Hey there! I’m Alex, 45, originally from Russia and calling Sydney home for the past 15 years.

I work in IT, which keeps me busy with systems and tech problems—but it also gives me plenty of free time to dive into my hobbies. When I’m not at the computer you’ll usually find me with a good book—mostly sci‑fi or crime novels—reading everything from classic space operas to hard‑boiled detective stories.

Gaming is another big passion; I play on both Xbox and PC, spending most of my evenings in Destiny 2 or Overwatch 2, but I’m always up for trying something new.

I also love photography, especially street scenes and urban landscapes around Sydney. You’ll often see me with a camera exploring markets, beaches, and hidden alleys, looking for that perfect moment of light and shadow. When I’m not behind the lens, I tinker with AI projects—building small models, experimenting with generative tools, and staying up to date on the latest developments in machine learning.

I enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds, swapping stories about travel, culture, and everyday life. If you’re in Sydney and want a friendly chat over coffee, a book recommendation, a game session, or just a walk to talk photography and AI, feel free to reach out. Looking forward to connecting!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I’m on Couchsurfing because I believe the best travel experiences happen when you stay with locals, share stories, and get a glimpse of everyday life beyond guidebooks; it’s an opportunity to connect with people from around the world, exchange ideas and create memorable moments together.

Interests

• photography
• coffee
• walking
• reading

Music, Movies, and Books

My favorite reads are Scandinavian crime novels—think Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole series and Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy. On screen, I’m a huge fan of Breaking Bad, rewatching it whenever I need a dose of smart storytelling and intense drama. Music-wise I’m pretty eclectic and will listen to almost anything, though I spend a lot of my listening time on audiobooks, letting me get through novels while commuting or working on side projects.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The most amazing thing I’ve ever done was traveling to two of the world’s most extreme places: exploring the abandoned, haunting landscape around Chernobyl’s Exclusion Zone, and later trekking to Everest Base Camp. Both trips pushed my limits and gave me unforgettable perspectives on resilience and nature.

Countries I’ve Visited

India, Indonesia, Nepal, Tunisia, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Russian Federation