14/03/2013

22/11/2012
Dear Sergei,
 a very interesting article, which you sent us, so we know you and your life a little better, and admire you and your wife Anastasia.
This year we have in Germany and in Cologne a very nice autumn, lot of sun, dray and colorful, so we and hope that winter in Baikal just as nice as it's here,but not so cold as in Siberia and Olchon.
On first weekand in December, we will meet the group with wich we was last year in March in Okchon, so it ist Wilfried who made the presentation about Lake Baikal, Freia & Franz, Silke &Thomas, and Dietmar. We will meet us near Chmnitz (Karl-Marx-Stadt), so you can see and feel,that all of us connects Lake Baikal!
For your information, from beginning of October we sent three parcels to you, and we will prepare next in December (maybe 2x). We have got a lot of clothing, and we are happy if it can somehow help.
With the best wishes from Köln
Konny & Christian 

16/11/2012

Dear Sergei,

Hi, Sergei.

I'm Uiryeol, who visited Olkhon last January.

In Russia I called myself Yuri.

We met in the mini bus from Huzir to Irkutsk.

And we discussed about tourism in Baikal and you taught me the Siberian dance.

I was so happy to be with you and to talk with you then.

I wish you could remember me!

After leaving the Baikal, I took a train to Novosibirsk and met my friend Anna.

I met her at 2008 during the oversea education program in Akademgorodok and we became sincere friends.

I stayed her and her boyfriend(now, husband)'s house for a week, and came back to Korea through a train and a ship.

The month in Russia changed me a lot.

I experienced the nature that I've never seen before, and thought about my life a lot.

Most of all, people who I met during my journey made me so happy.

Anytime when I felt sad or anxious people appeared in front of me and asked me to help me, and talked to me.

Then I felt so comfortable and glad as we were very old friends.

It was in Irkutsk, in Baikal, in Novosibirsk, and in the train.

Every people who I met on the road led me to end my journey, including you.

I would like to say thank you so much, even though my appreciation is a little late.

Now I'm in Korean army. I have to do my military service for two years.

I will be here until February 2014. But the time in the army has also changed myself a lot, as I leave a long journey for two years.

So I'm happy now.

And I hope I could ask you a favor.

My favorite friend, who I met in the high school, he will leave the travel to Russia next January, as I did a year before.

His name is Sung-woo, and he was very inspired by my journey and my story, and he decided to follow my route.

Next January, he will took a train from Vladivostok to Irkutsk, and visit lake Baikal, and he will continue his journey to Saint-Petersburg, three Baltic countries and eastern Europe.

What I wish to ask you is whether he could stay in your church during he travel Baikal.

He would like to do couch surfing, and asked me some advises in Russia, so I thought maybe you can help him.

It would be a great glad to me too if he can stay with you and talk about the travel and me!

I'll be very happy if you could help us.

But even though he cannot stay with you, I think staying in Nikita's house will be also great experience for him.

I met many another travelers and talked with them and was happy.

I hope you could reply me.

And I hope you to be healthy and be happy.

I will write you again a month later, after the military training ends.

Then, Have a nice winter!

November 16, 2012, from Seoul, Korea

with my best wishes,

Uiryeol Lee

22.10.2012
What an amazing experience we had in Olkhon Island! Philoxenia is the
greatest home for backpackers on their way, thanks to Sergey. Each
traveller makes his contribution to make the place even more welcoming
little by little. Beautiful place, warm atmosphere, wonderful host... we
feel like at home. Thank you Sergey.
Elise and Camille Jaillant

22.10.2012
Salut Sergueï,

10/10/2012
Sergey wasn't in Khushir when I arrived, so he recommended me his neighbour
Nadejda who runs a nice guesthouse with small huts. I enjoyed very much
staying at her place, she's a very warm and helpful person. Sergey, please
say hello to her from me and many thanks for everything!
Rita Schuepbach

10/10/12
Salut à tous ! 10.10.2012
I have been thinking about you lately, and wanted to thank you again for your hospitality. I was so strongly impacted by my time in Russia and especially Olkhon. We are home now safely, but I feel like a part of me is always always going to remain in Olkhon. How did the roses fair? I keep thinking about composts and how you might make rich soils...

this is what we have: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermicompost

Maybe you can get these worms somewhere in Russia? I am sure someone has them. They are incredible little beings!

I think of it as my alchemical operation: making gold out of the process of death (ie decomposition leads to rejeuvenation (and veggies!))

So yeah, I don't usually write without any direct purpose, but in this case, I have been missing you, and our time in Olkhon. Just wanted to share that I feel priviledged to have become your friend, and hope we will come again!

Your Friend,
-Peter 

09/10/2012
Hi. My name is Ben. I am 27 years old, from London (with a Finnish mother & English father) and I quit my job in advertising and am currently on a 3.5 month solo backpacking trip that started in Denmark, Sweden & Finland, St Petersburg, Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, & is now taking in Irkutsk, Olkhon Island, Ulan Ude, Mongolia, China, Laos, Cambodia and India. After joining the Couch Surfing community recently, I have embraced it full force, getting involved in events & activites as well as very positive surfing experiences in Finland & Russia. I am looking for a host in Olkhon Island for up to 3 nights on the 9th - 11th October. I have just arrived in Irkutsk & previously had no Internet access so apologises for the last minute request! My Facebook profile may give you further insight into me as a person - feel free to add me if you want more info than I have provided on Couch Surfing: http://www.facebook.com/benpthomas. 
Your profile reveals that many surfers have had very positive experiences with you, so I am keen to get involved. I have heard that Olkhon Island is beautiful & I'd like to stay with a local that knows the place.

4/10/2012
Bonjour Sergueï,
Nous sommes un couple de français qui décidé de partir en voyage autour du monde pour les 8 prochains mois. Le sac à dos bien accroché, nous comptons visiter un nombre incalculable de villes, villages, îles, cambrousses, forêts, plages etc... et rencontrer autant de gens!
Vous pourrez voir dans mon profil que je suis un ex étudiant en cinéma à Bruxelles et ma copine est institutrice dans cette même ville. 
Nous commençons notre périple par la Russie puis nous prenons le transsibérien jusqu'à Irkutsk où nous espérons faire un arrêt prolongé de 15 jours sur l'île d'Olkhon puis nous repartons pour la Mongolie, la Chine, la Birmanie, Le Cambodge, l'Indonésie, l'Australie, la Nouvelle Zélande, le Chili et puis enfin l'Argentine.
Nous sommes de très sympathiques personnes qui voudraient avoir l'occasion de rencontrer et de parler avec un maximum de gens de tous horizons et c'est pourquoi le couch surfing nous plait tant! 

Nous avons choisi de te contacter parce que nous avons beaucoup entendu parler de toi, de ta gentillesse et de ta générosité par le biais d'amis Belge qui sont restés chez toi l'année dernière à peu près à la même saison, Pierre et Juliette. Parce que l'île d'Olkhon est, selon eux, un petit coin de paradis et surtout quand on a la chance d'être logé à Philoxenia. Nous avons vraiment envie de partager un petit peu de notre voyage avec toi.
Si tu veux en savoir plus sur nous, n'hésite pas à nous écrire!
A bientôt j'espère!

Alex et Sophie
01/10/2012
Bonjour Sergey !

Au fur et à mesure de nos pérégrinations, Charles et moi avons recroisé un ami polonais que j'ai rencontré à Calcutta. C'est lui qui nous a parlé de ton petit refuge à couchsurfers sur l'île d'Olkhon, et qui nous a convaincus de t'envoyer une demande d'hébergement. Toujours à la recherche de nouvelles expériences et de nouvelles rencontres, nous nous sommes décidés ^^.

Du coup, quelque part sur notre route entre Paris et Pékin, nous nous arrêtons 6 jours à Irkoutsk, et nous nous sommes dit que ce serait sûrement une bonne idée de venir passer deux nuits en ta compagnie dans ton petit coin de paradis, entre le 5 et le 11 octobre, les deux nuits qui t'arrangeraient le plus. 

Nous sommes bien évidemment toujours d'accord pour filer un coup de main et apprendre, tant du savoir que du savoir faire :-)

Voilà voilà, si tu peux nous tenir au courant, ça serait super !

Nous prenons le transsibérien depuis Moscou ce soir et avons hâte de connaître cette nouvelle expérience. 
1. On passe dans le coin
2. Tu as l'air hyper cool
3. J'ai moi aussi une licence de philosophie et j'adore rencontrer des gens avec qui je peux en discuter
Cecile et Charles

26/09/2012
Dear Sergey
26/09/2012
Hi Sergey:)

I am back home so now I can tell you that your place is one of the most amazing places that I have ever seen in my life. I am thoroughly moved by Philoxenia Sergey. I felt so nice there. I just love this place. It is something obvious for me that I want to support this place somehow. I do missed for bells playing during my last stay there without you, but it was nice to sleep in the garage and work with Alexander (my friend from Uzbekistan:)) as a carpenter in this magic room on second floor. It was really lovely time which I had with him. Work for Philoxenia:) I also gave some money to Alexander (friend from Olkhon;)) for Philoxenia. Not too much but for мусор should be enough:) I know this word:) When good man driver came to take мусор we cleaned Philoxenia's мусор:) This one big shovel for snow is really good to clean мусор:) I promised to him but forgot to do this - tell somebody that there was 4 cubic meters of мусор:) It was good and instructive experience to clean мусор with this man. I hope that I will come one day to see Philoxenia again and to do something more for this place. Only this place can offer such extraordinary emotions and meetings.Thanks a lot for these:) Greetings to your family, especially wife and father who I met, Alexander, father Vasilij (I didn't have an occasion to tell him thank you and bye). And actually I need to say it I didn't tell you how thankful I am to you Sergey for this amazing experience:) Great place Philoxenia! Now you know how happy I am because of Philoxenia. Hope this place will grow. большое спасибо. God bless you Sergey and your place.
Tomas
Philoxenia is a great place! One of this kind which you won't forget.
Sergey:) Very wise man will offer you possibility to have the most
extraordinary experience which traveler can have. Many thanks for a chance
to meet such wonderful people in such gorgeous place. Long live for
Philoxenia and its father! 

25/09/2012
Sergey, moi et Maxime te remercions du fond du coeur pour ta gentillesse,
ton hospitalité et ton ouverture d'esprit. L'ile d'Olkhon est un endroit
magnifique, et Philoxenia un lieu d'exception. Nous gardons de très bons
souvenirs de notre rencontre avec toi, les autres voyageurs, et la belle
église que nous avons pu visiter avec toi. 
Embrasse ta petite famille de notre part, peut-être nous recroiserons nous
un jour!

08/09/2012
Sergey was an extremely kind host although there were aspects of the room stay that made our stay not as pleasant as would have hoped. There were people staying in the room above and the floor/ceiling boards were very thin - it was very noisy - even them walking from one end of room to other sounded very loud. And there was food in fridge that was way way past its best and the fridge was not clean. For the sake of 10 mins before we arrived we thought this was bad. But other than that the room was spacious and comfy and a great spot in the village right next to the Shamen rocks.
Lisa


07/09/2012
Quel domage nous aurions tellement aime te rencontre nous avions par hasard echanger avec Camille et sa copine a ton sujet en corse que le monde est petit.
Nous allons tentez de rejoindre Philoxenia tout de meme.
Merci de ton attention.
Bonne vacances en famille.
Bien a toi.
AURELIA BOISSON

06/09/2012

Cher Sergey,

Je suis rentrée en Europe et prends le temps de repenser avec émotion à toute cette épopée en terre russe. Olkhon aura été très marquant. On n'aura pas beaucoup parlé mais le simple spectacle de ta vie m'a fait pas mal réfléchir. Encore une fois merci de ton accueil. J'ai rencontré de nouveau Petr le tchèque et Josh l'américain par hasard sur la route, ça a été merveilleux! Je viens de passer une semaine avec Elias le Suisse, qui m'a gentiment invitee a venir cuisiner sur le chantier ou il effectue son service civil, dans les montagnes grisonnes. Et puis bien sûre Alex l'australienne qui est maintenant en Europe et qui m'avait gentiment ramené mon passeport à Irkutsk. Quelle étourdie! Je serais prête à croire à un bel acte manqué d'ailleurs, car je pense avoir laissé d'autres choses chez toi, entre autres mon cahier de russe! Ah, il servira à d'autres j'espère.

