedy
• steampunk
• geeky stuff
• climbing mountains

Musica, film e libri

Stand up comedians (Louis CK, Eddie Murphy).

Podcasts: Dan Carlin's Hardcore History and Common sense, Economist Radio, World next week. Geopolitics and History lectures. International and tech news junkie.

Music that I listen to the most throughout the years: Depeche mode, Crystal Castles, Doors, Joy Division, Chopin, Gorillaz, Akira Yamaoka, Rammstein, but listen to a lot of diverse stuff otherwise. Love live concerts and festivals. And occasional salsa and bachata dancer ;-P (wanna improve).

Movies, TV Shows, Musicals: Dreamers (Bertolucci), Fight club (Fincher), LOVE (Judd Apatow, Netflix, 2016), Dexter, Game of Thrones, Friends (I automatically like people who like the Friends, lol), House M.D., House of Cards.

Up until 2007 have watched tons of anime, favorites are: Evangelion, Great teacher Onizuka, Code Geass, Death Note, Kenshin, etc...^_^.

Favorite books authors: Aldous Huxley, George Orwell, Max Fry, Sapkowski, Tolkien, Rowling, Martin.
Although, Rough Guides, DK and Lonely planets are always somewhere nearby.

Favorite pc games of childhood: ultima online, deus ex, witcher, elder scrolls, gothic, hitman, assassins creed, mirrors edge, fallout, warcarft and dozens of others.
Playstation: Metal gear solid series (Snaaaakeeee!), Dark Souls, the Last of US, Heavy rain, etc.

Una cosa incredibile che ho fatto

Volunteered in the hospital for one year with wounded veterans 24/7. Summited a couple of over 6000 meters peaks. Trekked the amazon in a couple of countries. 52 km night mountain marathon. That I'm still alive and have continued my trip after being violently beaten up and mugged by three indigenous scums in Antigua, Guatemala is also quite a feat.

Insegna, impara, condividi

I can only hope to have enough skills, and can try to teach Ukrainian, English, Russian or how to play badminton, pool, ride a bicycle, rollers, car, motorcycle, ski, kayak, fix a computer, do a massage, how to swim, whatever I know. Supposedly, I can cook a good steak and some other dishes, but no guarantee here.
I'd like to learn about the inner sides of a country, speak about politics, volunteer together on some project, taste local stuff, go out, practice languages. Share evenings with wine and cheese or whatever the local specialty is. The love for traveling and people. Definitely can give advice on places that I've traveled to or lived in. More importantly can hook you up with some amazing people in these places.

Cosa posso offrire ai padroni di casa

Humbly, my skills and knowledge in computers, gaming, history, geopolitics, traveling advice, cooking, but most importantly my wit and humor).
Feeling very geeky about hiking gear. Supposedly more knowledgeable than your typical Joe in fixing Macs and Windowses and tech stuff in general, which I enjoy doing. Here's a guy with like 70+ kilos of weight, so can move or lift heavy stuff. I like joking, and keeping it fun. I prefer to keep it clean, and can be quite if need be. Can meet your parents :-D. Cooking, walk a dog, or looking after your parrot, you name it. Have plenty of experience in doing massages, so get a coconut oil if you're in. As a result of traveling for quite a bit - I know some amazing people all over the world, and can hook you up with them if need be.

Paesi che ho visitato

Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Myanmar, Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Paesi in cui ho vissuto

Argentina, France, Indonesia, Russian Federation, Ukraine, United States