Hi, my name is 10 like the number, and I'm on a mission to hike and hitchhike the world!

I'm a traveler and storyteller from the sunny islands of the Philippines who is out here to prove that:
1. The world is full of kind people who are willing to welcome you into their hearts and homes and to teach you a thing or two about their culture and their traditions.
2. Common stereotypes associated with cultures and countries can be broken and set right through travel.
3. Women can do anything they put their minds to.
4. Travel should be accessible for everyone, especially for people like me who come from developing countries with third world passports.

If you'd like to get to know more about my trip, I blog about this unique experience (which has never been attempted before by any Filipina) here:

www.facebook.com/krystenkaladkarin
www.instagram,com/krystenkaladkarin
www.krystenkaladkarin.com
YouTube: Krysten Kaladkarin

This is my old CS profile. You can view my references here: https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/krystenkaladkarin?action=show&controller=user_profiles

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

This is my new CS account after being locked out of my old one. *CRIES* I've been using CS to travel the world because I like staying with local people. My travel style is highly immersive, and I love seeing the country through the eyes of its people.

Through CS I've made so many friends. I stayed in a historic caravanserai in Bukhara and attended a traditional Uzbek wedding in a village near Urgench. I met one of the dearest people to me in my life through my host in Astana, and I've connected here and there with fellow travelers who have given me tips on how to keep my trip safe and memorable.

Interests

• culture
• books
• music
• hiking
• camping
• languages
• travel
• art
• trekking
• outdoors
• comic books
• tradition

Music, Movies, and Books

I like movies about travel and adventure.

I love old school tunes. Here is a playlist that descibes my life in a nutshell:
1. Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin
2. Cactus Tree - Joni Mitchell
3. Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
4. Don't Think Twice It's Alright - Bob Dylan
5. Sleep on the Floor - The Lumineers (not old school, but very accurate)

As for books, I live by The Alchemist and The Little Prince.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

This trip! It spans over 20,000 kilometers and involves ONLY WALKING AND HITCHHIKING.

Although it may seem easy for some, I don't hold have passport privilege. I carry a weak Philippine passport with me, which means I have to go through hoops just so I can cross a country and even more so overland.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach
-Filipino traditions
-Filipino culture
-Filipino language
-I'm also very fluent in English, and I'm currently volunteering here in Ukraine as an English teacher, so you can practice English with me
-Play the ukulele and the guitar
-Arts and crafts
-Building your social media

Learn
-Anything about your culture and your country.
I've actually learned a lot of things in my travels. I was a cowgirl in the highlands of Tibet, where I also stayed in a monastic village to gain a deeper understanding about Buddhism and meditation. I picked tea leaves in Malaysia and coffee in Indonesia. I learned how to speak Russian during my hitchhikes in Central Asia. I learned how to make paska and pysanky during Orthodox Easter celebration in Ukraine. I picked up so many recipes from different countries that I can share with friends and family back home and with people I also meet along the way.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share amazing stories, great Filipino food, a broad knowledge of Filipino culture as well as the traditions of the countries I've immersed in during my trip. I'm a musician too. I play the guitar and the ukulele. I paint and draw, and I'm willing to learn anything and everything!

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Ukraine