Name: Andrey
City: Voronezh, Russia
Years on CS: 3
Hey Andrey! Why did you decide to get involved with CS?
I was planning a bicycle route throughout Russia so decided to host someone at first and, truth be told, it was an unforgettable experience
As so many are! What was your first experience on Couchsurfing like?
I hosted a family of cyclists from Colombia who cycled the world with their huge white dog Fantasma. At first I was a little afraid of sharing the apartment with totally unknown people, but it ended up with chatting all the time about Latin American festivals, traditions and bachata!
Sounds amazing! And why did you become a CS Ambassador?
I am trying to share the idea of Couchsurfing and get involved with as many people as I can because I think it is still not so many active couches (at least in the cities of Russia, outside of Moscow and St. Petersburgh). I am also trying to organize different kinds of activities from time to time to make our CS life more interesting here in the city.
Great. What was one of your most interesting experiences hosting?
I tend to think that my most unusual guests were the members of this Colombian family with a dog…
The first and most interesting! Awesome. What about surfing?
Being hosted with a mayor of the city in Magas. I was just slowly riding through the city when a group of people “caught” me to ask a few questions. They were wearing casual clothes – no ties and whatever. During our chatting I finally found out one of them is the mayor of the city! After a half an hour walk we went to a restaurant, to museum of Ingushetia then and finally he booked and paid a room in a hotel for me.
Wow! Very generous! What has been a gift you’ve received that you really appreciated?
Once I received a gas tank 250 ml which I really needed for my future trips!
We love a practical gift! If you could host any famous person, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
Actually I am a bog fan of Jean-Claude Van Damme so if I had a choice I would be really happy to host him, to show him the country.
He is an icon, so I get it. What is a quote that inspires you?
Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.
H.G. Wells
I love that, especially since I am a big bike rider too! But mostly for transportation sake. What is a dream vacation of yours?
Slowly cruising from one country to another exploring, Couchsurfing, volunteering from time to time and just living the Life enjoying every moment of it.
Sounds incredible. Hope you get to do it someday. Last question, what is your one piece of advice to a new Couchsurfer?
To add all the info about yourself, add some photos. But in general – just realize that CS is a one big and international family here and you have to behave yourself exactly as you do it with the members of your own family.
