Welcome, friend!

So, a little about myself...

I'm originally from Milan, though my mum's side of the family is from Ufa, in Russia. They're both amazing places, so if we meet, dear friend, I'll tell you all about them.

I grew up between Italy and Russia, until, halfway through high school, I got the opportunity to spend a year abroad as an exchange student. I managed to submit the application three hours before the deadline, and, five months later, I'm on a steam train slowly winding my way up the misty Nilgiri mountains in south India.

If when I left I wasn't sure about staying in Italy for uni, when I came back from India I had dropped the option altogether. So, after finishing my last exams in Milan, I applied to the UK, and here I am sipping cream tea in a cozy room in London :)

And in all the roaming around the globe I've done, two things did I realise for myself. First of all, I enjoy the roaming around. A lot. And, second, that you never know whether the person you've just met can become your best friend a few years down the line.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I like this way of traveling, and even more that the people here are a vibrant and lively community. I've met some awesome people through here, and I try chip in my own two cents. I enjoy being a pro bono tour guide in London when it takes my fancy. Also, I love listening to stories, and Couchsurfers' usually are really interesting ones. Look forward to listen to yours :)

Interests

I'm chronically curious, so I enjoy talking about pretty much anything and everything. A few constants in my life have been traveling (duh), music, and philosophy. Sports-wise, I've done a bit of everything, now rowing is my latest fancy :)

Music, Movies, and Books

I could go on about my favourite music forever. I've spent the last seven years building a record collection that I'm quite proud of. In a nutshell, I mostly listen to contemporary indie, pop and EDM, opera, and '80s-'70s rock. Guilty pleasures include ABBA and some old school thrash metal :)

As for the films, Bergman, Nolan, Wachowskis, and Leone, if I had to shortlist my favourite directors.

In literature it's also quite complex to say, but if I had to pick one book, it would be "Brave new World", although "The Diamond Age" by Neal Stephenson is another excellent candidate. Bulgakov's "Master and Margarita" is also a favourite. The literature section's guilty pleasures are Cold War era spy novels (from both sides of the Wall)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Busked as a harmonica player in London, without actually knowing how to play the harmonica. At the end I had a little north of five quid and newly acquired harmonica skills.

Teach, Learn, Share

Anything I can, I'll be glad to ;)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Well, I could teach you Russian, Italian, or English if that's the case. I also make a mean pasta (once an Italian, always an Italian, hehe). Of course, I can always share a laugh and a story or two.

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Austria, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ireland, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, Italy, Russian Federation