Hello! My name is Irina. I'm from Russia. I was born in the Republic of Khakassia, Siberia, but I lived all my childhood and still live on the Black Sea coast in the Krasnodar Region. This is the South of Russia, there is a warmer mild climate, lots of beautiful places and of course, the sea !!!
I really love nature, animals, especially cats! I have a cat, her name is Businka. I like walks by the sea, in the park or just along the city alleys. I'm a creative person. I take great interest in handmade, sometimes drawing and knitting. But in general, my favorite hobbies are photography and travel! I'm very happy when I'm on the road, in flight and on a trip! I am very sociable friendly.

I like to meet and get to know new people, new cities, countries, cultures, and all fun and interesting!! Of course, I like when my favorite music is always with me everywhere.

My first experience of traveling abroad is flying to Spain! Then it was something transcendent for me. Of course, when a person has never crossed the border of his country, did not come close to other cultures, did not see the historical values and beauties of other countries personally, it is so difficult to live in the same space. Let even such a huge, diverse country like Russia! I really love my country. But I also want to see the world, or at least those parts that are closest to me in spirit.
Some people do not understand me. they tell me that I could spend money on a loan to buy a house, or for expensive clothes, or open a business. Something like that. Probably, they are right in something. But it is impossible for all people on Earth to be the same with one and the same thoughts or views on life! It would be too boring!
Despite the fact that I dream of having a strong loving family, children, to have free time to go to concerts, to museums, to communicate with friends, I still dream of traveling a lot! Because I'm not a materialist. Yes, some things are very important for me in life, but more importantly - to be rich in impressions, brought from different corners of our huge multifaceted world !!!
I can say one thing - I was afraid to fly. But all fears recede when space opens before you when you set a goal. My dream after many years is to remember my trips and tell them about my grandchildren! )))

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm here because I want to know more people who also like to travel! I think this is a good way to see the world! Maybe, each of us can help something to each other to add vivid impressions to our lives) I will be glad to new acquaintances and communication!

Interests

• cats
• photography
• flamenco
• seafood
• cooking
• chocolate
• spanish food
• walking
• flowers
• music
• latin music
• swimming
• road trips
• beaches
• nature
• sea
• tapas
• new cultures
• new experiences
• spain
• new friends
• handmade
• new places
• spanish
• portugal
• learning english
• learning spanish
• red color
• david bisbal
• maluma
• tinto de verano
• pablo alboran
• nina pastori

Music, Movies, and Books

Few of my favorite films are: "Eat, Pray, Love", "Maid in Manhattan", "Holidays", "Vicky Cristina Barcelona", "The Beach" ..

I listen to Spanish music and Latin music in general very much. My favorite singer is David Bisbal, Pablo Alboran, Malu, India Martinez, Enrique Iglesias, Luis Fonsi, Nina Pastori, Sebastian Yatra, Alejandro Sanz...
I also like trance music, Armin van Buuren. From another direction in music I like Bosson.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The most extraordinary thing in my life,that i did in the start of my traveler's life is my first flight to Spain! So many emotions unreal !! So many colors, sun, music, delicacies and good people !! I thought again and again about it! 😊😊
After I visited Spain in a tour, after 3 years I have developed a very own route and went there independently. I am proud of my experience in this. I'm going to continue in the same spirit!

When I am in another country or city, I try to be closer to people. I try to understand their way of life and culture, language and habits. I'm always interested in seeing some unusual things, that are not available to a large number of tourists. But, in any case, those sights that are known to the whole world since ancient times, of course, it's also interesting to see!
Barcelona I visited 2 days in a row by metro from Santa Susana. I liked the port and the promenade! Lots of palm trees on the streets! I rode through the city on the tourist bus! It was unusual for me then! I visited the Parque Güell! This is such a beautiful place, where you could walk all day though! My impressions were indescribable!
And this time I first tried paella in the center of Barcelona! I will not say that it was extraordinary! And you can guess for yourself)
I visited short-time excursions in the cities of Figueros and Girona. The museum of Salvador Dali impressed, despite the fact that I'm not his fan. I can't not say that he is truly a brilliant artist!
In Girona, I remember the souvenir shop, where its owners have long been making all ceramic products with their own hands for sale. In one of the small shops I bought a bottle of real Spanish sangria)
In addition to the small town of Santa Susanna, where we lived for several days on my first vacation, I spent most of the day in Blanes, walking along its magnificent botanical garden of Marimurtra. It's incredibly beautiful! In this garden there are a lot of rare unique plants, flowers, singing birds are heard everywhere. From the higher points of the botanical garden, there are idyllic views of the sea!

