So let's start this off with a story: a fateful day somewhere in the ages of 11-13 (like many others, I've blocked out the majority of those years due to severe trauma), I met a fantastic human being named Deniz, who has blessed me with years of laughter and friendship and, debatably just as importantly, years of delicious Turkish delicacies. Both her parents hailed from Turkey, which meant, more often than not, a trip to her house included eating baklava, tabbouleh, and just about anything else you'd expect to find in Turkey. I've heard countless stories of her adventures in Turkey, and always knew one day I'd have to visit to see the glory for myself.
And let me tell you, the homeland of the famed Uyans did not disappoint. I mean, the first thing we heard when we got there Thursday night was a prayer at the Blue Mosque. Everything was just so interesting!!! This was my first time out of 100% Christian territory and it wowed me to the core. Like the Haiga Sofia, which has been both a church and a mosque. Religion is such a staple in so many people's lives, and seeing a completely different one in every day life was so eye-opening, to sound like a complete cliche. When we were at the Grand Bazaar around noon, many of the shops started to close and slowly, the small halls started to fill up with men facing the same direction, starting to pray. I wish there was an inconspicuous way to snap a picture of that, but alas we all failed.
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| Haiga Sofia |
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| Dome of the Blue Mosque |
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| where Europe and Asia collide!!!! |
As you all may be aware as well, the day we got there was also the start of the Turkish Twitter ban of 2014. Now if you know me at all, you know that Twitter is by far my favorite form of social media, and I use it to keep tabs on the shenanigans my friends get themselves into when I'm not around as well as the news from around the world. Naturally, I went into a little bit of a shock without it, but I did make it through the weekend in one piece. The ban also calls attention to the politics of Turkey; we managed to see two political rallies, and one for the political party of the Prime Minister that began the ban in light of alleged corruption tapes that were leaked via Twitter.
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| four days of this |
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| Political party flags |
We (Lindsay, Lauren and I) also managed to meet quite the cast of characters around the city. Two guys living in Scotland, one which was BORN IN RHODE ISLAND JUST LIKE ME (I take too much pride in this, but he's like the second person I've ever met that was actually born there. We were born at the same hospital too!), Andy from Minnesota who went to St. Olaf and whom I scared, a guy who volunteered at the Sochi Olympics and insisted on wearing his bright volunteer swag everywhere. We also befriended three men who worked at a restaurant; through this friendship, we managed to snag a free bottle of wine, shots, hookah, and baklava. Oh and a guy who's literally just bouncing around the Middle East, while doing everything online (including church!). We deemed him the most interesting man in the world, because there's not a country he hasn't been to with a bizarre story to go with it.
That about does it for Turkey!! My next stop is...well, Paris, to finally this marathon I've been talking about for ages. This also means that I GET TO SEE MY FAMILY IN A WEEK, and I convinced my mom to go to Amsterdam with me so the next blog post will be equally exciting (assuming I do not die during the marathon, which is a slight possibility)
until next time mes chous,
Sarah
(no selfie today because I SHOCKINGLY didn't take any in Turkey)
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