D'Allemagne
Laura
PS: très sympa ta nouvelle photo :)

06/09/2012
Comme beaucoup d'autres, je suis arrivée à Philoxenia par le bouche a
oreille, épuisée après des mois de route, un peu perdue, ne sachant pas
trop quoi y trouver...et puis la magie du lieu a opéré. Olkhon est un
lieu très particulier. Je souhaite à toute personne en quête de calme et
de beauté de pouvoir y séjourner. L'annexe CS de la maison de Sergeï est
un lieu de recontres formidable ; il y règne une liberté peu commune...on
y discute, on y expérimente jusqu'à des heures indues parfois, on
retrouve des sensations du passé due la nature si proche. Un cadeau d'une
valeur inestimable que l'on aimerait offrir à d'autres.
Laura

06.09.2012
Hello Sergey
My name is Rita, I'm a 35 years old Swiss teacher who has been living two years in Mongolia. In October I will travel back to Europe by Transsiberian railways. I'm very much looking forward to finally visiting Russia and learn about Russian culture and life and hopefully some Russian words! 
I will arrive to Olkhon on October 6, 7 or 8 and stay three to four days depending on when I get a ride from and to Irkutsk. 
I would like to visit your Philoxenia because I met a traveller in Ulaanbaatar (her name was Maya) who stayed with you and warmly recommended me to do so. Plus there are so many positive and interesting comments about you on your couchsurfing site! 
Can you let me stay at Philoxenia for three or four nights? I would appreciate that very much. Please let me know as soon as possible. Thank you and hope to see you soon! Rita
03/09/2012
After 5 monthes cycling from Paris to Moscou, we decided to have a rest at
lake Baïkal. We arrived tired and sick and Sergeï open his door, show
beds, and gave medecine. We could stay 2 weeks, having a break for the
body, and rest our mind working a bit on the "travellers house" and at the
church. We met wonderfull travellers in this house. Fantastic and magic
experiences!
Elodie and Antoine

Dear Elodie&Antoine:
Your generosity and love are as abundant as your desire for a true active living and searching throughout life adventures. I have become much richer having met with you both, dear Elodie&Antoine. You are two faces of the ONE who inspires you both to seek and find...and seek again and again. I wish you endless LOVE in the most compassionate way of life that you both have and share with others. Be well... 
Sergei

30.08.2012
Serguei has a big open heart and it's so great to meet such beautiful
people. We had rare opportunities to spend time together, but it doesn't
matter. Seeing his smile is enough to warm ones memories about Olkhon
island.
My wish is to meet him again some day, somewhere in Russia, or, who knows,
in Paris, where I'd be honnored to greet him.
Пока Сергей, и ешё большое спасибо!
Medy

30/08/2012
Vallee du Tsenkher - 26.08.12
(Mail envoye a notre retour a Ulan Baator)

Bye bye Russia

Je suis assis sur un petit tabouret en bois orange dans une yourte. La vie est tranquille, tout comme la riviere qui passe a moins de 5 metres de la porte. Le soleil rentre par cette petite porte ou je me cogne souvent la tete, et j'entends a travers la paroi le bruit des betes qui broutent. Que de chemin parcouru pour arriver dans ce petit paradis... On a finalement pu prendre le bateau a Severobaikalsk, visiter la splendide ile d'Olkhon, decouvrir Irkustk, ses beaux batiments et ses excellents restaurants (apres quelques semaines a la dure, le luxe (de l'eau chaude dans une douche et un repas raffine suffisent pour etre qualifies de luxe) fait du bien), faire escale a Ulan-Ude et sa gigantesque tete de Lenine sur la place centrale, traverser la frontiere et dire enfin adieu a la lourdeur bureaucratique de la Russie (on a encore passe une heure dans le bureau du service de limmigration d'Ulan-Ude pour etre surs de sortir sans encombre). Passe le controle des passeports (5 heures de lent controle avec les douaniers russes), l'entree en Mongolie a ete quasi irreelle, les soldats mongols s'etant mis au garde-a-vous le long du train entrant dans leur pays. Changement complet d'ambiance...

La longue route

Je vous passe la description de l'anarchie de la capitale mongole, que ce soit pour son urbanisme ou son trafic.

On part d'Ulan-Baator le 24 avec un chauffeur et un guide. Encore merci Jihane pour avoir permis l'organisation de ce trip. La route se fait dans un mini-bus de conception sovietique, tres adapte pour les routes et pistes de Mongolie. Bouchons, raccourci par les quartiers pauvres de la banlieue, agglomerat de yourtes entourees de palissades, pistes defoncees... Les paysans ayant fui la steppe lors d'hivers meurtriers qui ont decime leurs cheptels finissent dans la misere profonde des bidonvilles de la seule vraie ville du pays.

La route vers le centre du pays est longue, penible et de pire en pire. On doit faire trois etapes, dont une halte a l'ancienne capitale de Gengis Khan, Kharkhorin (Karakorum) et son superbe monastere d'Erdenee Zuu, bijou perdu entre la steppe et les montagnes.

Enfin, apres avoir traverse plusieurs rivieres (pour ceux qui se posent la question, il y a peu de ponts, donc c'est plutot la version Paris-Dakar, avec l'eau qui fouette le plancher du vehicule et la crainte d'un embourbement au milieu du lit) nous arrivons au bout de tout, dans la vallee de la Tsenkher, dans cette famille nomade avec qui nous allons passer 3 jours et 3 nuits.

Le paradis nomade

lls vivent dans 5 yourtes, dont deux sont dediees a la cuisine et aux productions laitieres. On a droit a notre propre yourte. Spacieuse, un grand lit et deux petits lits, une petite table et un evier au-dessus duquel pend un reservoir qu'il  faut regulierement remplir dans la riviere. Autour, les enclos pour les troupeaux de vaches, yaks, chevres et chevaux. Derriere la riviere, les petites montagnes et leurs forets de pins. C'est beau...

Mon accueil dans le village de Borneo avait ete ponctue par la descente d'un breuvage local dont j'ai deja oublie le nom. Ici, c'est la meme chose, mais c'est l'airak (lait de jument fermente et un peu alcoolise) qu'on doit boire. Il a un gout aigre et, avec tous ces petits yeux brides qui nous observent autour, il est evidemment hors de question de refuser le bol qui nous est tendu. Il n'y a pas le choix, on a uniquement le droit de le boire en faisant ensuite un petit sourire de contentement en disant "amt'te" (c'est bon). En disant ca, je regarde les tranches de fromage qui sont suspendus au plafond de la yourte. En fait, on m'apprend qu'il s'agit de yaourt seche. D'ailleurs, puique j'en parle, on nous tend un bol de ce yaourt seche decoupe en petits morceaux. "Comme c'est gentil..." Je goute... C'est degoutant : melange d'un gout sucre, aigre et acide a la fois. (c'est mon avis, Dorota aime bien...) Et puis dans le foulee on a droit a toute la panoplie des produits laitiers produits par la famille : beurre de yak, fromage de yak, lait fermente de yak... J'ai de nouveau l'impression de revivre la scene des Bronzes font du ski ou ils ont droit a la degustation des specialies montagnardes dans un village isole. Sauf que la je sais qu'on est ici pour 3 jours... Et puis evidemment, il faut qu'on goute la vodka faite maison apres distillation du lait de yak. Revival Bronzes font du ski, scene 2...

Passe les presentations (j'ai deja oublie les noms a 4 syllabes et 23 consomnes), on a le droit de partir a la decouverte des environs. Balade sur les sommets, vue globale sur ce coin de l'Arkhangai, une prvince surnommee la petite Suisse de Mongolie a cause de son relief et de ses forets. La vue est superbe. On se rend compte qu'en dehors des 2 autres familles qui sont installees a proximite de la notre, il n'y a pas de voisin a proprement parler. Tout juste voit-on au loin quelques yourtes au fond d'une vallee, et puis c'est tout. Pire que Marly-Gomont !

Le soir venu, une fois la traite des yaks et de vaches faite et le rabattement du cheptel dans les enclos, la vie s'arrette rapipdement : pas d'elecricite, et la pauvre bougie posee sur un meuble derriere la lit incite vite au sommeil. C'est la premiere fois que je me couche avec les poules au sens propre.

Le mouton

Le lendemain matin, on nous annonce que c'est le grand evenement. Un peu plus d'une fois par mois, lorsqu'il n'y a plus de viande, un mouton passe a la casserole. Je ne sais pas comment il a ete choisi, mais je vois qu'au loin, un mouton est amene pres d'un yourte, pose sur un tapis les pattes en l'air.  Le pere de famille est la, tenant les pates du mouton, avec un voisin venu donner un coup de main. Je m'approche et leur fait gaiement un bonjour sonore. Ils me regardent l'air etonne et font "jkhh", ce qui veut dire non (les voyelles sont pas toujours necessaires pour s'exprimer ici: "tkhh" veut dire oui...). 

Je comprends mon erreur en voyant la bete qui rale en cherchant difficilement son souffle et le voisin qui a deja son bras jusqu'au coude enfonce dans le ventre du mouton. C'est pas le moment de faire du bruit. Le voisin cherche l'aorte qui passe dans le dos de la bete pour la rompre puis laisser le sang se verser dans le corps, afin que la mort vienne en douceur. L'avantage de la methode est que c'est propre et que le sang n'est pas gaspille. tout autour, il y a beaucoup de mouches. L'ete, les mouches sont une vraie plaie. Et encore il n'y a pas trop de moustiques... Quand vient le moment, le coup est comprime pour accelerer la mort. Derniers spasmes et le voisin peut partir tranquillement pour laisser la famille s'occuper du mouton. Il aura sa part plus tard. Le mouton est fort, fin de l'acte 1.

La peau est decoupee, separee du corps a grand coup de "han" pousses par le pere a chaque traction. Un enfant de 3 ans approche, nu comme un ver, pour voir le spectacle. Les chiens aussi, sentant qu'il y a quelque chose a gagner a rester dans les parages. Etonnant de voir cette scene sur un tapis retourne sur l'herbe, derriere une yourte. Ils sont encore loin des standards europeen pour l'abattage...

Les filles viennent a la rescousse du pere pour aider a depouiller le mouton. Une fois la peau enlevee, c'est le moment de s'attaquer aux tripes. La poche du ventre ouverte, intestins et estomac degoulinent. L'estomac est vite decoupe et emmene par la mere qui, avec cette poche naturelle dans la main, ressemble a une femme revenant des courses le sachet de provision plein a craquer (d'herbe). Toute la famille s'y met, avec des bassines pour les poumon et le foie, pour les intestins, les reins... La rate vole et atterrit dans l'herbe, pour le grand plaisir des chiens. C'est la premiere fois que j'ai un tel cours d'anatomie. Les mouches sont toujours aussi nombreuses et le pere commence a en avoir assez. Heureusement une fille arrive avec l'anti-mouches local : un plateau de bouse de yak sechee a laquelle on a mis le feu. Le plateau est place dans le vent et la fumee parfumee d'herbe (pour rappel, un yak est herbivore) embaume le cadavre et ses debiteurs.
 
Lorsque tous les organes sont retires et le sang recupere, il ne reste plus qu'a decouper le corps, retirer la tete et finalelement, au bout de moins d'une heure, il ne reste plus que la peau et un tapis presque propre. Fin de l'acte 2

Le pere va se laver les mains dans la riviere. A cote de lui, un fille lave soigneusement l'intestin dans l'eau vive, sous le regard attentif d'un rapace qui vole de temps en temps au-dessus en se demandant probablement s'il y a un truc a grapiller. A cote de la yourte (sous le regard attentif des chiens...) les femmes nettoient le reste des organes et commencent a confectionner les boudins et autres specialites de tripailles en transvasant les enrailles d'une cuvette a l'autre. Tout le monde participe, meme les plus jeunes. La question ne se pose pas de savoir si une fille a l'ame trop sensible pour jouer avec les tripes encore tiedes d'un chamant animal qui il y a peu faisant encore un "beee" attendrissant. 

Une demi-heure plus tard, on nous appelle pour l'apero. On s'installe dans la yourte familiale et on nous sert une tasse remplie du bouillon qui a servi a la cuisson de l'estomac et de quelques tripes. La, j'ai eu du mal a faire un sourire et a dire "amt'te" parce que c'etait tres... comment dire, fort en gout.  Je repose la tasse qu'on m'a servie en essayant de ne pas trop me faire remarquer. Tout de suite apres, on voit arriver une bassine remplie de toutes ces tripes. On nous coupe genereusement du boudin, du poumon, du rein, du coeur et du foie, pour qu'on ait la chance de gouter a tout. Les Mongols sont tres prevenants... Ceci dit, passe l'aspect peu avenant de cette bassine remplie de tripaille remuante et sanguinolante, je dois dire que certains morceaux etaient tres bons, notamment le coeur...

Pas de souci a se faire pour le soir, il y aura encore du mouton pour tout le monde et a toutes les sauces. S'il y a des vegetariens dans la liste, je vous conseillerai de choisir une autre destination pour vos prochaines vacances. Mais si vous avez l'estomac bien accroche, je vous garantis des moments inoubliables, dans des paysages incroyables. Pour moi en tout cas, c'etait les plus belles vacances que j'aie jamais faites. 

PS: je vous ai ramene du yaourt seche, je suis sur que ca va vous plaire :)

Demain, Pekin pour quelques jours, puis retour a Paris dimanche.
A bientot 
29/08/2012
Salut Sergei, Antoine.

