Hello all, Before anything, I should clarify that my name is actually Volodymyr, although most people call me Walter or Vlad as those are translations that are easier to say.

My young years were spent in Ukraine but now I study and work with dirt. I prefer the term geotechnical engineer but realistically I poke dirt with a metal stick for a living. Very Exciting.

My life is generally on fast forward as I bounce between projects living in a city that moves by the second. On the other hand I feel most as home when I am on a long hike or spending time with new friends. This is why I love to travel. Pressed by the time and cost of studying in Philadelphia, I am many times limited in where I can go. Yet, this inability is what gives me desire to climb the mountains of the world, reach the arctic poles and visit the cities of old.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Whenever I traveled before, I always resorted to partaking in friendships while on the journey and occasionally having a place to stay. So technically, I've always been couch surfing, but the old fashioned way. During my studies in Aberdeen, I was invited to a Couchsurfing event and instantly became friends with that community. I was later told about the Couchsurfing website and realized I was doing it the hard way. If the Couchsurfing community is just as wonderful everywhere as Aberdeen, I wan't to meet you all. I know that isn't realistically possible, but I'll just stick with that idea. Knowing I can have a place to rest my head and/or a new face to meat before I go anywhere is very comforting and I am looking forward to meeting many new friends, hiking buddies, guides, etc.

Interests

• architecture
• photography
• traveling
• hiking
• mountaineering
• snowboarding
• rock climbing
• archeology
• engineering
• geology
• mountains
• mountain biking
• archaeology
• snow
• biking
• ice skating
• cities
• trains
• stars
• old towns
• university
• civil engineering
• landscape photography
• arctic
• hiking in the mountains
• cold weather

Music, Movies, and Books

I don't spend much time in music, movies and books. Yet I'm always on the lookout for a good traditional tune, or captivating movie/book.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

During a hike through mountains in Canada, a friend got altitude sickness and lost most of our food and water. So I had to get fresh water from tree roots to keep them hydrated enough for a daylong hike to get to the closest road. Not to mention, I ended up face to face with a wild Grizzly bear when I was trying to find a stream.

Teach, Learn, Share

If you want to take night pictures of stars or cities, I can show you how. I can cook up some traditional Ukrainian food if you got the patients. I'd love to try your traditional foods or sweets. Likewise, I would love to learn more about the city/town you live and the language you speak. Then I can share my bucket full of stories, tips and really random facts.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A story or two or twenty. Someone to listen to your stories/adventures. A hiking buddy. A photographer. A meal (I love to cook). Engineering, Carpentry, and Management knowledge. But more importantly, a friendship.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Scotland, Ukraine, United States