Hi!!

My name is Yako and I'm from Los Angeles, California. After a series of strange and unforeseeable events called life, I ended up living in a village in Türkiye! I'm a freelance graphic designer so I work online (good for the wandering soul, bad for the eyes!) and in my free time I love to read, do handicrafts (crochet, embroidery, etc.) meditate, yoga, handstands, sun bathe :)

I have visited 32 countries and lived on 5 continents, slept on boats and buses, planes and trains, and I haven't found any other way of life that fits me better. I'm just happy to be here!

***I do not live in Bodrum center, but in a village about 30km away. It is a 45 minute bus ride into the center :) if you don’t mind staying a bit far away, or if would like to see what life is like in a village, I’d love to host you

By the way, here is the profile that I shared with my sister before, which has more references :)
https://www.couchsurfing.com/users/2008308219

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet new people and break down the oppressive boundaries I've set up for myself. I can be quite shy and narrow minded if left to my own devices, so meeting different kinds of people and hearing new opinions helps!

Also, now that I've settled down for the moment, I'd love to pay forward the generosity that I've received over the years from fellow CSs. So if anyone wants to stay in a sleepy village in Bodrum, hit me up!

Interests

• cats
• dogs
• birds
• vegetarian
• vegan
• walking
• reading
• crochet
• music
• hiking
• islam
• ayurveda
• christianity
• judaism
• embroidery
• theology
• bollywood
• baglama
• sufi
• cura

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: traditional/folk music from Turkey, Iran, Mali, Israel, India, Pakistan; Hamza el Din, Rastak, TOOL, Gojira, Forn, Opeth, Ahab; rap music, country, really most things except pop!

Movies: Bollywood movies (Padmavaat -- my favorite!!, Kalank), The Grand Budapest Hotel, Lord of the Rings

Books: Anything by Hermann Hesse or C.S. Lewis; theology, history, classic literature, self-help; currently reading Solzhenitsyn :)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Survived the pandemic locked in an apartment in Morocco 🇲🇦

Also, survived 24hrs in Iceland in socks and sandals 🇮🇸

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: embroidery, crochet, vegan cooking, and graphic design basics. Also a bit of Turkish since I am self taught!

Share: plenty of book recommendations, conversations, and laughs :)

Learn: after I get a hold on Turkish, I'd love to learn Arabic or Farsi! Also, cura and kemence :)) and your favorite recipes!

What I Can Share with Hosts

A listening ear, an open heart, and a joint if I'm feeling frisky!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Laos, Malaysia, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ecuador, Morocco, Portugal, Turkey, United States