I don’t feel like there is something unusual about my life. I live a simple (many might say austere) life. I was born in Uzhgorod, grew up here and hope to stay here because it’s a nice town. Studied at school and hung around the neighborhood as a kid. Then the university – Department of Economics. At some point it became clear to me that the knowledge I gained was useless and absolutely inapplicable. Thus, I simply went with the flow with my studies not planning to persuade this field in the future. I make a living doing interpreting/translation work and teaching English. I'm also involved in some volunteering projects of Uzhgorod-Corvallis Sister-Cities Association. I highly appreciate free time I have. I spend it in various outdoor activities (backpacking, hiking, or just walking in the mountains). I run a lot and swimming is my great passion. Although I quit swimming in the pools (I only do it in winter months once a week), I swim every day in the open water from late May to late September. Sure thing I enjoy traveling to new places and coming across great people! And the last but not least – I don’t use social networks, don't watch TV, don't smoke or drink alcohol.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've heard a lot about this community from my friends who used it successfully while traveling around the world. I also had moments when I really needed assistance being abroad and people were eager to help me.
I believe Couchsurfing will allow me to meet more interesting people who share interests similar to mines. I'd love to learn more about other cultures and places in this way as well as support and help people who come to my country.

Interests

I try to combine physical activities with educational development. I've been swimming since I was a child. And I do continue to swim these days. Running relatively long distances is another everyday interest. We got mountains in the area where I live and I’m thankful to certain people who got me into backpacking years ago. I’ve traveled to many music festivals to dig the bands I grew up with. I love LIVE performances! Therefore my trips abroad are linked either to nature attractions or musical events. I don’t like cities - big ones in particular. I’m quite dormant during the winter. The rest of free time I dedicate to reading some good books and working on my English. Also, I'm a big fan of cycling (road races); have been watching it for more than 15 years. However, I only ride my bicycle around the town instead of public transportation.
There must be something else but it hasn't come to my mind yet.

• books
• music festivals
• running
• music
• cycling
• backpacking
• swimming
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

If briefly: LIVE performance/concert; movies filmed in a previous century by the directors most people have no idea about; paperback books.

Music is my sanctury. LIVE performances of the bands I grew up with are the biggest joy. I've been to numerous concerts for the last 6-7 years, sometimes traveling hundreds of kilometers to the festivals with especially attractive line-ups. It's always very special feeling standing next to the stage where Massive Attack or Gogol Bordello, Nick Cave or The Roots, Portishead or Public Enemy, Chemical Brothers or Bjork, Justice or Thome York, Korn or Peter Brotzmann, The Prodigy or Franz Ferdinand or any other of the bands I've seen are performing. i do really regret I haven't seen Rage Against The machine and Beastie Boys LIVE acts :(

During my university studies I was kinda hooked up to the weirdest, craziest, strangest movies ever! I watched tons of filmographies of the bizarre directors from around the world. So, if you are looking for someone to discuss Bertolucci, Tarr, Jarmusch, Hodorovski, Bergman, Bunuel, Tarkovkovsky or any other crazy cat - don't hesitate and come along! But probably because of sort of overdose, I rarely watch movies nowadays.

Instead, I try to read a lot. I read much in English, I love American literature of the 30s and 50-80s of the XX century. I'm a big fan of Kafka. I truly adore Cormac McCarthy's peregrinations in "The Crossing" and Kerouac' s fabulous style. I can enjoy short enigmatic and weirdly funny stories by Edgar Poe as well as convoluted high-eternity Proust or outdoor frenzy by Krakauer. But without a doubt Truman Capote is the greatest author of all times! I only hope I haven't read my fav book yet :)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hiked around the Mont Blanc massif, Alta via Dolimiti 1 & 4, and Parco dell'Adamello in 1 20-day trip.
Scored 111 on TOEFL.

Teach, Learn, Share

Well, as far as I'm an English teacher & Interpreter we definitely can practice some English :)
In summer time, I swim long distances on the lake, so I can teach you some basics in swimming. (I used to swim for the high-school and university teams)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I sure can share all I know about my country and area if the host is interested. Also I can share some of my scarce experience in travels. And if I happen to have some delicacies I'll share them too!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ukraine