Be the change that you want in the world. Everything happens in very small increments.

I highly appreciate the value of travel. The best way to learn something is to experience it yourself. Having said that, I also love reading fiction and learning from books.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Meeting people and making meaningful connections is, in my opinion, the main purpose of the human condition. Laugh with each other, share ideas, discuss cultural differences. The important thing is that you are spending time together. Couch surfing allows people to do that while traveling, or at least with people from a different background, and that is something special. In a time when fear is promoted everywhere, Couch surfing seems to be an outlet of people trying to share the love, and I'm all for that.

Interests

My main interests are reading, hiking, playing strategy games and exploring. But most of all, I like discussing life, and what it includes, with friends and new acquaintances alike. In addition I like to drink craft beer from time to time.

• literature
• architecture
• cooking
• board games
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• hiking
• history
• languages
• mountains
• craft beer

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I like many different kinds but I mainly enjoy alternative rock. Alt-J, Andrew Bird, The Avett Brothers, the Local Natives, Foals, The Strokes, Tame Impala, Bon Iver, Conor Oberst, My Morning Jacket, Modest Mouse, The Shins, M Ward, Radiohead.

Movies: Favorites are hard, but it most certainly won't be Hollywood. I usually like older movies, or entries into some film festivals such as Cannes or Sundance. Usually movies that are heavier on dialogue and meaning.

I think it is easier to name writers than books. Some of my favorites are Hemingway and Steinbeck, Kafka, Garcia Marquez, Philip Roth, John Fowles, Asimov, Bradbury and Vonnegut, Orwell, and Herman Hesse. I certainly missed some, but my bookshelf is at home in the States :(

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In 2014 I went on a 4 day, hiking trip through the Andes mountains to Macchu Picchu with my best friend. It was the most physically draining experience of my life, but an incredible time.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach:
Guitar (just the basics :D)
Some Russian phrases
Cooking a stir fry (can't say I am a great cook but I have vegetable stir fry on lock!)
The advantages of daily routines

Learn:
The basics of any instrument or language
What do you know that the average person doesn't know?
Tips with living a minimalist lifestyle
How to hitchhike (is it really so simple?)
How to get past writers' block
And of course, some local customs!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Probably the most valuable thing I can share with hosts is a deep interest in cultural traits, differences and nuances, and a love of life! I am endlessly curious, and I love to talk.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahamas, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Montenegro, Netherlands, Peru, Russian Federation, Slovakia, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation, United States