Hi! Thank you for taking an interest in my profile. My original name is Polina and I'm from Russia, but I registered as Pauline because I've lived in France for nearly 10 years. I love learning about cultures. So far I lived in 3 countries - Poland, France and Russia. I also visited Switzerland and Israel a lot, which is why I know these two countries quite well. I can speak 7 languages to varying degrees and I'm planning to learn many more. My hobbies are - reading, writing, history, travelling, science-fiction, cooking, languages, singing. I would describe myself as an agnostic buddhist, but I have respect for all religions. I have friends of many confessions - Muslim, Jewish, Orthodox Christian, Catholic, Buddhist and so on. And I think there's something good in every religion. I'm vegetarian, but I never impose my views on others. I'm an open, polite and not judgemental person.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is a great way to experience a country from "inside". There's nothing better to really feel the flavour of the country than talking to locals and seeing their way of life. The cheap cost is a bonus to that.

Interests

• writing
• cooking
• reading
• music
• geography
• history
• languages
• youtube
• travelling
• different cultures
• ping-pong
• singing.
• science-fiction
• documentaries about nature
• japanese films

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm going to mention a few favourite genres, bands, books and films, but there isn't enough space for everything. Also, it's not essential to getting along with me. Whether you have a similar taste or not, I'm sure we can learn something from each other.

Favourite music genres : afrobeat, blues, jazz, ambient music, chillhop, classical music, grime, ethnic music, techno.
Favourite bands/artists : Nujabes, Janis Joplin, Sergey Kuryokhin, Umm Kulthum, Kraftwerk, Fela Kuti, Аквариум, Oki Dub Ainu Band, David Bowie, Oozo Bazooka, Sviridov, Nina Simone, The Doors, Tame Impala, Neta Elkayam, Deep Purple, Bauhaus (and the list can go on).
Favourite books or book authors:
-"Martin Eden", by Jack London
-H.P. Lovecraft
-O.Henry
-"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep"?, Phillip K. Dick
-Terry Pratchett
-P.G. Woodhouse
-Pelevin, Bulgakov, the Strugatsky brothers, Gogol (all of them are Russian)
-"A Roadside Picnic" by the Strugatsky brothers.
-Tolkien, Zhelazny,
-"Dune", by Frank Herbert
-"Wuthering Heights", by Emily Brontë
-"My favourite Sputnik" by H. Murakami

Favourite films or film directors : Tarantino, Takeshi Kitano, the Cohen Brothers, Bird People in China, Mad Max, The Chronicles of Riddick, Chicago, Dancer in the Dark, Hair, Blade Runner, Six-String Samurai, Inception, Life is a Miracle, Lunchbox, Hot Fuzz, Scot Piligrim vs. the World

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Became friends with people from more than 70 countries.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach : languages, history, geography, the basics of playing guitar, basics of digital art, insights into gestures, manners and life in other countries, sociology

Learn: your country's history, language, literature, the unique way of seeing the world that people from your country have. However, I'm interested in a lot of things, so I wouldn't restrict my field of interest to just that.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I would love to host people, but it's not possible for me at the moment, but I might be able to host you in France or Russia (or God knows where else) in the future. I can also bring you a souvenir from France (whatever you pick) and I can cook

Also, sometimes my head can also be a fount of random facts -- I could tell you why most countries in the world don't use purple on their flags or what's the difference between a dove and a pigeon.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belarus, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Monaco, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Poland, Russian Federation