Hi there, nice to meet you! Hope we’ll be friends.

I’m a photographer and write a blog about my travels: https://www.martreya.com
I am also an avid runner, fan of bouldering, member of a debate club, horse rider, animal lover, and history books addict.
I don’t have a permanent job, though I worked for 10 years as a graphic and UX designer — after studying for totally different profession for 6 terrible years.

I live with my husband Ivan: https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/veselov
And fat angry cat Simon: https://www.facebook.com/Simonthekingofarmchair

I grew up in Eastern Ukraine, moved to Kyiv to study math, and lived there for 12 years with one year break for St Petersburg. My husband and I met in the first years of university and live together since.
I’m a shy person, but I like people, and they find me friendly somehow (magic, I know).
I have a slight problem remembering faces and names, though the situation has improved over the last few years.
I have a vast spectrum of interests, and I like to learn new stuff, especially in the good company.
I stand for egalitarian society, though I acknowledge it is very hard to achieve after a long history of oppression.
I like discussing philosophy and politics, and brooding over human behaviour. It doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m a bore, though :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Because of our hitchhiking background, Ivan and I started to host people a long time before knowing this website. You know, all these friends of the friends of your friends, which you've never seen before, suddenly are knocking at your door because your address was found in someone's notebook :) It was fun, but I find Couchsurfing much more comfortable. It gives more flexibility and choice. And, as in old times, lots of people we know through hospitality are now our dear friends.

Interests

I love sports, but I am very risk averse, so I’m not particularly good in anything. You can see me hiking, running, cycling, horse riding, bouldering, swimming, playing tennis, or roller skating (but not everything at once). I don’t like skiing and winter overall, but I can tolerate it for a chance to go to mountains.
I’m a member of Debaters Club, but every time I try to debate, it grows into arguing, so I’m not there yet :)
I am vegan, and my husband is vegetarian, but we both are flexible and never will turn down a dish offered by a caring host. I can’t say that I like cooking, but I am quite a good cook since I do it every day.

• cats
• arts
• design
• graphic design
• photography
• education
• running
• walking
• drinking
• board games
• reading
• traveling
• blogging
• drawing
• bouldering
• music
• metal music
• opera
• cycling
• hiking
• tennis
• philosophy
• psychology
• mountains
• trekking
• people
• reading books
• feminism
• sharing
• sharing economy
• travel blogging
• environmentalism
• rollerskating
• horseriding
• human behavior
• peoplewatching
• behavioral economics
• boulder
• libertarian paternalism
• verbal communication

Music, Movies, and Books

I am huge fan of books and consume several at a time, non-fiction and fiction alike, two on different devices, one in audio, and some on paper. No wonder I can’t remember what I’ve just read.
Sometimes my husband and I go to a hipster cinema to watch an old movie, but other than that we rarely watch anything except maybe online courses.
We both grew up as a funny mixture of hippies and metalheads. I still enjoy listening to the Doors or Burzum, but the playlist became much more diverse since, including jazz, classical music, and traditional music from different countries.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The best experience is the one I’ve never had before, and the best trip is the next to come.

Nevertheless, they build some memories to cherish:
Brushing teeth in front of a Petra cave with the view of a red sun rising over the historic stones of the world wonder.
Hugging a sweaty steamy neck of a horse after a good long canter up the Wimbledon hill.
Waiting for Annapurna peak to show between the clouds on sunset, freezing in the chill Himalayan evening, thinking only of momo and ginger tea.
Talking to a large Rohingya family in their tiny crowded wooden house, being invited over for a cup of tea.
Riding a rickshaw through busting Amritsar city, feeling a warm breeze through my hair, smiling to everyone and no one in particular.
Inebriated with cheap wine, shivering with winter cold, feeling overwhelming love to the world while singing punk songs near a fire in a Crimean cave on New Year eve.
Suddenly realising than what I see from the top of Rinjani is not a cloud in the sky, but an island in the sea.
Sinking into the comfy sofa, with my feet buzzing after a twenty kilometres run.
Waking up to a fresh snow on the green pastures of summer Dolomites.

Teach, Learn, Share

I like learning, but it takes time to change my mind on some topics. I have deep, though messed knowledge about human behaviour, photography and drawing and will be glad to share some tips with you.

I enjoy taking pictures of people, so if you would like to change your profile picture on facebook, ask me, I'll be glad to help you!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Obviously, being a guest all I am able share is my time and experience. It could be applied to making a good portrait photo, teaching basic drawing skills, cooking a dinner, or just chatting over a cup of tea. Whatever you prefer.
If you want me to bring something particular from London, don’t hesitate to ask.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, Palestine, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation, Ukraine, United Kingdom

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