29/08/2012
Staying at Phioxenia "repère des routards" was so great ! We met other
travellers and could enjoy this particular and peaceful atmosphere there on
this beautiful island. Thanks to Sergey, I felt so good there! Thanks so
much.

28/08/2012
Cher Sergei,
25.08.2012

22.08.2012
We stayed at father Sergey´s Philoxenia for a few days with my friend. It is
a special place, with warm and peaceful atmosphere. Thank you Sergey and
your wife Anastacia, your place is like a heart of Olkhon Island. See you :)
Hanna Mensonen

21.08.2012
Hi Sergey
I am Nickos Koutsodimos a greek farmer that a specific time of the year (when he has time) travels the world, this year was the time for siberia. Being frank i didnt have any serious reason to do this travel, it was last spring that i closed my eyes and pointed on the world map mongolia. Then i had to decide how i will go , i found as a reasonable itinary to take the transiberian from moscow, so here i am. Ussually during these travels i retrospect a lot , speaking with my self , wondering into the landscapes, enjoying meeting by accident people ,listening to them, feeling them and then remembering them and if they make it hosting them in my little paradise in south greece, until now the warmth of siberian people is out of great impression for me and hope that will continue like that 
Сoming from greece, travelling trough siberia to find my self finally in mongolia, being in olkhon island is like a dream for me , coming from the lake of mediterrania being in the lake of Baikal seems pretty fascinating, i wonder if you can show me around the place or host me for two days, just explain me how the system of philoxenia (greek word) works there, and i am ready to offer, i am a farmer in greece pretty familiar with nature, i would love if you could help me to find my way to OLKHON.
Cheers.

14/08/2012

J'ai envie de vous parler de plen de choses. Vous raconter la vie dans le transsiberien, les us et coutumes des trains russes, les gens qu'on y rencontre autour du samovar au bout de chaque wagon, les personnes toujours curieuses de voir des etrangers sur des lignes pas toujours tres frequentees, beaucoup de gens tres sympas, parfois tres genereux, et d'autres moins (bizarrement souvent lorsqu'ils sont derriere un guichet).

J'ai aussi envie de vous parler des villes ou on a fait etape, des villes aux noms bourres de consonnes qui permettraient de faire un carton si on les place sur la case mot compte triple : Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Vikhorevka, Energetik, Gidrotroytel, Severobaikalsk, Nizhneangarsk...

J'ai surtout envie de vous parler de la beaute incroyable du lac Baikal, de ses rives, de ses montagnes... de la sensation exaltante que procure une marche sur un sentier dans une foret que l'on sait completement deserte, de deboucher sur une longue plage ou il n'y a personne, de s'y baigner malgre le froid de l'eau, sachant que le soleil suffira a nous secher, de traverser un village abandonne il y a plus de trente ans, de marcher pendant des heures avant d'atteindre une auberge isolee ou on sait qu'on aura un repas chaud et une nuit agreable avant de repartir le lendemain en direction de la petite ville plus au nord...

Et puis ces nuits dans une petite maison louee d'ou je suis en train d'ecrire, a Baikalskoe, un village ou il n'y a pas l'eau courante et ou c'est une chance d'avoir l'electricite, mais un village d'une telle beaute et surtout tellement isole au bout de la route qu'on se sent loin de tout... 

Mais je vous raconterai ca une autre fois, ou plus surement lorsqu'on se reverra. Parce que la, il faut vraiment que je vous raconte ce qui s'est passe samedi, sans doute le plus bel exemple des difficultes que peuvent rencontrer les voyageurs independants ici.

Nous sommes a Severobaikalsk, au nord du lac Baikal, comme son nom l'indique. Etape suivante, l'ile d'Olkhon, 300 km plus au sud au milieu du lac. Il n'y a aucune route ni voie ferree qui part au sud. La seule solution pour y aller est le bateau, qui part le samedi et le mercredi. Autant dire que celui qui le rate prend 4 jours dans son programme. Pour mettre toutes les chances de notre cote, on se renseigne partout pour savoir comment acheter les billets. Apres pas mal de recherches, je trouve le site internet de la compagnie, qui, o merveille, possede une version en anglais. J'ai fait des progres en russe (je peux desormais dire "je suis francais" sans me tromper !), mais si j'ai la possibilite de lire en anglais, je n'hesite pas longtemps. Pour acheter un billets, le site en anglais annonce que ca peut etre fait sur le quai a Irkutsk (au sud du lac) ou par telephone. Et a Severobaikalsk ? 

A Severobaikalsk (qu'est-ce que c'est long a ecrire ce nom... la prochaine fois, j'ecris "Severo"), la fille de l'office de tourisme nous dit qu'on peut acheter les billets en montant sur le bateau, qu'il ny a pas d'autre moyen. A l'hotel, idem, on nous dit la meme chose. Par acquis de conscience, on passe au port, mais il n'y a pas le moindre guichet pour donner une info et encore moins pour ventre un billet. Ok, on achetera donc le moment venu. 

Mais on craint de ne plus avoir de place. Le samedi, 7h30 du mat, on part donc en taxi (600 roubles) pour la ville 20 km plus au nord (en fait il n'y a que 2 villes dans le coin), point de depart du bateau pour etre sur de monter. Du monde sur le quai. Le bateau est la, sa porte s'ouvre. Une fille , queue de cheval et une liste a la main annonce quelque chose. Je comprends seulement "billets". Dorota me traduit : ceux qui ont un billet peuvent monter. Il y en a donc qui ont deja un billet ?! Une fille passe avec un gros sac sur le dos et un papier dans la main. On lui demande. "Billet electronique. Internet." Mais j'etais sur internet, j'ai rien vu de tel ! Je comprends pas tres bien ce qui se passe, sauf que ca sent mauvais.

Tous ceux qui ont un billet sont montes. Les autres, une dizaine, commencent a se presser et s'echauffer. La fille a la queue de cheval annonce que ceux qui n'ont pas de billet ne peuvent pas monter. Elle est categorique. Je file voir le matelot qui est en train de defaire les amarres. Le gars est grand et a le visage marque. Un veteran de la Tchetchenie ? "Il faut qu'on prenne  le bateau, svp !" "Niet" On propose de payer plus cher. Sans resultat. Il designe la fille a la queue de cheval. C'est elle qui a la cle. Mais elle rentre deja dans le bateau, laissant plein de monde enerve sur le quai, dont une bonne partie sont des vieux pour qui internet n'est evidemment pas chose courante.

Le bateau part ! On ne peut pas abandonner comme ca, notre hote nous attend aujourd'hui a Olkhon et on veut pas reser jusqu'a mercredi ici. Notre seule chance c'est que des places restent libres a Severo. Plus de taxi dans les parages. Deux types, qui ont depose des proches qui viennent d'embarquer, montent dans leur voiture. On leur demande de nous emmener a Severo, et plus vite que le bateau. Rien n'est gratuit. Encore 600 roubles de perdus.

Vite vite, l'hydroglisseur longe la cote, mais ils roulent vite. On arrive avant le bateau, mais avec plein de monde sur le quai. On retrouve des gens qui etaient avec nous dans l'autre port. Meme scenario, memes enervements, meme "niet". On arrive a se mettre devant, on insiste. Il y a pourtant de la place dans le bateau, et on descend a la prochaine, mais c'est niet. Le veteran defait a nouveau les amarres et le bateau s'en va. On le regarde partir, en se demandant comment faire. Le bateau etait la seule option valable et le prochain est dans quatre jours.

Gros coup de mou.

Retour en ville. Recherche d'un cyber cafe. Tout est ferme a cette heure-ci. La poste est ouverte, mais son coin internet n'est pas ouvert le samedi. On tourne, on tourne, on ne trouve rien. Finalement, on apprend qu'un bar a un wifi. Mais il ouvre a midi. On s'en fiche, on longe ses murs avec le portable, jusqu'a trouver le wifi, et ca marche !

Retour sur le site de la compagnie de bateau. Site en anglais : rien sur la reservation en ligne. Version en russe : tiens ?! "Kupit' bilet" : il y a la possibilite d'acheter un billet ! Morale : toujours regarder le site dans la langue d'origine, les autres versions ne sont pas forcement a jour... 

Bon, alors, vite, on kupit' bilet avant qu'il n'y en ait plus. Ah ben voila, c'est trop tard, il n'y en a deja plus ! On peut seulement acheter un billet pour le trajet complet jusqu'a Irkutsk, tout au sud. Tant pis, on achete ca et on sortira en cours de route, a Olkhon. Ah oui, 8 400 roubles, quand meme...

Il faut fournir les informations des voyageurs pour pouvoir payer les billets. Nom, prenom, date de naissance, nationalite... Ah ?! pour la nationalite, il n'y a pas le choix : c'est que pour les Russes. Idem pour la region : que des regions russes. Et comment font les etrangers ? Bon ben tant pis, on n'a qu'a dire qu'on est Russes. Il faut un numero de passeport russe, on est obliges d'inventer. Une adresse et un telephone, ce sera ceux de notre hotel... Et ca passe !

Samedi 12h, on a des billets qu'on peut imprimer. Mercredi 15.08, on ira au port, en croisant les doigts pour que l'histoire des passeports ne pose pas de probleme. Si ca rate, on risque d'etre mal pour franchir la frontiere le 21 aout au plus tard (sans compter qu'on ne va peut etre pas faire tous les treks de la region 3 fois de suite dans chaque sens en attendant de pouvoir enfin partir...)

Bref, la Siberie est belle, tres belle, mais tout organiser soi-meme y apporte plus de surprises qu'ailleurs. Mieux vaut avoir de la marge dans le planning...

En attendant la suite des aventures, voici quelques photos prises au cours de nos balades dans ces paysages deserts, et la petite maison qu'on a louee pour deux jours a Baikalskoe.
(mail envoye depuis Severobaikalsk)

La bise !


12.08.2012
I (Mateo) stayed at Sergey's and enjoyed it very much. the atmosphere at
his place is all about sharing and relaxing. it was my pleasure to help him
out when i could as sergey himself is a calm and kind person. allthough i
talked with him just briefly i could see that he is a true beliver of good.

11.08.2012
Bonjour Serguei

Je voulais te prevenir que nous ne serons pas a Khuzhir aujourd'hui,
mais que nous arriverons le 15 aout. Je suis desole pour ce decalage,
mais il est le resultat d'une mauvaise surprise pour nous.

Ce matin, au moment d'embarquer sur le bateau, nous avons ete refuses,
comme toutes les personnes qui n'avaient pas achete de billet sur
internet. Manifestement, c'est desormais le seul moyen de prendre ce
bateau!

Le probleme est que nous avions demande a plusieurs bureaux
d'information et hotels et cherche sur internet et a chaque fois, il
nous a ete dit que les billets devaient etre achetes lorsque les
passagers montent sur le bateau. Les informations n'etaient donc pas a
jour.

Helas, le resultat est que nous sommes coinces a Severobaikalsk pour
les prochains jours et un peu desempares...

J'espere que tu auras encore une petite place pour nous a partir de
mercredi 15 aout. Nous venons d'acheter un billet sur internet pour
cela. Par contre, le site indique qu'il n'y a plus de billet au depart
d'Olkhon vers Irkutsk avant le 19 aout.
Sais-tu s'il y a d'autres compagnies qui font la liaison vers Irkutsk,
ou faut-il prendre le bus (et faut-il reserver?)

Merci d'avance pour ton aide
Bien a toi
Medy et Dorota

10.08.2012
Ah Serguey, 4 jours, 12 jours, on aurait pu rester si longtemps. Les
enfants disent qu'ils reviendront quand ils seront grands et c'est leur
plus bel hommage à votre maison ouverte aux quatre vents de la colline et
à chaque âme de passage. Merci pour cette leçon d'hospitalité et
d'ouverture. Dans 20 ans sur la toute petite ile, là bas, en face, qui
sait ?
Que votre génerosité vous porte longtemps encore, loin si loin, essemant
dans d'autres coins du monde de mêmes germes si simples et si beaux.
Henry, Isable et 4enfants.

