CURRENT MISSION

Self-knowledge through travelling and relations.

ABOUT ME

The thing that matters about me right now is that I love travelling. For the time being this is the feature that defines me.
Also I love reading, cycling, walking, music (both playing and listening to), meeting new interesting people who can teach me something new; discussing all sorts of things, from current political situation over the world to peculiarities of island nations. I'm dreaming about cycling in South America, moving to Scotland, promoting cycling tourism in New Zealand, going on a trip around the world, travelling to other planets or, even better, parallel universes.
I just get high if I have an oppurtunity to show people around St. Petersburg. It is the best city ever, and I'm totally freaking out that I was lucky enough to be born here)
I'd love to meet a person who could tell me everything about stars and space. And then take me to Australia to have a proper look at the southern sky)

PHILOSOPHY

Be happy whatever happens around me.
"Show must go on"
I'm really just trying to enjoy life, to be honest to myself in the first place. Not to cause anyone any harm if possible.
I also feel most comfortable in Taoist temples.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Not too much, but most of it amazing. I am a member of warmshowers community as well (https://www.warmshowers.org/users/valeria-chizhova).
I've hosted some cyclists and been hosted by others.

Interests

I would say, things that really are the biggest part of my life are music, books and travelling. Music and books have been with me since I was a small kid, and I can't think myself without them. As for travelling, I did fulfill a dream and spent 3 months travelling alone around Latin America. I am now processing this experience, but it taught me a lot, that I know.
I am also a more-or-less active cycling tourist. I had my first trip around the Netherlands and it was amazing! Then we cycled from Berlin to Narva. This year hope to make another trip, but we'll see.

• books
• education
• cooking
• walking
• reading
• traveling
• music
• cycling
• rock climbing
• swimming
• teaching
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Oh, that one is important!

Movies - British mostly (my all-the time favourites are Doctor Who, Top Gear and Sherlock, but I love a lot of cultural stuff that Britain produces). Last loved: "Hot Fuzz".
Music — anything that is good music ) Greatest love -Arstdir. Enormously love O€œlafur Arnalds, Anneke van Giersbergen, Scorpions, David Sylvian and many-many others.
Books — I read all the time, so it's useless to try and categorize something. Current favourite authors — Stephen Fry, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. I've also started to read comic books. That's new exciting experience.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I think that would be:
1) climbing Mount Doom (the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing in NZ)
2) swimming in some extremely cold "Fountain of Youth" in Crimea many-many years ago
3) cycling for a whole month in the Netherlands and Belgium - and then in Poland and the Baltic countries.
4) being born in St. Petrsburg (amazing place, everyone should see it!)
5) travelling on my own in Latin America

Teach, Learn, Share

I guess, people I would like to meet most now are those who travel a lot. But actually anyone can teach you something, don't you think?

What I Can Share with Hosts

I always like cooking for hosts, and if you don't mind I can go on for hours about the places I've been to :)
Also I got quite a good education — so I can hold a discussion on many topics. Or, if I know nothing, I am always eager to learn something new.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Belgium, Chile, China, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Argentina, England, Peru, Russian Federation