I'm truly in love with history and traveling, and always trying to look wider, asking the questions like: "what's the story behind it?"

Professionally a PhD in history, museum manager and guide, I work in the Sybir Memorial Museum, Białystok.

Through generations my family lived in Białystok, thus I decided to stay here as well. But this doesn't mean I got stuck at the end of the world - there's also a traveler and discoverer inside me. So, hosting people in Białystok and traveling around the world is the way to stay close to my beautiful birthplace city and experience the world.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

My idea of travel and life is to keep balance, or at least try doing it. I love to go out, meet new people, see new places. But simultaneously, I try to understand my roots, know my birthplace's nature and people. In this two ways I'm looking for improvement, both personal and social.

I love encouraging people to come to Białystok, which is a quiet and almost unknown destination with lots of things to offer.

Of course I'm also traveling, so going anywhere and meeting people, who are "insiders", is for me the best opportunity to learn about the region I stay in.

Interests

- hiking
- wild camping
- history of european countries and regions
- World War II
- writing
- survival techniques
- guitar
- historical reenactment
- sports (swimming, football, volleyball)

• writing
• survival
• guitar
• hiking
• sports
• soccer
• volleyball
• swimming
• history
• mountains
• storytelling

Music, Movies, and Books

I love music, not narrowing to a specific genre. My first favourite song (as a 5 yo kid) was Led Zeppelin's No Quarter (seriously:) ). I'm much into good'n'old heavy metal as well as a variety of rock genres. But I also love good electronic music. On the playlist Iron Maiden is next to Justice or Die Antwoord.

My favourite movie is definitely the Star Wars Saga (I'm a bit of a geeky with it). I like war movies, especially good old ones, with the first place to "A bridge too far". The movie, that left a biggest impression on me, was Sorrentino's "La grande bellezza".

In the book topic, I love good thrillers and crime stories (Polish and Scandinavian), some fantasy stuff (The Witcher books, Neil Gaiman, Maja Kossakowska), as well as good adventure books.

To get out of the box - I also love board games and card driven games, especially Magic the Gathering, Talisman and huge tabletop wargames.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

A successful two week expedition to Kazakhstan, to find anything about my fiance's lost great-grandfather.

Not only was it succesful as we'd found his grave and met people who remember him, but provided some extra adventures like wild camping in a forgotten nature park in the middle of nowhere or getting stuck in the flooded steppe, rescued by Kazakh family.

This experiences defined me somehow, as I do not feel obligated to join the run for "the highest/longest/deepest/best journey in the world". I'd prefer find something true for myself and inspire people to keep looking for their own paths.

Teach, Learn, Share

As I'm a historian, I can present and explain You the complexity of Polish history with ease and show the most important places across the whole country and region. I'm also a touristic guide, thus bring me Your touristic inquiries and problems, and I will do my best to help You.

I can teach You Polish basics or help with improving Your English. As well as teaching basics of guitar playing. For more hardcore needs - I can also teach some survival skills.

I'd love to learn the history of Your countries and regions, as well as basics of Your language. Long talks about family stories or travelling adventures are also welcome. You are also welcomed to present some music and movies from Your country :)

What I Can Share with Hosts

- Parties in the wilderness, with bonfires and guitar, survival skills.
- A great piece of history, not only Polish or Central-European. I love to talk about it.
- Advice about what to see in the region and in Poland generally.
- I am open to any requests, so just feel free to ask.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Poland