CURRENT MISSION

Multi-lingual, multi-ethnic, globetrotter currently located East Coast US.

ABOUT ME

I am the epitome of the melting pot that is America; of Russian/Sudanese roots; born in Russia, raised in Sudan, educated in the States; lived in Malawi, Uzbekistan, Thailand, and Egypt.

PHILOSOPHY

Every moment is a wonderous moment. The deer eating my lilly the day before it would have bloomed, cycling from Taba to Sharm el-Sheik on the Sinai over a two day period, picking mushrooms in VA Russian style, eating molokhiya with rice, watching my daughter's cat catch insects in flight and munching on them, ... enjoy every moment of it, live and let live!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Joined CS in Spring 2013.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Hosted and surfed summer 2013. I enjoyed both surfing and hosting. My surfing was a super experience and will help me be an even better host in the future.

Interests

Super enjoy dancing - salsa, bachata, merengue, and trying to learn Argentine Tango. Love cycling, hiking, traveling, reading, the outdoors in all shapes and forms, music (give me a voice with presence and a song that's worth listening to its every single word - like Vladimir Vysotsky's, Leonard Cohen's, Kazym Al-Saher's, ...) ..... and I float in utmost sublimeness ....

• cats
• insects
• beauty
• dancing
• tango
• bachata
• reading
• traveling
• music
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• surfing
• history
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Films: Midnight Run, Imeniny - Nashy prazdniki, Triplets of Belleville, Princess Bride, Hope Floats, Russian TV Series: Masha v Zakone ...
Music: Anything by Vladimir Vysotsky, Leonard Cohen, Kazim Al-Saher, Bachata/Salsa tunes, Tango tunes, Carmina Burana, ...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Cycling about 150 miles on the Sinai from Taba to Sharm El-Sheikh over a two day period. Given the Sinai's history, surrounded by the austere beauty of the desert, I prayed for wisdom and the ability to make good judgements at the intersection of my life's crossroads as I cycled amongst God's mountains. The rides coupled with the austerity and serenity of the desert, wadi's, and mountains are unforgettable both for the physical challenges and for the company of cyclists I was with !!

Hiking up Old Rag Mountain in VA and overcoming my fear of heights (with great support from my hiking buddies) was a great accomplishment for me that I'm grateful for.

Teach, Learn, Share

Even the toughest and most sad situation can possibly have a positive outcome, we just need to open ourselves to it and give it a chance.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Egypt, Malawi, Russian Federation, Sudan, Sweden, Thailand, Uzbekistan

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