08.08.2012
Sergeij, thank you so much for letting us camp at your place and even
driving us to the other side of the island! Philoxenia is a beautiful
project and I took a lot of inspiration with me just from being there.
Everytime I hear a churchbell ring now I am reminded of its special,
welcoming atmopshere.
Fridolin Haag

07.08.2012
Sergei,
it is always nice to see smiling children's eyes, thanks for the nice pictures. Surely the children enjoy mostly about sweets and toys,but they consume a lot of clothes when they are growing, and that they should get it. We and our children have this and we are happy when another people and especially children can used.
You will recieved next one in about 3 weeks, inside a toy with batteries, you need it switch on the back and then press on the stomach,it speaks English.
Many Greetings
Konny & Christian

07.08.2012
Hi, my name is Honorata,
I'm from Poland.
I found You on polish web page about Russia, where people wrote that they had connected you on Olhon Island and that people can find you on CouchSurfing. I found web page CouchSurfing, because I wonted find You and ask you for a help.
I'm sorry for my mistakes, my English isn't very well. I wonted write you in Russian, but it is hard to write in Russian in Polish computer, so I decided write in English.
Me and my 6 friends (we are 6 girls and 1 man) are planning to go to Irkutsk, Olkhon, Tunkinska Valley and St. Nose Peninsula and Ułan Ude.
For most of us it's first trip to Russia, first trip on the East ;)

We will be in Irkutsk on 24 August this year, we stay here 1 day, then we have 2 options:
first - go to Olkhon Island, back to Irkutsk and go to Sludianka, Arszan and then to Ulan Ude and St. Nose Peninsula
second - first go to Sludianka, Arszan, then back to Irkutsk, go to Olhon Island and rent a boat to St. Nose Peninsula or Ust Barguzin.
We don't know which option is better.

My questions are:
How long it takes journey by boat from Huzur to St Nose Peninsula/Ust Barguzin?

It's easy to rent a boat from Olkhon to St. Nose Peninsula for 7 people in early September? (if we go first to Sludianka and Arszan we come to Olhon in early September)
How much cost rent a boat for 7 people this year? Maybe we should find more another tourists because people living on Olkhon don't rent a boat for 7 people?

Are there a special company which organize 1 or 2 -days trips from Olhon to ST. Nose Peninsula? Are they working in September? If we don't rent a boat to ST. Nose Peninsula we can buy boat trip and then escape in Peninsula or back to Olkhon. We can decide later. We know that isn't no longer a tourist season on September and for example don't working hydrofoil from Irkutsk to Olhon. Maybe with boat trip from Olkhon to ST. Nose Peninsula it's the same?
I think that we wont have problems with renting bikes or horses or man with car on Olkhon Island? We wont stay 3 days on Olhon or 4-5 if we will buy a boat trip to st. Nose Peninsula.

We will have tents, but maybe you can give us some addresses where we can find accommodation for 7 people. I can't make, couchRequested, maybe because my profile is empty ;( but for this moment the most important is communicate with you. I read information about me later ;)
and the last question
I heard that there is a special train between Port Baikal and Sludianka- Baikal Express, but it isn't working every day and people should buy tickets for it couple days earlier. Last I have read on the Internet that a local train is working on this route too, and it's working on local time. We can buy tickets for this train only on the railway station. Was written on the Internet that this train is going from Slyudyanka in the days and comes back from Port Baikalł to Slyudyanka in the nights. I can't find schedule for this train. Could you be so kind and find schedule this train or check if it is true, that it is going on this route. I'm interested how many time this train is going from Slyudyanka to Pork Baikal during the day and if it is true that it go from Port Baikal to Slyudyanka only during nights.

uffff, I wrote. IT TOOK ME 2 HOURS. it's interesting how many mistake I did, hahaha. I hope You understand what I wrote and wont to help us, especially me, because I'responsibe for organizing this trip. I do this first time for so big group - 7 people.

maybe some words about me, because my profile on CouchSurfing is still empty - my name is Honorata, I live in Warsaw,I'm 33 years old. (we all are in late twenties or early thirties). I like the East - i was in Kaliningrad and Ukraine. I like mountain very much because we go to Tunkinska Valley. I like connect people but I have language barrier (you see that if we meet) but my friends are very talkative - especially Michal and Aldona.
It will be wonderful if you can answer for my questions, especially about boat from Olhon to ST. NOSE Peninsula because I'd know how to fix our trip - first Slyudyanka or first Olhon. We are planning to be on Baikal Lake 2 weeks - from 24 August to 7 September, we back to Poland by plane from Ulan Ude.
I was completely shocked when I have read about you on the Internet.

best wisches
Honorata

07.08.2012
I fell into a time warp at Philoxenia..the place reality and time really
felt like it was bending and morphing at the edges. Sergey is kind and
ethereal. Was a special time for me amidst the opalescent light of the
northlands..
   Joshua Samuelsen

03/08/2012
Меня зовут Лена, я из Казахстана, города Павлодар.
Завтра я с подругой начинаю путешествие на Байкал. Это немного сумасшедшая идея, ведь мы 1) девушки и 2) решили путешествовать автостопом. 
Но мы хотим исполнить свою мечту и уверены, что в этом путешествии мы повстречаем много хороших людей. 

Сергей, здравствуй!
Мне рассказали о тебе 2 знакомых каучсерфера. Данил Гуревич останавливался зимой в Павлодаре и много рассказывал об Ольхоне. А Евгений Сидорин из Кемерово просил передать тебе привет :)

Мы с подругой уже добрались до Иркутска. Это наш первый опыт автостопа и мы под большим впечатлением. Столько добрых и удивительных людей встречается на пути, что не устаешь благодарить мир за это. Когда мы говорили, что едем просто на Байкал, многие рекомендовали нам увидеть Ольхон. Мы решили, что раз дорога ведет нас к Ольхону, мы должны следовать ей. И вот завтра мы и направимся к Ольхону!

Мы будем очень рады, если ты приютишь нас на 2 ночи. Мы не можем позволить себе остановиться в хостеле, а палатку потеряли по дороге. Но у нас есть спальники, мы занимаем совсем немного места и будем очень рады познакомиться с тобой. Рассказать наши истории и послушать твои :)

Телефона у нас тоже нет, так как мы потеряли его буквально вчера) Но надеемся, что как-нибудь мы узнаем твой ответ :))) Понимаем, что все это звучит странно, но все как есть :)

Лена и Оля.
02/04/2012

Sergey is a good exemple of what Couchsurfing is about. I think that the
"Refuge des routards" that he started and built contributed to make the
island of Olkhon a better place for its inhabitants and a more accesible
one for us backpackers. I hope that with the contribution of other
backpackers the place will continue to grow in the next years and I hope to
visit the island again someday to see what it's like in the winter. Merci
encore pour tout!
Vincent Cusson

31/07/2012

Merci beaucoup Sergei pour ces quelques jours passés sur l'île d'Olkhon
qui sans ta générosité, n'auraient pas été aussi sympathiques!
Je me souviendrai longtemps de cette nuit sous la grange autour d'un feu de
camp et avec une guitare pour alimenter nos chants espagnols, anglais,
russes et français!

Merci encore pour tout et avec Thomas te souhaitons une très très bonne
continuation et beaucoup d'avenir pour ta petite communauté!

A bientôt, 

Pierre.
31.07.2012
Добрый день Сергей! Я Оля из Нижнего Новгорода, живущая в Перми и временно волонтёрю в Танхое у Байкала. Я здесь уже 3 недели, я кемп лидер международного лагеря, в конце недели закончится также второй лагерь- и я очень хотела бы увидеть Ольхон. Я думаю, это отличное время, я очень не хотела ехать туда во время фестиваля, Йога, шаманы, мусор-я хотела бы тишины и духовности. со мной возможно приедет ещё одна женщина, сама из Москвы, 5лет назад переехала сюда, заповедником заниматься. она меня и пригласила сюда организовать лагерь) 

Мне про тебя сказал мой же муж, француз Пьер, он 2 или три года назад у тебя останавливался. сейчас посмотрела также у тебя мой друг из Парижа Фреди жил, сам он колумбиец-он у нас в нижнем жил, потом Я у него в Париже-тесен мир)может ты их и помнишь,хотя людей у тебя миллион наверно. Мне Пьер сказал, что у тебя нужно поработать-если надо-с удовольствием!
спасибо!
будем ждать ответа!

Оля и Ирина

31/07/2012

When we arrived to Olkhon Island, we wanted to visit his place. We were
planning to camp out somewhere near to lake but he invited us to stay at
his second floor. You cannot imagine how postive energy he has. When i saw
him at first, postive feelings sorrounded me just in a second. He has a
good spirit! Wish you a good luck with your project Sergey!
Eda BELLEK 

28/07/2012

Merci Serguei et anastasia de nous avoir accueilli dans la maison de l
hospitalite. C est un honneur que notre chemin ait croise le votre. Vous
nous avez permis de faire des rencontres fabuleuses et de decouvrir cette
ile magique. Olkhon restera pour nous une experience incroyable .
аминь

27/07/2012
Hello Sergey and Priviet,
I heard a lot about you and your church on the lake-side, and after seeing your profile picture it really got my interest (temple bells are deer to me) and i wonder what is the situation at your place right now?
if we are invited, there is a big chance (well, there is a big will) i would come and pay a visit and a good chance Ella will join me.
If the place has good atmosphere i would also like to do some volunteering while learning Russian and working on my book.
keeping an eye for the reply
Mateo

13/07/2012
Hello Sergey,

I attended a physics summer school last week in Большие Коты. The experience was so amazing, I decided to take an extra week off to explore Irkutsk and the Olkhon Island! 

Why I'd Like to Meet You 
There is a friendly mystic about your profile I would like to experience. I can't unfortunately visit the Island for longer than two days but I'd very much like to meet you. Would you have any available space? Cheers!
David

13.07.2012

What a beautiful man, and lovely family and welcoming and hope home.. It
was peaceful and everything i could have wanted for my stay on island
Olkhоn.. thanks for it all :)

13.07.2012

Hello!

We decided to send you a message, because we need help with accomodation near Baikal.

We are both historians: Juris from Latvia and Maciej from Poland (also european law student). We met each other last year during erasmus student exchange in Toruń. Then we came up with great idea. Why not to see few pieces of our world with good companion? First of all: RUSSIA. That's why we are there. Good sense of humour, lots of stories and serene atmosphere - these we may offer. Partly we will travel with Anna, Juris' sister, who's a student of Art Academy. We speak Russian at intermediate level, but may speak Latvian, Polish, English... :)

Our route in Russia:

1) Krasnoyarsk (19-22.07),
2) Irkutsk/Bajkal (approximately: 23-29.07),
3) Krasnoyarsk/surroundings (30.07-08.08),
4) Moscow (exactly: 08-14.08).

These dates are flexible, depend on two factors: train tickets that we may obtain and shelter that we may find. We are looking for accomodation in Irkustsk or somewhere near Bajkal and near train line as well as in Moscow.

The thing is that we won't have sleeping bags, because it was too heavy to take them with luggage from Poland or Latvia. In Irkutsk we are looking for three places (Juris, Anna and Maciej), in Moscow - just for two (Juris and Maciej).

Now there is hard to give our contact details, cause we would like to buy Russian pre-paid numbers, when we arrive.

If you may help and be our host even just for one night, that is more then perfect ;-)

Best wishes,
Anna & Maciej & Juris

P.S. Thanks all guys, who find few minutes within busy days and respond us :)))

11.07.2012
Hello !
My name is Ophélie.
My boyfriend, Mikel, and I are planning to travel from Russia to Australia. Of course this means that our route will take us through a lot of parts of the world that we want to visit and specially Baikal Lake and Olkhon Island.

According to our schedule (quite short unfortunatly in Russia because of the visa), we might arrive in Irkutsk the 17th of september and be in Oklhon Island from the 18th to the 22nd of September.

We are very easy going and would be grateful if you could help us out, and willing to help as much as we can (not builders but braves!)with the "Refuge des routards". 

If you need anymore information, please get in contact.
Thanks!
Ophélie
   
I realy like the idea of the "refuge des routards" and would like to contribute to this project.
I also read a lot of comments you've got. You and your family seem very open minded,friendly and welcoming.

10/07/2012
hi sergey, what a great time we had on olkhon because of you and your
philoxenia! hopefully we could help you a little bit with the beds. we had
a great boattrip and your tent is now at alex's house. maybe he will return
it himself. we wish you all the best. maybe we see each other in winter
again?! Best regards.
enrique&marieke

08/07/2012
Hi,
my name is Jo, am 27 years old, from Germany. Currently I do a trip through south east Asia, China, Mongolia, Russia (with trans siberian railway) and eastern Europe. I try to cover as much of my journey on ground, i.e. boat, train, bus, bike etc, avoid air planes. Challenge accepted! ;P 
Hi Sergey.
I wanted to ask you if you have place for a single traveller. Your place looks really beautiful and I would love to enjoy the exclusiveness of staying close to the only church on Orkhon island. Also there always seem to be lots of CSers around which I like hehe.
Please get back to me soon.
Greets form Mongolia,
Jo

08.07.2012
Hi, Sergey!

My name is Edén and I'm 21 years old. My boyfriend and I have started a trip, by train, from Moscow to Beijing, and we are now in Irkutsk, at another surfer`s place. We are from Spain and both of us are students of Fine Arts in Madrid.
I have done couchsurfing before, last summer in Marocco, but for Luis, it's the first time; however, he has a profile here (you can find it under the name of Luis Fernández, in Madrid). 
We know it is very sudden, but we have to wait until Monday to get Mongolian visas, so we would like to visit Okhon island while we wait. We are wondering if you could host us tonight. We carry with us two sleeping bags, so we just need a roof :)

Thanks in advance!

