CURRENT MISSION

The Art of Getting By.

ABOUT ME

Some insightful knowledge I acquired about myself through years of experience, hard pyhsical labour, self-reflection...and The Internet:

Even after watching a three-hour-performance of the Balanchin-ballet in Stanislawsky theatre (Moscow) I am still able to assemble an IKEA Billy shelf in exactly 17 minutes - which is less than their average intermission.

I don't like zucchini. I have eaten goat's brain stew, smoked jellyfish salad and marinated chicken intestines - but I can't find a single zucchini dish I like.

If I could freely choose my super power, it would be instantly understanding and speaking every language.

If this were Firefly, I would be Shepherd Book.

I love learning idioms in foreign languages, then ruthlessly translating them into English. I might drill a hole in your stomach nagging you for some in your lingo. You only understand trainstation? Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it!

After one year living and traveling in Asia there's virtually nothing I can't explain with body language.

I admire an ingeniously designed public toilet just as much as I would a piece of art. The nicest restrooms can be found at The Tate Modern in London.

I high-five people.

I think an elephant is the perfect pet, because it is easily washable and its grey colour goes with practically every outfit!

I always read the last paragraph of a book first. Think about it: Everyone can write a decent introduction, but if the last sentences of a story still got you hooked - now that's a book you want to read!

PHILOSOPHY

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
- Nelson Mandela.

"I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members."
- Groucho Marx

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Surfing and Hosting.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Some of the best experiences of my life so far happened surfing someone elses couch and inviting people over to stay at my place. Getting introduced to Couchsurfing before moving to Russia made me feel like actually going home to visit long-known friends rather than arriving in a new country as a complete stranger. Since then Couchsurfers taught me a million things: How to take life easy and how to take it serious at times, how to live with minimal amenities and still be grateful, how to leave your comfort zone, how to be humble, how to question yourself but have an answer handy when other people do, how to be the person you want to be rather than being the person people expect you to be.

Interests

Art. Literature. Photography. History. Cuisine. Black Humor. Train rides. Travel. Languages. Cinema. Spacerowanie. Coffee.

Music, Movies, and Books

BOOKS
The Master and Margarita, Elementary Parts, Love in the Times of Cholera, Life of Pi, Making History, Berlin - Moskau, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Joke, Platform, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, 99 Francs

MUSIC
Gogol Bordello, Jazzpospolita, Beatsteaks

MOVIES
If things explode and people talk in catchy one-liners, you can count me in!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've done and seen tons of amazing things - firstly because I lavishly apply the term "amazing" to a multitude of situations, secondly because I have the attitute (problem?) of rarely ever being underwhelmed by life.

Teach, Learn, Share

TEACH
I'm promoting travel in Eastern Europe, because in my opinion it is one of the most welcoming and inspiring regions in the world. I've done the Transsiberian Railway twice, hiked in the Tatra Mountains, canoed along the Masurian Lakes, indulged in midnight bathing sessions at the spas in Budapest, walked over frozen Lake Baikal and partied at Przystanek Woodstock festival. If you're willing to go the extra mile Eastern Europe is a very rewarding destination and I'd be more than happy to help you with your travelling plans.

LEARN
EVERYTHING.

SHARE
Things I shared with Couchsurfers include many beloved memories, several meals, travel experiences, a toothbrush and the occasional floor. To be continued...

What I Can Share with Hosts

Since I don't know where else to put this, I'll leave it here:

*Whether hosting or surfing, I do not use CouchSurfing as a dating website.*

This is also why I have a less than stellar response rate - because I get hit on a lot (and I stopped responding to these useless requests). I'm not vain, I know it is not because of my sparkling personality. I think most women on CouchSurfing deal with this. I also find, sadly, that the situation had improved since we have to pay for the use of CouchSurfing.

I think it's totally normal that attraction does sometimes arise, especially in a community where most people share the same views and interests. That said, it is not the reason I use this website and it should not be your reason to host me or stay with me. While I try to see the humor in odd encounters I had through CouchSurfing (guy asking me to wear women's shoes that he had lying around, guy texting me he loves me from the adjacent room, guy asking me to marry him a few hours into my arrival at his place...) in retrospect, in the moment these encounters happened they made me feel weak and vulnerable. So, if you're looking for a date first and a guest/host second than please keep looking, because neither of us will be happy with the outcome.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Samoa, San Marino, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Turkey, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Hungary, Poland, Russian Federation, United Kingdom

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