Hi!!

My name is Yako and I'm from Los Angeles, California. After a series of strange and unforeseeable events, 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!). I love history, archeology sites, abandoned places, and other things of that nature :) I make videos about the places I visit: @yakoinruins

I have visited 35 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 💖

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

• walking
• reading
• crochet
• music
• hiking
• archeology
• history
• 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, BONES, Ezhel, 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, Soviet propaganda; currently reading Holy War by Karen Armstrong :)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Survived the pandemic locked in an apartment in Morocco 🇲🇦

Teach, Learn, Share

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

Share: plenty of book recommendations, conversations, and the love of my cat Hanuş

Learn: after I get a hold on Turkish, I'd love to learn Arabic or Hebrew! 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, Montenegro, 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