Eden and Luis.

07.07.2012
Bonjour

Nous sommes une famille francaise partie de France à vélo, il y a presque 3 mois. Nous sommes à St PPetersbourg et irons en train jusqu'à Irkoutsk. De là, je pense que nous reprendrons nos vélos pour atteindre l'ile en une semaine environ. Vers le 25 juillet, nous dvrions être sur l'ile et aimerions bien passer quelque temps avec vous. Nous avons 4 enfants...Et ne savons pas encore comment nous rejoindrons Ulan Ude puisque de là, nous pédalerons jusqu' à Ulan Bataar. On serait contents de pouvoir échanger et avoir des idées d'itinéraires réalistes pour la troupe.


06/07/2012
Hi! I'm an American teaching English in St. Petersburg, and I'm going to heading to Baikal in July.

July 7th to 25th, I'm going to meet some friends for a two week hike in the Sayan Mountains. I'll return to Irkutsk on July 26th, and relax on Olkhon Island for the weekend and see Baikal, and then head off back westward. 
Sergey,

You come highly recommended by people in Irkutsk! My name is Tristan, and I plan on visiting Olkhon island the last weekend in July. I'll have just finished a long hike, so I'm mostly going to relax and explore the island a bit.

I'll have my tent with me, so if you can tell me any good places to camp on the island that'd be great. Or if you have space available to host, that'd also be great!

Also, whats the easiest way to get there from Irkutsk?

Take care,
Tristan

05/07/2012
priwjet sergey!
im travelling with a friend (profil: silvia gobrecht) we just arrvied in irkutsk and will stay here a few days and then travel a month in russia and maybe mongolia. we would like to go to olkhon island. we dont know yet exactly when we will arrive... silvia speaks russian, she has been here twice. 
hope to hear from you soon!
poka poka, silvia i tanja 
silvia has been on olkhon before and thinks its the most beautiful place in the world :) so she would like to come back and i d like to get to know it! seems as you have a real cs-paradies created! we would really appriciate to stay at your house.

04.07.2012
Let me tell the story of me and Eda Bellek (profile: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/xxemeliee/). We are two 22 year old girls from Finland and Turkey studying law and international economics. Calling her my sister we hitch-hiked through sunshine and darkness, rain and snowfall, wind and cold temperatures for two weeks in January 2012 covering almost all of the Balkan countries only by hitch-hiking. 

Now we are planning something even greater we could have ever imagined before. An idea has grown into a project. This project is to travel by hitch-hiking from Turkey to Georgia, Russia, Mongolia, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Iran back to Turkey. We are only going to fly from Singapore to India. We 
our web page for this tour and we will update our blog regularly in Turkish and English. 

http://asiawaitsforus.weebly.com/

We're in Chelyabinsk tonight and we're heading to Omsk tomorrow morning ( I know it's last minute.. sorry) and will need a place to stay. Our phone number is +79880213074 so it's best if you call us because we'll have limited internet access on the road.

Me and my sis Eda Bellek http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/xxemeliee/ are coming to Baikal lake. I know it's last minute and all, but if you happen to read this during the next days please give us a call: +79880213074 we are out of credits because mtc is messing with us constantly and we've ran out of credits without doing anything with our phone.

Anyway, it would be great to meet up with you or even surf your couch over there (if not we'll camp out with the mosquitoes)

We are always keen on meeting people (it's hard making friends with the mosquitoes, they all become blood suckers at some point..) with different views on life and your philoxenia project seems very interesting. We'd like to get to know more of it first hand! We can contribute with crazy travel stories and countless of energy!

Cheers,

Laura
04.07.2012
Salut Sergey, nous voila arrives en Siberie! Nous partons de Krasnoyarsk demain soir et arrivons a Irkoutsk le 6 juillet au petit matin. Nous pensons donc arriver sur Olkhon ce meme jour, le 6/7, dans la journee. Est-ce que tu as deux petites places de libres pour nous?! Nous pensons rester environ 3 jours...

A bientot j'espere, Julien.

04/07/2012
Hi! We are 3 spanish people (two men and one girl). We will be doing the transiberian railway during this summer from Moscow to beijing. We want to visit Olkhon Island from aproximately 16 of july to 19 of july and as i was wondering if you can host us.
Thanks a lot
Julio
I think your place is really good for meeting people from the area and also other couchsurfers. And as I have read in the references, staying with you is a great experience

03/07/2012

Thank you so much for having me at your place. You are so welcoming and
kind. We didn't have enough time to talk to each other but we talked a lot
about you with the other CS. 
Ohlkon Island is amazing, I can't wait to see it during winter and
hopefully have the time to get to know you better.
If you ever come by Paris again, please contact me.
MERCI encore!
Matthieu
03/07/2012
Curiosity leads you everywhere :)

This is why Oliver and me (Franzi) decided to get on another adventure together and explore Asia with the transiberian train.

To gain a deeper insight of who I am please refer to: www.franzibecker.tumblr.com

With our ukulele in the bag we are always ready to meet great, adventurous, interesting and open minded people who love to share the (wander)lust in life as well :)

Our third stop is Irkutsk/ olkhon island and are still looking for someone to stay and have a great time together. 



Hello Sergey,

It is a pleasure to read your profile and all the warm-hearted references from people all over the world. We would love to get to know your community and thoughts behind it as well. 

Would you be able to host us two during the time mentioned in the request?

Sunniest from Germany and we hope to have a good time together soon :)

Franzi and olli 
03/07/2012
Thank you so much for everything!
You made this island to a very special place for us. We will never forget you and our time on Olkhon. We wish you and your family all the best. Best regards to Dmitri and his family.
Enrique and Marieke.

03.07.2012
Priviet Serguei,

Je m'appelle Igor Sollogoub, je suis français d'origine russe, j'habite à Paris, j'ai entendu parlé de vous par Marina Loukine et Dimitri Lefoulon-Eltchaninoff qui ont passé du temps avec vous au mois de décembre dernier. Ce sont de très bons amis d'enfance que je connais depuis toujours par le milieu orthodoxe de Paris et l'ACER. Ils ont énormément apprécié leur séjour chez vous, et leur expérience incroyable en Sibérie m'a poussé à entreprendre moi même ce voyage. Je serai donc autour du lac Baïkal du 14 au 20 aout, en compagnie d'un ami et de Nina Lefoulon, la soeur de Dimitri. Nous voulions savoir s'il serait possible d'être hébergé dans votre chalet pendant cette semaine.
De plus j'ai appris que vous aviez étudié à Saint Serge et que vous étiez un grand ami de Bertrand Vergely, que j'aime beaucoup. Cela m'intéresserait beaucoup d'échanger avec vous, et nous serons à Olkhon pour la fête de la transfiguration, ce qui serait un belle occasion de chanter et fêter ensemble.
D'avance, merci beaucoup, et en espérant vous rencontrer cet été.
Igor Sollogoub

02/07/2012
Dear Sergei and family,

thanks for your very nice informations whenever a parcel reaches Olkhon. For us is your joy, and especially the children something spezial, and we can feel it, and we are inspirit  with them.
Our holiday is not so far, so we slowly prepare us for the trip to Kamchatka. The first 3 Days we will spend in Mocow 24-27.08, then starts the adventure Kamchatka from 28.08 for 10 days and then over Khabarowsk to Ulan Ude. We will reach Ulan Ude by train from Khabarowsk on 11.09.12 and will stay for an night in Geser hotel, then we go to Ust Barguzin for 3 nights and then back tu Ulan Ude on 15.09, where we will spend the last night in same hotel. 16.09 mornig we leave and flay back home. So welook forward to seeing Russia - Kamtschtka - Lake Baikal, and hope not the last time.

Best wishes to you, your family, the community and all the children on Olkhon

Konny & Christian

29/06/2012
Sergey, Merci mille fois pour ce que tu nous a offert. Philoxenia a ete pour nous un lieu de rencontres, de discussions, de rigolades, de musique, d'ouverture... Nous nous souviendrons longtemps de tous ces moments passes avec toi, ta famille et les nombreux voyageurs! Bravo pour ce que tu entreprends, ce que tu construis jour apres jour (et ce que tu permets de construire) est merveilleux. Nous quittons Philoxenia avec tristesse, mais tu nous a donne de l'espoir et du courage pour continuer notre route. Encore merci, et au revoir.
Nicolas et Lalaina.


29/06/2012

A wonderful way to relax and enjoy Olkhon Island in a unique couchsurfing
set up. Sergey is a treasure! Thanks for letting me stay.

Margo Snyder 

28/06/2012

Thanks for your hospitality!
The best views of the island are from your church!
I loved talking to you on Mount Athos.
We went to say goodbye and you were not.
A big hug from a pilgrim from Argentina.
Thanks for everything!
José María

28.06.2012
Hi Sergey:
I'm an expat American teaching English in a Chinese kindergarten in Chengdu. I plan a bicycle trip next spring and summer to Mongolia and then Russia, to Irkutsk. I also want to visit your island. I am writing you to inquire if there are any possible ways to stay there long-term as an English teacher. I'm not necessarily looking for a paying job and would welcome a barter-share arrangement where I could serve a community as an ESL instructor in exchange for lodging and food, with a possible small stipend for pocket money. If such a situation seems possible to you I could forward my resume to pass around to anyone interested. Of course, I am visiting anyway but am leaving China, will turn 60 next year, and would love to live in the Lake Baikal area. Any advice or suggestions you can find time to send me would be much appreciated. I hope to meet you in the future.
Dhane


28.06.2012
Hello,
28.06.2012
Hello Sergey,
I am Friedemann from Germany, exactly from the beutifull city Dresden. I am a student of german and russian culture and literature studys. This summer, i am planning my fourth trip to russia, but it will be my first time in the asian part of this huge country. I gonna participate on an international ornitological/botanical laboratory of the University of Irkutsk, which will take place at the baikal. Its from the 22. of August till the 7. of september. But I am in the region already from th 19. of August till 18. of September to explore Irkutsk and Ulan Ude, which will be my place to departe. 
Its a dream, I had for long time, to see the Baikal, and if you could host me, ore just meet me for a special thing, you wante to show me, in the time before or after my project, it would be just wonderfull!!!!
I am Friedemann from the nice city you are born in: Dresden.
My plans are already explained, I will come to the baikal to participate in a project of the University of Irkutsk, after that I would like to travell a bit around the baikal...I was just looking on the map, if I would find some couchsurfers, which are not living in the bigger citys, and I found you, I really fall in love with the pictures you posted, and I startet reading about the island, and it was so interesting, that I decided, that I have to see your special place, you live in!!!
I am presumably travelling alone, if not somebody of the project will joyn me, I decided to start alone from my hometown, because I think, that way, I am more opened, for new situations!!!
Do you think you have the possibility to host me for some days in the period from the 7. September to the 19. of september....I am not quit sure, about my plans, till now, i am not able to tell you the exact days!!!
Thank you for posting this pictures, and would be happy, to get an answer of you!!!
Friedemann

27.06.2012
Bonjour Sergey, je m'appelle Vincent et je suis Québécois. Je traverserai prochainement la russie par le trans-siberien d'ouest en est afin de poursuivre mon voyage vers la Chine. Après avoir vu des photos de l'île d'Olkhon, j'ai décidé de m'y arrêter pour quelque jours. 
J'ai parcouru quelque uns des sites (liens) que tu as mis sur ton profil. Tu sembles avoir créé un vrai coin de paradis sur l'île et je serais très content que tu acceptes de m'y acceuillir. J'ai aussi vu que tu fonctionne "premier arrivé, premier servi" cependant, je voulais tout de même t'envoyer une demande  en bonne et due forme :).

Bonne journée! J'espère avoir de tes nouvelles bientôt!.
Vincent


27.06.2012
Just one more positive reference ??? how could it be negative when you see
how serguei's place is so welcoming for travellers ...
the point here is at the hedge of couchsurfing mentality, really meant to
rely on share and good mood, and it gives to the magic of olkhon island some
very nice spice ! thanks for all !
masy


27.06.2012
Hi Sergey!!
So I'm in Irkursk and I'll try to take a bus on the morning (27/06) to meet you on your island. 
Do you have any advice for me ??
I'm looking forward to seeing you soon!!!
Have a good day.
Matthieu

27.06.2012
Hi Sergey, 

I am sorry but my mom and I have changed our travel plans. She will only be in Irkutsk for 4 days which will not be enough time to see both Olkhon Island and the city of Irkutsk.

But, I will travel to Olkhon sometime in the future. I hope to meet you then!

