Hello folks!

I'm an anthropologist and filmmaker living between Canada and Germany.

I was born in the former Soviet Union in 1984. When I was ten years old, my family relocated to France and then to Canada, where I grew up.

Apparently, I really like learning, because I spent about 20 years in university. I have degrees in music, philosophy and anthropology. I also trained as a filmmaker and artist, but these were extra-curricular activities. During my PhD, I "had to" travel between Moscow, Paris, Berlin, and New York. I fell in love with Berlin and have decided to stay here... and that was... three years ago!

I used to couchsurf in the good ol' days, but at some point, forgot my password and had to start my profile from scratch. But that was already some... 9 years ago!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It's the people that make a place. It's fun to meet with people when you arrive to a new city, and I'm always grateful for people's hospitality.

Interests

Some of my odd interests: I finished the Royal Conservatory of Music on recorder; I used to host a radio show dedicated to experimental music called 4'33; I ran a knitting club in university called "Commuknit." The present-day-me is flabbergasted by how nerdy this triad of interests appears.

Now I'm committed to my research in media arts and anthropology. I spend a lot of time walking around cities. I used to do it with a 16mm film camera, and an old Soviet suitcase. Now I do it with a sketchbook and watercolours.

• books
• walking
• movies
• traveling
• music
• cycling
• skiing
• anthropology

Music, Movies, and Books

I have many favourites. Perhaps representative choices of music, movies and books may be:

Music: Ivor Cutler; Nick Cave
Movies: Tarkovsky's "Offret"
Books: W.G. Sebald "The Emigrants"; Kurt Vonnegut's "Cat's Cradle"

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I broke a lot of bones while skiing in Colorado (and came out of it alive!); then, got a private air jet to transport me back to Canada, the land of free medical healthcare. I am part bionic.

Teach, Learn, Share

All of the above.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Good conversation, hopefully. I don't treat CouchSurfing like a hotel. I try to be humble and respectful of people's space, needs, time.

One thing I may be able to offer is to paint you a watercolour. I can also make a mean ginger and squash soup. My partner and I like to travel together, and when we do, we make lovely dinners happen.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Mongolia, Netherlands, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Canada, Ecuador, France, Germany, Russian Federation