IMPORTANT: WE HAVE A NEW BORN BABY.
Just so that you know :)

We used to host anyone with no exception to help young travelers like us to save money but now I'm only answering and hosting people whose profile I like.
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We live on the edge of Berlin: check Müggelheim on the maps. You need 1,5 hours to get here from the city centre!
It's a great area to enjoy nature, there are lakes, rivers and forests. You can still reach Berlin with public transportation/bicycle conveniently. We can borrow two city city bicycles to our guests.
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Hi , welcome to my profile!
My name is Maria,
I'm mostly travelling with my husband.
I'm Ukrainian, my husband is German..
We met in Turkey in 2020.
Here is his page:
https://couchsurfing.page.link/bnuCS6b3EDkVKT4t8

For the last 4 years we have been living in Germany. After finishing our education we spend 6 months in Ukraine. We are currently back to Germany to continue studying and working.
We just moved to Berlin.

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I'm actively organising events to spread awareness about the situation in Ukraine and fundraising money for Ukrainian NGOs (medical, defence, rebuilding, community support).
If you want to learn more about how to support Ukrainians - you found the right person.
Private donations and political support are very important for Ukraine and the whole of humanity.
For example you can donate right now to my friend Steven's NGO "Medicines for Ukraine"
https://share.google/frQvuZLgRCPx5bbdr

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I love the idea of Couchsurfing, for me it means opening your home and mind and making the world better.
My home is open to new ideas and bright individuals.
I like to share thoughts and exchange ideas.

Goals in life: learn, teach, be useful. Be brave and strong. Leave the world better for future generations. Experience things. Not waste my life.

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Things I´d like to discuss with my hosts and guests:

1) POLITICS
- Politics are crucial. There is nothing to be proud of saying you hate politics or it's boring. It only means you are too lazy to analyze things and take responsibility.
- I am ready to hear any opinion. Better to have a wierd one then none at all. Just take a courage. Let's listen to each other carefully.
- It is simply stupid to ignore politics if bombs are flying over your home. Your home can be next.
- My country has been abused by russia for centuries. I want you to hear the story behind Ukraine's fight for freedom. Try to understand us.
- I have spent the past 6 months in Kyiv and survived hundreds of air attacks and dozens of sleepless nights. It made my wish not to waste my life even stronger and to be an active citizen and maybe one day even a politician.

- Dear pacifists, I wish we could all just not produce any weapons and leave in peace forever. But if an oppressor comes into your territory and dictates what to do it is simply not reasonable to obey. Soviet union was not good for Ukraine and many other republics. We have a right do decide our own future.
If your country deserves to be independent and make your own decisions, why doesn't mine? Are your human rights more important that those of Ukrainians?
Watch about the history of Ukraine on YouTube, read articles to understand better. Or ask me.
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- I want to know more about the situation of Palestine. I believe Palestinians are being treated unfairly and current situation in Gaza is an artificially made genocide. It's not my country and I've never been there so I would value it a lot if you can tell me more.
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- African countries are poor because of colonialism. We need to listen more to their needs and stop pretending only the Western world matters. Will be happy to travel in all kinds of countries of this amazing continent in the future.
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- I want to hear about your countries. Anything you would like to share. I want to understand.
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- My husband and I oftentimes participate demonstrations and volunteer at an environmental NGO. Feel free to join.
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2) ENVIROMENT
- I'm about to finish my study in sustainable economics. I realised the majority of people is just too lazy to leave their comfort zone and take an action on protecting environment. Same as with politics. It's easy to say you are not responsible. ThinK about your grandchildren (if you are planning to have some. Or better not?)
- Let's share our knowledge about climate change, sustainable initiatives, technologies and experiences.
- If you are new to this, I can give you tips about how to reduce your ecological footprint and the idea about what you can do to put pressure on companies.

3) CULTURE, HISTORY, ARTS
- Our world is exciting.
It's beautiful we are so unique.
Let's learn from each other

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We appreciate small presents,
We appreciate it if guests make/bring us some traditional food from your country
(we also try to do it for our hosts when we travel)
If you are planning to stay with us:
Please don't bring alcohol, we don't drink it.
ALSO PLEASE DON'T BUY US ANY BABY TOYS OR CLOTHES, we only buy second hand or from local eco friendly, responsible producers.

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As a good Ukrainian I always cook for my guests! Let me know your food preferences, I can cook vegan, vegetarian, sometimes we eat meat and fish but not too much.
I also really really appreciate when my hosts give me a warm meal.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm sure that traveling is possible for everyone who really wants it, there is always a way.
No matter how old, rich you are and where are you from.
I don't judge people who use Couchsurfing also to safe money , but only if they are more travelers , not tourists and are sharing something with the hosts . Budget traveling is the most adventurous and romantic. I traveled 6 months around Turkey when I was 19 and to be honest I wouldn't afford it if not my amazing Turkish hosts.

Interests

• cooking
• fitness
• walking
• politics
• hiking
• business
• economics
• history
• languages
• volunteering
• sustainability
• sustainable development
• technologies
• arts and culture

Music, Movies, and Books

Favourite movies that come into my mind...

Into the wild
Captain fantastic
I am mother
Interstellar
Don't look up
The whale

Series:
Breaking bad
The last of us
GoT
Black Mirror

Books
The desert flower/ The nomad's daughter
Into the wild
Women in Berlin
The Physician

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Got married with 19 and first baby with 23.
Not common nowadays in Europe
but me and my husband are happy with our decisions!

I met my husband in a hostel while travelling and just in a few days we decided to never separate.

Teach, Learn, Share

We can go for a hike ,a walk and cook something

What I Can Share with Hosts

As I understand my staying at your place costs you money and time, It will be pleasure for me to buy you food and cook something, to help with house keeping tasks and to share some knowledge.

I highly appreciate that you let a stranger to your home without asking for anything back, it's just amazing

I will be glad to spend time with you and share my culture, for me it's a pleasure to get people closer to Ukraine

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Turkey, Ukraine