Thank you again, 
Laura 

26.06.2012
Cher Sergei,
Hélas, nous n'avons pas pu te souhaiter un chaleureux "au revoir" comme tu le mérites puisaue grâce à ton hospitalité et gentillesse, ce séjour sur l'île d'Olkhon s'est avéré un énor,e succès qui restera très longtemps gravé dans nos mémoires! Trés bonne continuation, bien à ta famille et à toi, Pierre et Thomas

26.06.2012
Merci beaucoup Sergei pour ces quelques jours passés sur l'île d'Olkhoune
qui sans ta générosité, n'auraient pas été aussi sympathiques!
Je me souviendrai longtemps de cette nuit sous la grange autour d'un feu de
camp et avec une guitare pour alimenter nos chants espagnols, anglais,
russes et français!

Merci encore pour tout et avec Thomas te souhaitons une très très bonne
continuation et beaucoup d'avenir pour ta petite communauté!

A bientôt, 

Pierre.

26/06/2012

Thanks a lot Sergei for having hosted us. Your creation is definitely more
than a simple hosting place, it's just a shame that we couldn't stay longer
to learn more about this place, the island and yourself actually cause
we're sure you have such a lot of things to teach!!! 
Thanks for the experience anyway
Hope to see you again

Cheers
Antoine & Vivir 

26.06.2012

hi:) this is Jennifer from Hong Kong. I am 22, currently in my third year of university, majoring Culture. I love travelling a lot and have been to most of the countries in Europe and south east Asia. I am right now on a mainland china train to Inner Mongolia, will cross border to Russia from Manzhouli. I would to visits some parts of Russia and my distinction will be Irkutsk. 

I would really love to stay in a Russian family to know more about Russia and experience your culture. It will be fun if I can stay with u for a few days. I think this will be such a wonderful way to travel to Baikai lake and the Island!
I really looking forward to hearing back from you. Thanks:)
Jennifer

25.06.2012
Bonjour,
Merci de nous avoir répondu si vite.
On est ravi de pouvoir vous rencontrer durant notre périple. On vous rappelle quand on arrive à Irkoutsk : on devrait être là mi septembre. En attendant bonne continuation.
Bien à vous.
Aurelia et Nicolas

25.06.2012
Hello,
We are going a world trip tour and we are starting from Russia on september.
We arrived in Olkhon on september around 11th.
We are a married couple, curious about all (people, culture, musique…)
We have our own sleeping bag and we can sleep on the floor.
We would like to stay 5 or 6 days in Olkhon before to go to Mongolia. 
Why writing to you ?
Because you look friendly, curious and overmost, we have a good feeling. We like your philosophy. We can help you in building activities ad we can speak french with you: évidement on est francais...
We hope to meet you soon, 
Aurelia and Nicolas


24.06.2012

It's hard to imagine more impressive place in the world! The most colorfull
sky in the Earth reflected in the pure surface of the Baikal lake! And of
course Sergey's place in the middle ! Lovely house on the hill with
beautiful landscape! Perfect russian house full of french spirit and good
oppurtinity to meet other travelers:) Sergey! big respect for you and all
couchsurfers who helped you with this idea! I hope I will back someday and
put more effort to make PhiloXenia unforgettable for everyone! :)
Magdalena

24.06.2012
 
Sergey, The place that you offer to people is just amazing. I felt like in
wonderworld (island!).
We didn't get the chance to talk a lot. But to met other travellers to
share our experiences it is very nice and in a idealistic place what can I
ask more.
See you anytime soon .... I was thinking about December!
Cerine Abdallah

24/06/2012
Sergey! Thank you for everything! You cannot imagine how important for me were those days at your place :-) You helped me so much! Even if you didn't plan to :-) 
I am sad that we didn't say goodbye to each other, but I'll be back really soon, I just have to find some deeper reason than having fun with CS guests. See you soon and say the same to your wife :-) Good luck!!!

23/06/2012
We are two french students heading to Russia so we can travel throughout the country with the transsiberian train way down to Beijing in China!... 
Hey Sergey!
We are two French friends on our way to Beijing and are willing to meet new people, do new stuff, discover new cultures...and that's why we planned to stop 3 nights in Okhoule Island, especially to discover the great nature of Lake Baikal!

Currently staying in Irkutsk at Alex and Lea's place -whom you already had on the phone-, they told us about you, "the one and only couch surfer on the island"!
We will be delighted to meet new people from Siberia, on our way to Mongolia!

So we need somebody nice enough to host us three :)
and here's the deal: if ever you come to France, be sure enough to come in our places! two people hosted are two times more places to go in France!

See ya hopefully soon!


22.06.2012
Sergey has a real hospitality spirit, he even have a house just for the
guests and you can participate in lot's of activities there. Always full of
guests, that place is a perfect example of sharing goods, music and
emotions. See you Sergey.
FilipAndNevena

22.06.2012
Hey Sergey

This is MiMi from Hong Kong. Hmm, I’m 23 yrs old and this is my third year at work after graduation. Back at school I was a travelholic. I’ve been exchanging in Sweden for half year but spend almost 4 months traveling around Europe. The best part of being a student is that I was free to go anywhere, free to skip class and travel. I did another 37 day trip in South Eastern Europe before I graduate. It was surely the best memories I had. Wandering free in the big big world. 

Now that I’m among the working class, begging the boss to take leave for a short trip & trying to protect my ‘travel-around-the-world-dre
22.06.2012
Hello Sergey!

Last week I started a half-year trip through Russia and Asia, hoping to meet lots of new people, find adventure and to broaden my view of the world. I love the beauty of nature and therefore I planned Olkhon Island as part of my trip. It seems to be a beautiful place. 
Although you were the only host I could find on Olkhon Island, this is absolutely not the reason I hope you can host me. From what I understand (my french is not so good and my Russian very bad) you (you personally and the people that help you) are working on a beautiful cause. Although not religious, I am very interested to know more about it and to contribute. Of course I would want to see more of the Island than your project, but I would very much like to do more! Also, if you cannot host me, please let me know if I can still contribute during my stay at Olkhon.

Best wishes,

Jeffrey

22.06.2012

Bonjour Serguei!
Merci pour cette reponse ultra rapide! Nous allons avec grand plaisir venir vous voir et entendre les cloches! Pour le logement merci pour les contacts.

Au plaisir!

Elise

21.06.2012

http://www.katzenpfad.de/?p=118805



20.06.2102
Bonjour Sergey,

comment ca va?

moi tres bien,

J'ai envoyé par poste vos livres hier (sylvain tesson et tarkovsky), je m'excuse d'avoir attendu si longtemps 

En Juillet je vais commencer le tournage d'un film sur le lac Baïkal et ses habitants. J'aimerais avoir une entretien avec vous, croiyez-vous que cela est possible? Ce film n'est pas un film sur la nature, mais sur l'homme russe, sur l'âme russe et sur l'importance que le grand espaces ont eu dans la formation d'une âme si profonde et particulière comme c'est l'âme russe. J'aimerais parler avec vous, Sergey, de spiritualité, de philosophie, de l'histoire de la russie et du Christianisme et avoir dans le fond les merveilleux lac Baïkal.

Que pensez-vous?

Je vous embrasse et vous souhaite ainsi qu'à votre famille une bonne journée

Marco

18.06.2012
Sergey and his family not only live in one of the most amazing place, but
they are so generous and welcoming by giving us for few days or more his so
charming house next to his own! It's a lot of work to do there and I regret
I didn't plan sooner and could have come for more time. Also it's good
exercices as not everything is under your reach like in big cities. If you
go to his place, you might enjoy that marvellous place, and if possible
stay longer as there's so much good things to do there!
I hope I could come back in the future

Chris


18/06/2012
Hi Sergey,

We're a french couple, travelling for a while now : 19 months through Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and we're now in Mongolia. On our way back to France we will take the transmongolian/transsiberian railway from Ulan Batoor to Irkutsk, then keep going to Moscow and St Petersburg before getting our flight back to France !!! So we'd like to know if you could host us for a few nights at your place on the Olkhon Island, we'll arrive on June 22nd in Irkutsk, and we should be on your island the 23rd or 24th.

Well, let us know your plans
We met a french guy in Mongolia called Thomas, who told us that he went to your place and had a very good time, he seemed very happy of his experience with you and really recommended us to go to your place.
Cheers

Antoine & Virginie 

18.06.2012
Hi Sergey,
I am traveling through Russia on the Trans-Siberian railroad as part of a journey arounnd the world

About me: I left my job in pharmaceutical clinical research in March to travel and expand my mind outside of my cubicle in Chicago. I had 2 goals - to ride the trans-siberian railroad and to speak Spanish. So, I started in SE Asia so that I would not get stuck in South America. It has been a wild ride so far. 

I met Charmi (usa) on the train from Ulanbataar and we discovered that we will both be on olkhon island at the same time. I will be arriving on Tuesday afternoon, June 19 from irkutsk and I am wondering whether there is still room for one more at the church? I am new to CS but looking forward to some of the stays i have set up in Russia.

Thanks! Margo

17.06.2012
Bonjour Sergeï,

Je suis au milieu d'un voyage d'un an en Asie, et un ami me rejoint de France demain matin a Irkoutsk. Nous arrivons sur Olkhon le 19 probablement. Nous avions prevu d'aller chez Nikita, mais je couchsurfe chez Andrei a Irkutsk qui m'a parlé de toi, donc je t'envoie quand même un message... je ne sais pas exactement pour quoi en fait: que ce soit une semaine ou une journée chez toi (ou n'importe quelle combinaison avec des nuits chez Nikita), un verre de the pres de l'eglise ou un cours de carillonage, tout est le bienvenu!

Paka

Arnaud

17.06.2012
Привет Сергей!

It was been a dream few years long to visit Baikal and Olkhon, and finally I'm able to make my dream real. Together with that I will unite my passion about trains, so I'm coming all the way from Belgrade to Baikal and back by train. :) I'm arriving to Irkutsk on 16.07. in the evening and leaving on 24.07., so between those dates I'm flexible to come to the island, if you have a free place to host me. 
When I first thought about Olkhon, I never thought there is a CS member there. But there is one, and obviously, not an ordinary one. After I red your website and all the comments and references, my dream to come to Baikal and Olkhon, became even bigger. I really like that you have a church. I'm a conductor, and I'm sorry because I can't come with a choir to sing sacral music in your church, but maybe some day, who knows...:) I was also wondering, do you have your own choir in Olkhon? I will be really glad to have an opportunity to meet you and to talk with you. I think we will have topics do discuss...:)

Hope to hear from you soon.
All the best!
Greetings from Belgrade
Yours
Rasha
16.06.2012
Such a strong place and such a strong man. Sergei would be forever relating
to Baikal as for me. The spirit of the Island is everywherer, on each
stone, tree, flower and in Sergei's soul. Thank you for this nice moment, I
couldnt imagin such best week on Olkhon.
While lightening a candle in your church before my departure I really
desired on that moment to come back one day again!
Clemenceau Adrien


16.06.2012
Introduce yourself and explain a bit about your trip? Ok, we can do it:)
We are 28-24 years young boy and a girl who finally quit our jobs, everybody telling us-don't do it, it's a hard times, people would be glad to have jobs like yours, you don't now how lucky you are (that is situation in our state), but we are lucky to have etch other and leave that "hard times" behind us for a while.
And now, we met one lovely couple from Irkutsk, who pick us from the street and open the door of their home for us. They are working during week and decided to visit Island with us cause they didn't been before. 
And Sergey, we heard lot about you and your place from travelers we met on this journey and think it would be great to take a look at your way of life surrounded by nature and most beautiful lake. 
We can offer you some help if you needed about something that's familiar to us, or things we can learn from you. 
And, cause we are coming from Irkutsk, if you need something to pick for you - just tell.
Thanks anyway and take care,
Filip&Nevena
Sergey&Zoja

15.06.2012
Bonjour Sergey,
actuellement a Irkutsk, je profite de mes vacances pour parcourir un petit bout de la Russie en transsiberien avec une amie de la faculte de medecine (nous venons toutes les deux de terminer notre premiere annee de medecine a Paris). Partie pour 3 semaines de voyage, je suis donc allee quelques jours a Moscou, a Kazan et a Ekaterinbourg. l etape principale du voyage, la plus importante, est Olkhone! j arrive demain a Olkone (a Khujir) et retourne a Irkutsk le 19 juin. 

mon profil n est pas tres bien fait car c est en rencontrant Matthieu Lecarpentier a Kazan, lors d une reunion de couchsurfers que j ai decide de m inscrire sur ce site! 
je serai tres heureuse de passer ces quelques jours a Olkhon dans ton auberge de routards couchsurfers pour profiter au mieux de cette ile que les gens disent extraoridinaire!
d apres ce que j ai compris, tu as construit avec d autres coushsurfers une maison tres ouverte aux voyageurs qui aiment echanger leurs experiences et leurs histoires. ce serait une grande chance de pouvoir partager quelques jours une telle experience!
pardonne moi de te contacter si tardivement,
dans l espoir d une reponse positive,

Anna Coulange

15/06/2012
Hi, Sergey!
I and my girl friend are tourists from S. Korea.
We heard about you from Peter who is a magician and met you couple of weeks ago.
He recommended us to meet you. We would like to meet you.

