~ not always here, dm me on ig: mysterimendoza 🧚🏻

Hey, I'm Theresa. I am a free-spirited soul from the Philippines.

I grew up in a third-world country, where political corruption and poverty shaped much of the environment around me. These experiences taught me resilience and the importance of seeking deeper perspectives on life.

Traveling is my way of exploring beyond those circumstances, diving into other cultures, learning new ways of life, and expanding my understanding of the world. I value meaningful connections and love exchanging ideas, stories, and experiences with people from all walks of life.

I’m passionate about nature and love immersing myself in the beauty of the outdoors, whether it’s hiking through a forest, watching a sunset, or just being surrounded by the calming sounds of nature. Trying new food is another adventure I’m always up for, I believe you can learn a lot about a culture by tasting its flavors.

And here's a fun fact: I’m colorblind! It gives me a unique way of seeing the world, but it also means I’ve learned to appreciate the beauty in different textures, sounds, and experiences rather than just what’s visually apparent. But hey, sometimes I wish I could at least see the color of the sky or the rainbow, even just for once.

I’m also a huge cat lover! I love all kinds of animals but cats (and capivaras) has a special place in my heart. It is my mission to pet and play with all the cats in the world 🐈🌍✨

- 1x missed flights
- 1x held by immigration because they thought I was being human trafficked by my ex-boyfriend
- 100x mistaken as Lao or Thai or Burmese or Khmer
- 1x almost got robbed
- 1x warned by my country's immigration that I will be on the watch list for not coming home on my declared return date
- 1x lost a key
- 3x got too drunk and no idea how i made it back to my accommodation
- lost all (8) my bank cards all at once 🤣

||

🌎 WHEREABOUTS

[2019]
PH - Mexico, Pampanga
SG - Marina Bay
SG - Sentosa Island
SG - Singapore
SG - Changi Village
SG - Bukit Timah
PH - Liwliwa, Zambales
PH - Baguio City

[2020 - 2021]

🏡🦠🥹

[2022]
TH - Bangkok
SG - Changi Village
SG - Little India
PH - Coron, Palawan
PH - Buscalan, Bengeut
PH - Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

[2023]
PH - Siargao Island
PH - Panglao, Bohol
PH - Siquijor
PH - Moalboal, Cebu
PH - Cebu City
PH - Malapascua, Cebu
PH - Bantayan Island, Cebu
PH - Kalanggaman Island
PH - Romblon
PH - Boracay Island
PH - Iloilo City
MY - Kota Kinabalu
MY - Ranau
MY - Sandakan
MY - Semporna
TH - Bangkok
TH - Ayutthaya
TH - Chiang Mai
TH - Pai
TH - Chiang Rai
TH - Hua Hin
TH - Krabi
TH - Koh Lanta
TH - Phuket
TH - Koh Phi Phi

[2024]
LA - Luang Namtha
LA - Luang Prabang
LA - Vang Vieng
LA - Thakek
LA - Don Det
LA - Attapeu
VN - Kon Tum
VN - Da Nang
VN - Hoi An
VN - Ninh Bihn
VN - Cat Ba
VN - Hanoi
HK - Hongkong
BR - Saõ Paulo, SP
BR - Recife, PE
BR - Olinda, PE
BR - Boa Viagem, PE
BR - Maracaipe, PE
BR - Tamandaré, PE
BR - Conde, PB
BR - Pipa, RN
BR - Natal, RN
BR - Canoa Quebrada, CE
BR - Fortaleza, CE
BR - Flecheiras, CE
BR - Jericoacoara, CE
BR - Ubajara, CE
BR - Caixas, MN
BR - Maceió, AL
BR - Maragogi, AL
BR - Aracaju, SE
BR - Salvador, BA
BR - Morro de São Paulo, BA
BR - Itacaré, BA
BR - Porto Seguro, BA
BR - Vila Velha, ES
BR - Guarapari, ES
BR - Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ
BR - Búzios, RJ
BR - Rio de Janeiro, RJ

[2025]
BR - Rio de Janeiro, RJ
BR - São Paulo, SP
TH - Bangkok
MM - Yangon
MM - Bagan
TH- Koh Tao
KH - Siem Reap

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I’m here to connect with locals, immerse myself in new cultures, and embrace life outside of my comfort zone. I’m excited to meet new people from all walks of life, exchange stories, and learn from everyone I encounter. Traveling isn’t just about visiting places, it’s about the people you meet, the food you try, the cats you pet, and the lessons you take away.

Interests

• cats
• dogs
• lgbt rights
• coffee
• walking
• politics
• traveling
• hiking
• backpacking
• scuba diving
• cliff jumping
• swimming
• beaches
• mountains
• food
• beach
• trekking
• lgbt
• diving
• foodie
• adrenaline
• pokemon
• nomad
• hostel
• pop punk
• open mind
• shoes
• asian culture
• coffee shops
• adrenaline junkie
• brasilian music
• asian
• beach life
• pokemon go
• cat lover

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I love me some pop punk but open to listening to other genres. I used to go to small gigs of indie bands back home.

Books: I enjoy reading anything that expands my perspective. Currently reading Mao Tse Tung: An anthology of his writings by Anne Fremantle

Movies: I love films that tell unique stories, whether they’re from my own culture or others. Always up for a movie night to explore new genres or discuss an old favorite.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Stopped using plastic straw since 2022 ♻️
Got a tattoo from the oldest traditional tattooist in the Philippines ✒️
13m cliff jump at Pitogo Cliff, Siquijor 🧚🏻
Yi Peng Festival experience at Pai, Thailand 🏮
Topless Mechanical Bull Riding at Koh Phi Phi 🐂
3 days jungle tour experience at Sandakan, Malaysia 🏕️
Paragliding at Canoa Quebrada 🪂
Tubing at Vang Vieng, Laos 🛟
Witnessing the Almsgiving at Luang Prabang, Laos🤲
New Year's Eve experience at Copacabana 🎆
Cruising at Ha Long Bay, Vietnam ⛴️
Naked Beach experience at Praia Tambaba, Paraiba 👙
Tried smoking 🍀 at 29
Songkran Festival 🔫
Circular train experience in Yangon, Myanmar 🚂
Witness the amazing sunset of Bagan 🛕
Open Water Diving at Koh Tao 🤿
Attending the biggest Jungle Party in Koh Tao 🪩
Getting lost in the country side of Siem Reap and ending up in a duck farm 🦆

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: I’d love to share insights into my culture, traditions, and maybe even teach you a few words in my native language.

Learn: I'm always eager to discover new ways of living and experiencing the world through local customs.

Share: travel stories and fails

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can offer good conversation, a fresh perspective on life and travel, and a genuine interest in your culture. If you're into nature, I’d love to explore the outdoors together. I can also share stories from my travels, cook a simple meal, or just enjoy a cozy evening of chatting and learning from each other.

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil, Philippines