Six months later I was in Turkey. I lived in the village of Konakli. I went to Alanya on my own, it's close. In many ways the nature of Alanya is similar to the nature of the Krasnodar Territory, where I live. So personally, these places weren't something especially for me. Of course, architecture in the traditional style stands out from the general plan.
I also like palms. And I saw a lot of them in Turkey. but there is one feature. In Turkey, they don't grow! They are imported there when they are still young, so that later they would please their kind of tourists.
I really enjoyed the tour to the ancient places of Demre and Kekova! A stunning guide and amazing views around! I saw a Roman necropolis, the ruined walls of an amphitheater. View from there to the clear blue sea! Then we visited the church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, our revered Orthodox Saint.
On the yacht we went to see the ancient city-island of Kekova! It was very interesting to know that once, many centuries ago there was a big city here, most of which once went under the water. On the shore, still visible parts of household items of people, their houses. There is very beautiful clear water and very salty because of the high concentration of salts in this place.
By excursion i visited one of the world's largest aquarium in Antalya. I really enjoyed watching the underwater world !! It's incredibly interesting and exciting! In addition, I tried the famous Turkish ice cream and sweets! As a lover of sweet, I can say that I took with me a few kilograms of Turkish delights)))

In June 2016 I decided to travel around my country! I went to the republic of Kalmykia. It's about 14 hours by bus from my city. First I lived with one of my friends and her parents. We visited together the Buddhist temple in Elista, where the largest figure of the Buddha is in Russia. Also went on a very beautiful lake Baskunchak, it is in the Astrakhan region, 4 hours from Elista. The water in the lake is very salty.
Then I went to Rostov-on-Don! I've already been there, and I love this city! I lived there for 2 days, met with my friends, strolled through the historic center, along the parks, the promenade of the river Don! With my friend we went for a drive on an evening in the Gorky Park, It was very fun)))
After that I went to Volgograd! Hero City! Like my city (Novorossiysk). In Volgograd, I lived for several days in the house of my friend and her parents. We visited the panoramic museum of Stalingrad battle, and the unique memorial complex Mamayev Kurgan! This is the historical memory of Russia! This land remembers the exploits of millions of inhabitants of our huge country who went against everything for the victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. I visited the city park of friendship between Russia and Baku (Azerbaijan), strolled on the ship along the Volga River! This is one of the main rivers of Russia!
I am also in every city where I come, I try to visit various museums, parks, botanical gardens! I like to study countries in such places!
I'll tell you, the trip was great! Very eventful and emotional! There was a lot of communication, walks, beautiful places!

After 3 years from my first flight (in 2014), I again visited Spain! I beg you, the inhabitants of other countries, do not take offense at me, but I am so much in love with Spain, that no words! I realized this the moment I was there for the first time. And all these three years before my next trip there, dreamed of it!
I myself planned the whole route of my trip. These were not random cities at all.
To begin with, I really love Spanish music and Latin musicians. One of them is David Bisbal. It was his concert made me overcome many difficult moments, and be back in Spain! I fell in love with Madrid, not only because I was there at the concert of David Bisbal!
These magnificent buildings, wide highways, well-groomed alleys! The huge beautiful Parque del Retiro with its unique landscapes could not leave me indifferent! I rode a boat on the lake in this park, admired the beautiful fountains! In Madrid, there are so many everywhere! As, however, in all the cities of Spain, where I visited. I'm not indifferent to fountains and water at all! I walked around the charming and famous places of Madrid! Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sur, Plaza Espana, Plaza de la Provincia, pretty square near the Museum of Calderón!
I was fascinated by the Sabatini Gardens and the Catedral de la Almudena! But one of the most important sights in Madrid has been and remains the Royal Palace for me! Where I still have not got it! Can you imagine ?! I was in his territory twice !! and twice I came to later hours. Unfortunately.
With Barcelona was a very interesting story! The fact is that my trip did not involve any visit to Barcelona. But since on my first trip I did not have time to see several places in this city, I tried in every possible way to make my itinerary so that I could visit it. This time, I saw again the already familiar places and streets of Barcelona! I really remember the Pueblo Español and the Plaza España! But, the place I've been in love with since the very first trip is the Plaza Cataluñya)
Last year, on a trip, I saw truly unique cities in Spain !! Such as the bright festive Seville, the mysterious Granada and the pretty beautiful Cordoba!
First, Seville pleased me the very first evening, when I arrived! I was fortunate to visit the wonderful Cathedral Cathedral de Sevilla at night! And free of charge) I was very impressed by this visit! I visited the Plaza de Armas, Seville's old bus station, Plaza de la Encarnación, the famous "mushrooms" in the center of old town! From here you can see wonderful landscapes from the observation deck! I walked in the delightful park of Maria Luisa, the beautiful Plaza Espanya! I was in love with the old unique quarter Santa Cruz, with its authenticity and Jardines de Murillo too! In Sevilla there was a lot of traffic, smiles, sun and a lot of medieval attractions! Of course, the Alcázar was one of the most important points to visit!
I saw many beautiful places in Granada! Medieval charming city! Of course, the most important treasure of Granada is the magnificent famous Algambra with its equally famous neighborhoods Sacromonte and Albaycín!
What colorful views open with the Mirador de San Nicolás!
Pleasantly surprised and extremely Cordoba! A unique place Mezquita-Catedral - something inexplicably beautiful and sublime !! Despite the fact that I was in Cordoba for one day only, I could take a walk along the promenade of the river Guadalquivir, as in Sevilla. Then i visited the Alcázar de los Rey Cristianos, where I was able to enjoy a crazy beautiful evening sunset!
On my last trip, I went to my friends in Almería!I really liked this wonderful resort town!! I went with my friends by car along the coast of the Mediterranean, were in Roquetas de Mar and Aguadulce! In the center of the Almería were walking, in the historic neighborhoods, on the square near the Cathedral de Almería!