Also we would like to stay in your place for a night if you don't mind.
We will be arrived in the island at 18th, June.
We are going to stay in Nikita's accommodation for two nights.

Looking for your reply.

Best regards.
Bumm and Soo

15.06.2012
How can I even begin to give Sergey an only positive reference - there
should be something more than just positive - how about a super duper
reference? 

Olkhon was by far the highlight of our around the world trip. We were lucky
enough to actually spend time with Sergey and get to know a truly
remarkable man.

He is a great host and will generally leave people to their own devices but
when they show interest in his amazing life he is so willing to share his
experiences and thoughts. 

I truly hope our paths will cross again.
Evelyn Osborne


15/06/2012
Хорошо.
У меня такой план:
в субботу с 9 до 21 мне нужно будет работать, примерно час через два мне нужно будет подключаться к электросети для зарядки ноутбука.
И в ночь с воскресенья на понедельник мне тоже нужен будет доступ к электричеству и, желательно место для сна рядом.

пару дней до и пару дней после я буду путешествоввать по Ольхону, работать не нужно будет.

Могу ли я расчитывать на вашу помощь в суббот днем и в воскресенье ночью?

Это только план, не привязанный к числам пока, осуществлять думаю июне-июле-августе.

14/06/2012

We were told about Sergey's project by two other travellers and it was one
of the most fortuitous things to happen to us. Segey accepted our request
and we were able to stay at his place. It was a fantastic experiance as we
met other travellers and got to see the beautiful island of Olkhon. It was
one of the best times of our trip!
Steven


13.06.2012

Здравствуйте, Сергей.
Хочу поинтересоваться ситуацией относительно энергоснабжения острова, в частности пос.Хужир и того места, где находитесь Вы.
Интересуюсь потому что задумал отдохнуть на острове, но мне необходимо электричество для зарядки ноутбука, чтобы работат ьвремя от времени с острова. Интернет-подключение я нашел, теперь дело за малым - найти источник энергоснабжения чтобы поддерживать ноутбук в заряженном состоянии.

Наскольо стабильно электроснабжение, есть ли время когда его не подают (днём, например)?

13/06/2012
hello,
i'm traveling from france to Mongolia by train to take my time and enjoy each country. the target of my travel is to see the przewalski horses in the wild and study them. I'm doing osteopathy on horses, and i really like natural medecin, but my real passion is traveling! i cannot stay a long time in a plac the world is to big, i need to see the most as i can! Well i'm really open minding, like meeting people around the world who can help me or teach me some new things. 

hi!
i meet a frensh guy yesterday who told me about u!!! i want to make a try in okhlon island, but i have a tente, i just want to walk around and may have a sleep in your place! but i don't know exactly when i will be in your house!!! 
well of course if it's ok for u!!!!! 

13/06/2012
Hi Sergey, Im Tim, im 21 just finished travelling round South america for 3 months and NZ for a month. Ive just finished the chinese section of my trip doing the TransSiberian going From Shanghai to London in 2 months. I will then be coming back to Melbourne to work from September.

Before that I studied Music Business at Uni in the UK finishing last August, basically Im really into music (never actually sorted myself out and learnt an instrument), aiming to get work in Music Festivals, when I come back to melbourne. 

I like to think of myself as Open Minded, kind, interested, fun and massive music fan, 
Wow, your project really is amazing, I have to admit I'm not really religious, but I really don't think you have to be to respect your cause and your obvious devotion to it.

Sorry this is such late notice, If you happen to still have some space that'd be really amazing, as I'd love the opportunity to get involved in helping out for a few days and you seem like a lovely guy from the reviews. I have to say i'm not particularily sure what knowledge or experience I can add to this but I honestly am up for getting involved in anyway I can help!

Thanks So Much for taking the time to read this
Take It easy
Tim Grut

p.s. If these dates dont suit but a few less days/ a few days later would be better that'd be fine with me as Id really like to not miss out on getting involved if at all possible.

13/06/2012
Hi Sergey,

I have spent some time in ukraine and this is my first trip to russia. I have been studying tai chi for 2 months in China and would be happy to share some of that. 

I like to share skills and would be happy to be a part of your community for a little bit of time. I have a tent so can camp if your house is cramped. Also interested in shamanism, I know that summer solstice is a special time on the island. If these dates don't work I can move them around.

Sincerely,
Joshua

12/06/2012
Que dire et en quelle langue, tant sergei en parle... But i will say it in
english, universal language as this character. What to say more that was
not wrote yet. 
Deep, generous and.... funny. There is a big whole to dig...
 David Bilbault 

12/06/2012
Dear Sergey
We are two Finnish girls who works in St Petersburgh, my friend is Elina Vallas (also in Cs).
We are flying from Moscow and will be in Irkutsk early morning on 8.of July. We plan to stay in Irkutsk for one night and then come to visit Olkhon Island.
We would be happy if you can accommodate us in your wonderful place. The dates would be 9.-12.7. but can be flexible if we want to stay longer perhaps. Could you offer us a place to stay?

Your place sounds interesting and beautiful. And as a person and host very kind and big hospitality. I hope to see you!
-Hanna

12/06/2012
Dear Sergey,

Hello! My name is Charmila, I'm 23 and I'm from Seattle, WA. Right now I am in Mongolia, but I will travel by train from Ulaanbaatar to Irkutsk this Friday, the 15th, and then I plan to come to Olkhon Island to see beautiful Lake Baikal on Monday the 18th. I would like to stay on Olkhon Island for one or two days before I return to Irkutsk and I would love to stay with you and your family if you are free to host! 
I read through your website, and everything you are doing sounds amazing. Your church is very beautiful and the story of how it came to be is truly spectacular. I would love to come and stay with you and to learn more about your church and the history behind it.

Please let me know if you would be free to host, and even if not, I hope to come to your church for service and to meet you!

All the best,
Charmila

05/06/2012 Привет! hey, im from Poland, and im going for the trip to Baikal. This is my first time when im gonna travel completely alone, that was always my dream to see Baikal! Im coming to Irkutsk at 13.06, then i would like to stay there for maybe one night and go too see LAKE! Even if you can not host me please give me some advices where should I go to see the most beautiful places? Im coming to Irkutsk at 13.06 and leaving from Ulan Ude or Irkutsk at 22.06 Philoxenia looks just amazing! It would be wonderful if you would found some place for me for 1-3 nights, i am really sorry that i can not say exactly which days, but it will be around 15-17.06:) Paulina 05/06/2012 Hails to you people of Russia! I am traveling by train in Siberia during the months of June/July/August, as I will be working in the Altaï during the months of July/August in a scientific expedition, studying the impact of the weather on alpine plants. It's been more than 10 years that I've wanted to go East, admiring the eastern cultures and beholding their magnificent nature. I am really looking forward to that journey, as I've been dying to meet the Slavic and Siberian cultures for years! At the same time, I would really enjoy on my way to visit Irkutsk, meet the people there and if possible, behold the Great Baikal. Also, having fun hanging out with you or discussing about our very world is one of my project. I can enjoy many things, just a walk in the wild or in a park, debating about loads of subjects, visiting museum or expression of local and national cultures, sharing ways of life and experiences and of course, improving my Russian. I think I'm a quite open minded guy and that I can share a lot with everyone. If you can, please help me make that journey wonderful, as I'll do my best to make our time together great! I'll arrive in Иркутске by train and will leave a few days after by the transiberian line when it is convenient for you. So if you can please host me during a few nights, that will really help me out :) Salut Serguey! Bon baahh j'essaye quand meme, tu dois avoir beaucoup de demandes vu l'endroit magnifique ou tu habites> Voila un peu sur mon projet donc, et sinon les centres d'interets communs sont assez clairs, la nature, sa protection, la vie rurale, et la barbe! :D Si cela te dit, ce serait une honneur pour moi d'etre heberge par toi, et venir rendre hommage a cette ile sacree. De plus, je pourrais essayer d'allonger mon sejour si besoin, et travaillez pour vous et pour l'ile. Si tu n'as pas de place, n'hesite pas a transmettre ma demande a des habitants aue tu connais et qui seraient interesses! A bientot peut etre! Chris 05/06/2012 If there were a positive x10 option I would take it. Sergey's project is exceptional: he has become the guardian of a little church in the heart of shamanic land. He puts up travelers who visit and is exceptionally gracious, intelligent and spirited. What a tremendous place to raise a family! Sergey's space is both blessed and a blessing. The most unforgettable thing is the bells. Sergey's bell ringing, each morning, and throughout the day simply stops you in your tracks. It is awesome, and profoundly beautiful. It is an honor and a priviledge to stay here and to meet this remarkable man and his wonderful family. Sublime. Peter Duchemin 01/06/2012
Hi there in OLKHON, 

Im traveling through Russia this month. My plan is to go all the way to Moscow and then to Northern Europe.
I am planning to go to Olkhon on Sunday and stay for 3days to a week.
Is it possible to stay at your place?
From you personal description, I checked out your website. Although i cannot read it your photos looked so amazing. 
Gonj


31/05/2012 Hi there,
I am a Philosopher, Phd student, and magician. I am from Newfoundland, Canada. My wife and I are traveling around the world in 2012. 
Hi there, thought I'd drop you a note. I am Evelyn Osborne's (who has been corresponding with you) husband, and I am looking forward to visiting you and Olkhon Island in general.I am a student of magic, shamanism, mysticism and philosophy, and something about Olkhon feels very magnetic to me. I have a little travelling magic show I do, as well, and I would be happy to perform it for you and you friends and family! Looking forward to meeting you;
-Peter

31.05.2012
Hi Sergey,
We have filter glasses and a solar filter on our telescope. It takes 6 hours so there is lots of time to see the transit. Peter says that a level 14 welders glasses are safe for looking at the sun.

We just arrived in mongolia and instead of being able to stay for a few days we have to leave tomorrow or risk missing the transit on Olkhon island (where we really want to be for it). Is there any chance it would be okay to show up early on the 3rd? like I said we also have a tent and only need a piece of ground - although indoors is always nice if it's possible.

we will be at the train station for noon tomorrow in UB. and arrive in Irkutsk on the 2nd. I'm trying to book a hostel for that night and catch the bus on the 3rd. as Olkhon is our big destination we figured we'd like to spend more time there.

I'll check email tomorrow morning and then again on the 2nd from Irkutsk.

Looking forward to seeing you on Olkhon island and meeting people there!
cheers
Evelyn and Peter


30/05/2012
Hello Sergey
I am traveling with the transiberian train (Sanct Petersburg to Beijing). I don't know the russian language, so I hope to finde people how speaks english or an other language.... I would like to have contacte with russian people!
Wow, your site sounds very interessting! I will come to Olkhon around the 8 or 9 June. Thene I think I will stay for about 3 or 4 days. What are you thinking about...did you have space in this time to receive me?
Greetings Maya

30/05/2012
Hi Sergey
I'm Cerine 23 years old french girl who live in Moscow for my study.
I really want to visit Irkutsk and Baikal Lakke I heard good thing about it.
I'm planning to go to Baykal lake then on my way back to Yekaterinburg.
I read lot of things about Transsiberian. I'm very excited to finally travel with it.
One week ago I was at Kazan. I just felt in love with this city. I'm sure Russia has lot of thing to show and sadly in France it is not that famous. But once I'll be back I'll promote Russia.
I'm not alone I'm with an other french girl Estelle and a Polish girl Magdalena. They are as adventurous as I am. and we want to discover the maximum of this country.
You can check my profile and if you have any questions, be my guest!!
It will more than interesting to know how this Philoxenia works and if you need our help we will be more than glad to contribute to this project.

I am sure that you have great story to tell about living on this island and the different people we are already hosted.

Cheers

Cerine

28.05.2012
this is a real couchsurfing paradise! they hosted us and our friend for
about one week and it was the perfect place to stay, explore the
surrounding, meet other couchssurfers and to feel the spirit of this
beautiful special island! we will never forget the daily music of the bells
done by the little child... thanks a lot!
Lili and Lilith 

27.05.2012
the venus transit will happen during the day on June 6 - Venus crosses the sun - it's just a little black dot but it's a very rare astronomical occurrence, it only happens every 120 years and then 8 years apart - the last one was in 2004 but on the other side of the earth - this one is here on June 6 
take care and see you with Venus!
Evelyn

26/05/2012
Et bien c'est super sympa! On te tient informé de nos déplacements à Olkhon, nous avons bien hâte .
Ca serait vraiment super de rencontrer les enfants aussi, nous parlerons de cela aux institutrices, peut-être qu'elles pourront préparer quelques dessins pour ces enfants,

à bientôt et merci beaucoup! 
Lalaina et Nicolas


25/05/2012
Bonjour Sergey,

Nous nous appelons Nicolas et Lalaina. 
Nous voyageons depuis le début du mois de mai en Europe du Nord (nous t'écrivons de Stockholm). Nous souhaitons ensuite rentrer en Russie début juin et rejoindre le lac Baikal aux alentours du 15 juin. Nous projetons ensuite d'aller en Mongolie, en Chine et peut-être en Indonésie.

