Hi there! My name is Barış and I live and work in Ankara since fall 2021 as a business consultant at an international firm. I can't travel very frequently due to the demanding nature of my profession, yet I always create some time to do it when my work calendar allows for that. I am originally from a city close to the Aegean coast of Turkey, Aydın.

I am very much interested in politics, history, music and languages. I am told to be a good cook who learnt recipes from the women of my family, so most of what I know how to cook comes from the tradition :)

I studied politics and international relations in Istanbul, and later completed a master on the same subject in Madrid where I also worked as a teaching assistant. I also worked as a reporter for a year in Istanbul.

Note: I started using Couchsurfing in October 2024, during my visit to the beautiful city of Tabriz. Unfortunately my only ref from this trip has left the community, so that's why you won't see so many references..

PS: you should be good with pets if you want to visit me since I live with a cat that is as furry as it is sweet 🐈

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Sharing! It is great to make friends through sharing.

Interests

I enjoy talking about politics and history in particular. Cuisine and music are other major themes in my life.

• literature
• cooking
• politics
• music

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I have a recently developed a very intense interest in the music of the Indian Subcontinent and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is by far my most favorite singer. But my musical gusto is quite diverse, I also like West African music (Ali Farka Toure), classical music (Bach's Lute Suites, Chopin's impromptus, Schubert's Winterreise, classical Spanish guitar from Francisco Tarrega and so many more), Azerbaijani mahnıs, old school rap (I love 2pac and Killah Priest), Greek music (I adore Xaris Alexiou), Mexican boleros (Los Panchos and Trio Monte Alban), Arab music (Ummu Kulthum and Fairuz from the classics, and Soapkills as a later example), electronic Arab music, Latin American music (so many names I can give) and a special mention to Lana del Rey :). I am also quite knowledgeable of any genre in the Turkish music (I love our folk songs by heart).
Books: In the past I read Latin American literature extensively, and my favorite novelist is Mario Vargas Llosa. La Fiesta del Chivo is my favorite foreign novel. I also read some Japanese literature, names such as Kawabata, Mishima, Kenzaburo Oe and Murakami. Of course some many novels I have read, but these two currents have been the most permanent in my taste :) As for Turkish authors, nowadays I am very much into historical/political novels of Kemal Tahir. I used to love poetry in the past but not really my thing anymore :)
Nowadays I am usually reading history books, including the memoirs of prominent political figures of the late Ottoman and early Republican era. We can talk about such things for hours, if you are interested. History is my weakness.

Teach, Learn, Share

Academic/job applications, experiences of living abroad, recipes, knowledge of language (I am fluent in Spanish). Whatever I know, I am open to share :)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am quite chill and calm by nature, so whatever you need that's within my capabilities.

Countries I’ve Visited

France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Jordan, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Spain, Turkey