I met some new places, new cities and people in my past trip! And because of it i'm glad and happy infinetely !
Alicante was so sunny, comfortable and cozy for me!! i felt myself at home! Big thank to my new friend for him hospitality and kindness! I saw amazing Castillo de Santa Barbara (fortress of Santa Barbara) on the top of a hill, which offers stunning views of the city, the beach and the sea!
In addition to the beautiful Explanade Boulevard in Alicante, there are many beautiful streets, and an amazing embankment and port! It is a pleasure to walk there!
Next day i went to the concert! Pablo Alboran's concert!!! It was unreal emotions and so brightly!!! I wanted to see him for a long time, and ..so..my dream was coming true!!!))) And a few days later, in the same open-air concert hall, I received extraordinary vivid impressions from the Nina Pastori's concert!
I really liked the Cathedral of Murcia! And also this wonderful Cardenal Belluga's Square, where it is located. Park Malecon, the embankment of the river Segura, the old bridge and new unusual bridge, many beautiful squares, green areas, cozy streets - all this is Murcia !! I'm in love!
I finally met in Valencia personally !!)) I dreamed of doing this a few years ago, but then I could not. And although I did not visit the Cathedral with the Holy Grail, about which everyone speaks, I saw many sights of the city! This is a beautiful port and quay! This is the Turia Gardens, the City of Sciences and Arts, i visited the main and largest square of the city - the Plaza de Ayuntamento with its stunning fountains !! From Valencia, I was able to travel to several other small towns. Such as Sueca, which is famous for its delicious chocolate brand COMES . I was in the beautiful city of Cullera, where I climbed to the top of the mountain, from where I enjoyed a wonderful view of the city and the sea! And i lived one night in small town Torrent, near Valencia!
From Valencia, I went to visit my friends in Almeria! We went with them to the maritime museum, to the beach, and together we prepared a delicious Mediterranean dinner with seafood)) And I was glad to show the children how to make ginger cookies. Of course, a day in this wonderful place is very little! But I am sure, we will definitely see you soon)
The completion of my journey was traditionally in Madrid !!! From Madrid I went to Toledo and Segovia! To say that I was very impressed, it is not to say anything at all! I really liked these two cities! These unusual narrow streets of the old medieval cities, the most wonderful Cathedrals! In the Cathedral of Segovia, I climbed the spiral staircase of the bell tower and watched the beauty from above! I walked around the beautiful places of these cities!
And in the end, literally before flying home, I managed to still see my favorite center of Madrid - the Royal Palace and Sabbatini Gardens!
I arrived at the airport half an hour before the flight registration was closed)) I could not say goodbye to my beloved Madrid! But I'll be back! Hasta la vista, mi amor!

And yes, I love the Spaniards! I love Spanish cuisine, Spanish, Spanish traditions! And yes, I will always with great warmth remember all my trips to Spain!

But also I'm going to see many other countries! I'm waiting for new impressions! and I really want to make new friends! )))
Next time i'm going to see one new country for me)) And i hope, that i can do it for sure!!!!!!!

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm learning Spanish and i need anyone to practice it together )) Twice I passed a confectioner courses. I know how to cook very tasty and nice confections. I can share it with you))) I can be your friend for communication, walking around the city, learning languages. I can help around the house, in the kitchen and also talk on different topics.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can't to welcome guests at the moment, but I will try to do everything possible to improve the conditions of their residence in the city. Maybe, in some cases, I will have the opportunity to settle a guest in my house. And i will be glad to see you in my city to walking arond the most of beautiful places in it.

Countries I’ve Visited

Spain, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation