CURRENT MISSION

Be fluent in Arabic, Armenian, Yiddish and Turkish

Since long time I've been working with different NGOs in the field of youth and intercultural dialogue in the Mediterranean. I want to continue my activities in this region, but for the moment I'm somehow stuck in Europe because of my work and lack of opportunities in my beloved region. I enjoy cultural diversity of the world and try to promote it though my activities. Even if I am Polish, I feel strongly related to the Mediterranean: I like staying outside with my friends, enjoying good food, coffee, wine and simply talking. I travelled quite a lot in my life, also to countries considered as dangerous, some people think that I am crazy:), but these "uncivilised" countries were my best travelling experiences where I have been meeting the best, most generous and hospitable people. It is such a pity that often these from "civilised" countries judge that easily and believe only in images spread by media. When I travel I do not think about danger. What pushes me to travel is my curiosity. When I hear stereotypes about a particular country, it will encourage me even more to go there and get my own opinion.
I love travelling, but I do not want to visit all the countries in the world. I have my priorities - I love Arab countries, Russia, Turkey and other Turkic nations, Caucasus, Romania.
Гости из России - пожалуйста, пишите запросы на русском. Если кто-то смотрел Орла и Pешку и неправильно понял что это колчсефинг и посылает запрос типа: "я приезжаю в Брюссель, Можно ли у вас остановиться?" может поискать на Букинге. Коучсерфинг это не бесплатный ночлег. Прочитайте мой профил, напишите что вас интересно.

Interests

I love cinema, theatre, folklore, music and good food. When I travel I try to attend cultural events, I always bring some traditional music and films that allow me to better know the country I am visiting. I also try to taste all traditional dishes (more vegetarian in my case - but no worries I do not host vegetarians only), learn with locals how to cook them and take the inspirations with me back home. Food is always the best souvenir I will bring from a trip. Traditional handicrafts are also my weakness. I prefer to have one souvenir, but something really unique, made by hand by a talented person who has the passion for the tradition of the region/country.

• folklore
• architecture
• wine
• coffee
• world music
• tea
• theatre
• antropology
• ethnology
• jewish culture
• concerts and festivals
• lgbtq+
• arabic culture
• nomadic cultures
• turkic cultures

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: World music (especially Gypsy, Klezmer, classical Arab, Iranian, Turkish, Kurdish, Balkan, Portuguese, Malian, Rebetiko, Jazz.
Cinema: Czech, Russian, Palestinian, Israeli, Iranian, Turkish, Polish.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

When I ask myself that are the most amazing places I've seen 4 countries come into my mind: Yemen, Sudan, Algeria and Syria. Amazing cultures, still not destroyed by the invasion of tourists. Yemen, the whole country in an open-air museum - the heritage is so incredibly rich - the most beautiful country I've ever visited in my life. Sudan is so diverse from the ethnological point of view. Algeria - wonderful people and the best hospitality I have experienced in my life. Syria - amazing people, always smiling ready to help, reach history and remains of many civilisations.

Teach, Learn, Share

Brussels is not my favourite place in the world, I cannot say I am integrated and the mentality here is far from mine. It does not mean I am complaining. I have found my Brussels: my activities and my places. I love walking here. It is a city of contrasts and surprises, with many hidden places, that not even locals know about. Here you never know what you will see when you turn around the corner, there are beautiful old houses just beside ugly, modern buildings, hidden parks. There is multicultural atmosphere, communities from different parts from the world - I love this diversity. If you're interested to discover in such a way Brussels - write me a request. Do not contact me if you want to see la Grand Place or Manneken-Pis, eat waffles or chocolate - it really does not impress me - Brussels has much more to propose.
I do not have any particular rules/requirement, although after two traumatising experiences I would like that my guests change their socks regularly:). Please respect hygiene. I know, when we travel, it can happen we smell badly, but there is a shower at me place - so do not hesitate:).

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share stories about Belgian surrealism (I do not mean painting style, but something rather related to Belgian mentality), make you discover some of my favourite places in this city as: Turkish and Moroccan neighbourhoods and Matongé - Congolese neighbourhood, show you beautiful art nouveau and art déco buildings, show also some ugly architecture, explain what does it mean "bruxellisation".

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mauritania, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Oman, Palestine, Portugal, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Vatican City State, Western Sahara, Yemen

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Bulgaria, Egypt, France, Germany, Poland

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