CURRENT MISSION

A well-lived life

We want to find people who transcend bias and stereotypes, who want to at least try to see differently. Because this is who we want to be as well.We want to push beyond the limits of who we are to who we want to be. Sometimes anyway. Sometimes it's nice to be comfortable and satisfied for a little while, until you're not.

ABOUT ME

We're independent, sometimes solitary, willing to change our opinions, direction and location. My husband, Zoryan, is serious about relaxing with a good beer and a better conversation. We believe in always offering sincere compliments, even - especially - to strangers. It can change a person's day and be passed on quicker than any currency. We're not stingy about giving thanks or opening our doors.

We're sometimes poor tourists unless someone shows up to motivate us. If you have a desire, we'll be happy to accompany you if we're free. We both prefer wandering to guided tours.

I speak English (exp)and Russian (int), and understand Ukrainian (int). Zoryan speaks Ukrainian (exp), Polish (int), Italian (int), Czech (beg), and Russian (exp).

PHILOSOPHY

"You must always keep in mind that a path is only a path. Each path is only one of a million paths. If you feel that you must now follow it, you need not stay with it under any circumstances. Any path is only a path. There is no affront to yourself or others in dropping a path if that is what your heart tells you to do. But your decision to keep on a path or to leave it must be free of fear and ambition. I caution you: look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself and yourself alone this one question. Does this path have a heart? All paths are the same. They lead nowhere. They are paths going through the brush or into the brush or under the brush of the Universe. The only question is: Does this path have a heart? If it does, then it is a good path. If it doesn't, then it is of no use.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I believe in the philosophy of CS so much that we actively promote it as if we're getting paid. For me, a place is always the people. A place is nothing without people. And CS has the kind of people that make a place somewhere you want to go.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

When I traveled up the US East Coast, I mainly stayed with friends along the way. I asked them to take me to the places that made the city their city. I set two rules for myself:

1) never eat at chain restaurants
2) on a whim, stop wherever I want

My friends find it fun to try to keep these rules. It was wonderful to see them rediscovering quirky places that they'd forgotten about.

All my experiences surfing through Couchsurfing have been extremely positive and usually lead to staying in contact with or following the travels of new friends.

Interests

Both Zoryan and I like to be intellectually stimulated, or just be around people having a good, honest time. We like to make people laugh or smile, to make them feel truly appreciated and validated. Also, it never hurts to love (European) football and the people who love it.

• environment
• coffee
• drinking
• surfing
• history
• tourism
• tours
• football

Music, Movies, and Books

Zoryan loves music (most of his friends are professional musicians) from rock to opera. He's a moviephile, especially criminal and thrillers but also loves music-themed talent television shows. When I was a better reader, I enjoyed world classics and selected modern literature, Camus, Tom Stoppard, and Sartre, Pelevin, Solzhenitsyn, Dostoevsky, and nameless others. Graham Greene is like a moody uncle and Steinbeck - the homespun story teller. Whoever knew solitude could last a 100 years knows what she's talking about. Music - We both love live blues, indie, rock, and jazz. Ukrainian bands rule. And of course American rock. Movies - truly appreciate unusual, non-English language and independent films as well as blockbusters and traditional directors.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

- Almost delivering a baby

Teach, Learn, Share

- In Kyiv, just about everyone likes to help a foreigner if you smile and respect the way things are. People generally guide you even when you think no one's paying attention. You'll find it is a safe city to walk around late at night. Expect to be fed. Don't start drinking if you can't keep up for several hours. *Just because many people don't smile, doesn't mean they're not nice people.*

- Lviv is Ukraine's European city (unlike many people, I think it's better than Krakow). It's the home of the man who opened Vienna's first coffee house, so you can expect to taste the best coffee in Ukraine here. Check out Svit Kavy and anywhere else that sells the brew.

- In Seattle, people are a bit standoffish, but very polite. The environment and pedestrians command the highest respect. Expect injustice to be challenged. Seattlites are quite respectful of diversity and love to highlight different cultures.

- Olympia (WA, USA) in many ways is like a hippie commune. There's so much volunteerism, freeganism, and copacetic living. If you're there in April-May, catch the Parade of the Species and the multiple artwalks.

- South Carolina is a step back in time to conservatism, the Civil War (still alive), and classism. Yet you'll find more hospitality than you can swallow along with ample fried foods and sweet iced tea. Charleston is colorful and full of history, and Hilton Head is where you might meet a former president.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Italy, Ukraine, United States

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