Nous voulons rencontrer un maximum de gens durant ce voyage, vivre de nouvelles expériences, découvrir de nouvelles façons de vivre.. Nous aimons (particulièrement) la musique (on voyage avec un petit Ukulélé pour essayer de jouer un peu en route), la cuisine, l'écologie, discuter, ...

Nous ne savons pas exactement quand nous arriverions, ce serait probablement autour du 14 juin. Nous souhaiterions rester autour du Baikal environ 13 jours. 
Nous sommes des amis de Marjolaine et Sébastien (Eskanouil') qui sont venu chez toi en Octobre 2011. Ils nous ont dit tout le bonheur qu'ils ont eu à partager ces moments avec toi.
Nous avons alors regardé ton profil sur le site de CouchSurfing et cela nous donne très envie de te rencontrer. Nous trouvons ton projet d'accueil de voyageurs extraordinaire et nous serions très heureux d'y contribuer.
Voici le lien des blogs sur notre voyage si tu veux avoir une idée un peu plus précise :
- pour les grands : http://desrailsetdesnotes.wordpress.com/
- pour les enfants (car nous avons un projet avec une école en France) : http://desrailsetdesmomes.wordpress.com/

Nous espérons te rencontrer bientôt !
Lalaina et Nicolas


25.05.2012
Bonjour Serguei!

Je suis Bérengère, j'ai eu le privilège (et je pèse mes mots) d'avoir pu dormir chez vous pendant deux, trois nuits au début du mois janvier dernier. J'étais venue avec Emmanuel d'Irkoutsk et un couple franco-espagnol.
Ce fut vraiment génial ces quelques jours, j'ai les photos ici à Ekaterinbourg qui me les rappellent sans cesse, et puis je vous avoue que je n'arrive pas non plus à oublier Chess.

J'ai la chance d'avoir trois amis qui viennent me voir début août, et je leur ai donné rdv à l'aéroport d'Irkoutsk, vous voyez peut-être où je veux en venir!
J'ai très envie qu'ils découvrent Olkhon et moi, de revoir votre paradis sans tapis blanc et de faire de longues balades avec Chess. Et puis, j'ai en retard quelques séances de bricolage...

Est-ce que je peux vous demander de nous accueillir quelques jours au début du mois d'août? Hélas, ce sera l'été car j'ai depuis appris à couper avec beaucoup de dextérité les bûches, si si.

Sincèrement, je me suis sentie extrêmement bien chez vous, merci encore. J'espère que tout va bien pour vous et votre petite famille.

Un saludo, à bientôt j'espère,
Bérengère

25.05.2012
Privet Sergey!

My name is Elias, I am a student from Switzerland and going to China with the transsiberian railway, stopping many places. I try to put some hitchhiking and time in nature to my timetable as well :). In total i will be travelling 3 months.

Now, maybe you have a sleeping place for me inbetween Friday and Sunday? 
I bring a sleeping bag and sleeping mat with me. And I know a bit of Russian language, so should have no problems finding your place on my own. 
I plan to hitchhike to Olkhon from Irkutsk and can leave here only around noon, so may be in Olkhon in the late evening.

I will check internet only tomorrow morning, please rather write me an sms :)
Im looking forward to your answer, best regards,
Elias 
As I understand you are building a place for CS? I am thinking about coming to Olkhon for longer time maybe 4 weeks alter and would like to have a look at it already now. If you have some work for me on saturday, this would be cool!Accept this request?
24 May 2012
Hi Sergey
Nicolas Pernot suggested that I write to you as me and my husband are coming to Olkhon in early June so that we can see the venus transit (the rarest astronomical occurrence. I'm a musician (violin/fiddle) from newfoundland, canada. We are ialso interested in shaminism. I have put down from the 5th to the 8th but that is the longest we would stay and we may leave earlier. 
Nicholas recommended you and that you are interested in music. Also your profile looks really interesting. The bells look fantastic. My battery is dying so I could go on but I sincerley hope to meet you.
take care
Evelyn 22 May 2012 - 5:42 pm

21\05\2012
Welcome Sergey, I'm on the move in search of all manner of wonders. :) I started from Warsaw, Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, Saint-Petersburg, Petrozawodsk, Moscow, Baikal now. We want travelling in Bajkal 16 days :). We're going to look, meet great people. We go together, best friends. Each has its own backpack, sleeping bag, some cosmetics, lots of smiles and positive energy. Dorothy - open to diversity, thirsty for learning, the support of positive emotions :). He wants to feel a different scent every day, see you smile. He wants to give and take right. He wants to further transfer this good. :) I sleep in all conditions :). Sophia - Energy bomb :), the best cook and hostess :) You can always count on her, is unearthly :). Internet gives us the opportunity to learn the truth and only believe it. From our side we guarantee of problems and lot of fun. Dori & Sofia :)
You have very nice photos. I think you are very warm and open person. :) We are nice Polish girls. We can cook Polish dinner :) We want travelling aroud Bajkal lake and your island :). We want stay in Olchon 3 days but we stay in Bajkal 16 days :)
Dorota Pichowicz

16\05\2012
Hi Sergey
I am on a trip around the world. I started in Hong Kong/Macau and then headed up to Mongolia then through Russia to Europe.

I have hosted a few CSers back home in New Zealand and have had great experiences showing people around.

Now I wish to couch surf around the world and experience different cultures through the lives of locals. 

2 of us will be travelling to Olkhon on May 18th for 2 nights and a looking for a place to stay.

You look like a great guy and I would love to visit Philoxenia and see what a great place that Olkhon Island is! 

Also, is there a ferry on May 18th from Listvyanka or Bolshie Koty or do we have to catch the bus from Irkutsk?

Hope to hear soon!

16\05\2012
Hello,
I am David from France, 
I am in Irkutsk now with a friend of mine. We want to reach the north coast of baikal before taking a train to Vladivostock where we hope find a ship to Japan.
Our trip is called . the plan is no plane. We go to japan without taking plane and visit ecovillages or alternative places along the way.
We heard from you from a friend, Alex, who had stay in your place, last year.He told us it was very nice, and your place fit well in the mind of our trip.So we would be very happy if we can meet you.
We will be anyway in Olkon in the next few days , so if it is possible to see you , just for a coffe or even if you can host us.
Let us know.
Thank you and hope to see you soon.
bye bye.
David and Rutch.

16\05\2012

Hello Sergey,

My name is Laura Gomez and I'm an American who has been living and teaching English in Irkutsk for the past 6 months. I haven't visited Olkhon Island yet and I am very excited about visiting it this July. My mother will fly from Texas to Irkutsk and we will visit Olkhon Island, Moscow, and Saint Petersburg. My mother has never been to Russia before but she did have the chance to visit me in China when I was teaching English there.

I want to make sure that she gets to see the beautiful nature of Siberia and not just big cities like Moscow. So, I was really hoping that you could host my mother, my boyfriend, and me 1 or 2 nights from July 7th (Saturday) to July 8th or 9th. What do you think? I am looking forward to hearing back from you and I wish you well!

Thank you,
Laura Gomez

14\05\2012
Salut!
Bien arrive a Irkutsk, apres-demain le depart pour Touva. Merci pour ce beau sejour, j'espere a une prochaine fois!
Mathieu Lecarpentier

previous:
Here is Mathieu, french, traveler and many other things, some of them interesting to mention, some not.
I just arrived to Irkutsk, and I was wondering how to enjoy at the maximum the great weather we have right now and the arrival of spring. Then I heard about the island, and decided to go there.
Then I thought there may even be couchsurfers there!
And here you go!
I would be really happy to meet you guys (and stay at one of your's?).
I was just wondering if I should send you a request, a message, try to find your phone number... or even just come over, as you give pretty much all the directions to get there.
Anyway, I will be heading to the island in 2 or 3 days, so I'll probably pass by anyway! And if I don't find you, I'll camp!
Hope to see you soon!
Mathieu Lecarpentier

13\05\2012
I stayed in Sergey's little community on the beautiful island of Olkhon in
April, and it was an amazing experience. Sergey is such a nice and friendly
person and he made me feel like home on Olkhon. 
I helped him a little by working in his green house and it gave me a lot of
energy for continuing my travel. Thank you so much for everything Sergey,
hope to see you again!
Oskari Kalliala


12\05\2012
Сергей Валерьевич, добрый день, простите за задержку с письмом. Благотворительный фонд помощи хосписам "Вера"


12\05\2012
Sergey,

Je suis arrivé a Moscou hier matin.
Les 80 heures de trains sont finalement bien vite passé, même sans
livre, et sans personne a qui parler, on trouve toujours des choses
pour occuper l'esprit
Je n'ai pas eu l'occasion de te remercier comme je le souhaitais pour
mon sejour dans ta demeure.
J'etais bien sur tres heureux de pouvoir profiter de ta cabane, mais
je pense, encore plus heureux d'avoir pu te rencontrer.
Je te souhaite une bonne continuation en ce lieux hors du monde "normal"
merci pour tout

Yannick

11\05\2012
Many thanks you for hosting  in this nature corner!! Sergei is very open-minded, intercultural and hospitable person,  also i met  his charming children and Sergey`s wife - Nastya. Fairly harsh climate, natural open spaces and human warmth and caring to me of this family were super. Tears of happiness upon departure and great travel experince are my gifts which are always with me)
Anna


07\05\2012
Сергей, добрый день,

Нам интересна возможность сотрудничества,
у нас осенью планируется поездка в Улан-Уде,
и мы собираемся съездить на Байкал.
И возможно тогда получится встретиться.


С уважением, Анна Львовна Битова.

РБОО "Центр лечебной педагогики"
119311, Москва
ул. Строителей, 17Б
Тел.: 8(495) 930-00-80
Факс: 8(499) 131 06 83
Сайт: www.ccp.org.ru


30\04\2012
This is Tom Hoyt from Couchsurfing. I am staying in Ulan Bator right now. I will be in Irkutsk on May 6th. I am scheduled to stay with you from Mon May 7th - Fri 11th. I am emailing to confirm I'll be there and look forward to meeting you.

27\04\2012
Priviet sergey

Merci beaucoup pour ta reponse!
C est avec plaisir que je partagerai la piece avec un de mes voisins belges :)
J arrive a Irkutsk demain (28) vers 18h. Je pense passer une nuit a Irkutsk puis prendre une marchroutka pour Olkhon le 29. 
Je te tiendrais au courant

Merci encore
Yannick

25\04\2012
Mon cher Sergey, 

Un mois plus tard, bien rentré a Paris. Un retour a la réalité pas évident apres un voyage si riche, si varié... 

Heureusement qu'il y a mon travail photographique, qui m'a beaucoup occupé depuis mon retour et que j'espere faire fructifier bientot. Publier un livre peut-etre. Je t'envoie quelques clichés, noir et blanc et granuleux. Je t'en apporterai des tirages si je reviens (ou si tu passes sur Paris un jour?).

Merci encore pour ton hospitalité et cette liturgie puissante et mystérieuse a laquelle tu m'as permis d'assister. 

Je garderai toujours en moi la lumiere de ton ile.

Porte toi bien, 

Guillaume

25\04\2012
Bonjour Sergey,

Je me permet de t'écrire en Francais, puisque tu sembles le parler couramment!
Je m’appelle Yannick, je suis francais. Je voyage seul depuis quelques mois. J’étais au japon, en en corée, en Mars et Avril. Je suis a présent a Vladivostok, d'ou je vais prendre le train ce soir pour Irkutsk. Mon objectif n'est pas vraiment de rester longtemps a Irkustk, mais plutôt d'aller visiter l'ile d'Olkhon. Ton profil fait vraiment rêver! Sonneur de cloche de l'unique église russe de l’île... :)
Je pense arriver à Khujir le 29 ou 30 Avril. 
Je serais très heureux de pouvoir te rencontrer et passer quelques jours dans la communauté Philoxenia :)
J'ai mon matelas et mon sac de couchage avec moi.
Merci de m'avoir lu :)

Yannick


18\04\2012
Здравствуйте Сергей!
Прочитала про установку креста в Песчанной,у меня есть сведения поэтому вопросу.
Знаете ли вы .что в лесу возле Песчанной есть кладбище заключенных ,я наткнулась на него случайно когда ходила по ягоды, там все заросло, но примерно место я помню.Местных там не хоронили было другое кладбище на въезде в Песчанную.
Про этот лагерь меня уже давно просил узнать Сергей Кретов ,он наш земляк, живет в Германии.То что я узнала -есть сведения в Музее истории Иркутска .На следующей неделе я встречаюсь с директором музея, она обещала помочь.Как прошла встреча я сообщу.Надежда.

Hey Sergey,
we are back in germany since a couple days.
we would like to thank you again for the great time we had with you on olkhon!
best wishes from germany!
costia i micha