Hi there, Tuba here.

After saving up and quitting my job in 2017, I hit the road and have been on —and off— the road ever since. The "off" part includes nearly four years of settling down, both in rural and central Thailand, as well as Turkey. During these times off from traveling, I built a safe foundation that lets me balance making a living, building a career, and living like a "free bird." Now, I'm a semi-digital nomad, working as a freelance online private tutor and translator, occasionally managing social media accounts of the places that I long-term stay, blending together various skills and qualifications.

During the Covid-19 era in Turkey on the Mediterranean coast, I ran a small hostel for a whole season. After two years, I spent another year at the region and worked as a private trekking tour guide along the Western Lycian Trail and happened to run summer camps and occasionally offered homeschooling consultancy for the parents who seek an alternative way of education while having my own online work going. I am also trained in sailing and became a licensed competent skipper. I took courses in massage and aromatherapy—I’m certified in massage, though less experienced—and now in Sri Lanka, I’m diving into Ayurvedic treatments. I’m a bit of a "miscellaneous" person, let's say.

When I hit the road, after backpacking for quite a long time, I made a life-changing decision and got on a bicycle (for the first time in my life) and cycled from northern Thailand to the southernmost edge of Malaysia. This 3,000-something-kilometer-long journey taught me a lot about my true self and pushed my boundaries. I can’t swim in the same river twice, and I’m now seeking that same feeling by exploring alternative ways of living. Life is “lifing,” and I’m chasing my true self along the way.

I consider myself a slow traveler, if I am a traveler. I prefer to stay in the places I visit for at least 1-3 months. As I’ve grown, I’ve become more focused on giving than receiving and value personal space and peace. That said, I’ve become more of an “Airbnb” person rather than a Couchsurfer, enjoying longer stays but still connecting with locals.

I’m also definitely into those lesser-known eco-villages and communal living spaces, which I experienced in different parts of the globe. In those places, I could contribute with my skills and still have my own work going in the evenings to earn my living.

Nonetheless, the Couchsurfing community still holds a special place in my heart, and I’m always grateful to meet, stay with, or host like-minded souls.

(This bio evolves as life conditions, experiences, and interests grow and transform.)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have been helped and hosted by amazing people back in time when I was on the road. Whenever I am settled in a place for a long-ish period of time, I activate my account to welcome people at my place wherever I end up.
This is the way I pay back (to whom?).

Interests

*my interest varies depending on the episode I'm going through.

• cycling
• hiking
• sailing
• road trips
• outdoors
• herbs
• journaling
• off the grid life

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Laos, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ecuador, Spain, Thailand, Turkey