I like to think of myself as a kind, energetic person. I created this account 7 years ago! And it's fun seeing how I've changed. I have had more professional and business experience since my vagabond days and I learned to adapt, I can be quite introverted, submissive if the group dynamic suits. However most of the time I'm a caffeine propelled extravert. I love meeting new people. Hate staying in hotels, but also hate being a free-rider. I'm so excited to be exploring again after so many years. Would love to meet fellow c-surfers in Dubai. I'm planning to move here soon, I think CS is a great way of making friends.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have refused scholarships upon graduation and engaged in volunteering in my home city instead. We've opened a non-profit shop and have organized some fundraising events.
Travelling for me is a form of education I chose instead of going right away to College.
I hitchhiked across Kazakhstan and Russia to Caucasus, lived in a tent mostly, played recorder in the streets, met a ton of strangers who are not on couchsurfing (Hitched around 8000-10,000 km).

Interests

I've learned sport massage for traumas, I do enjoy massage on both ends, giving and receiving, although as I grow older, it's becoming apparent that it is a weird thing to mention. But with my friends a good massage is like a good hug.

learning to play different instruments on public - guitar, recorder and ukulele.

Handwriting letters and sending to far away places.

Vertical farming, sustainable farming, everything around agriculture, food chains.

Enjoy a lot beautiful and elegant design, ad or a package.

Social impact, social entrepreneurship, interesting and effective ways of helping people

• arts
• design
• education
• vegetarian
• yoga
• meditation
• shopping
• traveling
• guitar
• atheism
• boxing
• teaching
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: classical music, especially Chopin and Tchaikovsky.
Beatles, Tim McMorris, Peter Paul and Mary, One Republic and Imagine Dragons, Jon Dassin (Oohhh Champs Elyssee!)
Those I can sort somehow into categories,
otherwise, show me a song and I will probably like it.
Though I like old songs somehow more and don't get pop and dance music unless for... dancing.

Movies: Walter Mitty, Amelie.
I loved Jackie Chan as a kid.
Disney and Pixar cartoons are always on my list.
Lord of the rings, Kingdom of Heaven, I am fantasy and history junkie,
the same goes for the books.
I take a pleasure watching documentaries and debates, iq2 are some of my favorites, Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins.

Took a challenge to read the Brodsky list. I did my BA thesis on Brodsky's poetry.

I read many practical psychology/success books. Dale Carnegie I revere the most.
Adore Exupery's Le petite prince and Anna Gavalda's "35 kilos of hope"

There is one book with history: The kindness of strangers.
Jolene was standing in 7eleven near waikiki beach she had a backpack that seemed to overweight her causing to fall back. I immediately asked her if she was a backpacker, a magical word for me then, and she was my first backpacker friend. I offered her to stay with us in our hotel room for 3 days, we hung out together and had a great time, she have given me a book, the most inspiring one I've ever had and this book planted a seed of desire to travel. I would recommend this book to anyone who is using couchsurfing.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've traveled across the USA from Washington to Washington D.C. to be on a conference. Sold papers where I wrote people's names in Russian and Kazakh to save for a ticket. Got on a train to Portland with homosexual boy-scout leader,
met two bacpackers from Canada (who inspired me to do this) on the way to the airport. Gave presentations at the Union station. Then almost missed a plane in Chicago, found myself without a host in D.C. Spent night in the Mariott hotel's bathroom. Haven't slept nor eaten for 72 hours straight and after all fell asleep in the lobby 2 hours before conference. Next I was awakened by the CEO and the main speaker himself, who introduced me to all awesome entrepreneurs and made my day.

Teach, Learn, Share

Massage, ukulele, recorder.

Oh, I can teach you speedreading and relaxation (meditation).

Well and pretty much anything that's on "my interest" box.

I'd love to learn something really special and weird or some art or craft, that you really enjoy, my Guru says there is no such pleasure as watching master do his work.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Up to Kazakh vegetarian cuisine? (which is itself a contradictory statement)

Stories.

Meditation, I'd love to take you out on my treat. Or order some food for us.
Or take some expenses.

Countries I’ve Visited

Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan

Countries I’ve Lived In

Kazakhstan, United States