I am often asked what is my favorite place, and my usual answer is that every place has its special charms. But I have fallen hard. I will now be saying that Turkey is my favorite. I know that 4 months is a very short time to have any depth of awareness, but I am in love with everything.
Yes, I am different here, but they aren't scared of me. They don't point and laugh, run and scream, or stare drop-jawed. They look and watch, but then almost always offer a warm smile and a welcome. I don't recall any encounters with grouchy individuals. They want to talk, help, share... language is not a barrier. I stopped thinking that with each offer there would follow a demand for compensation; it just doesn't happen. It is common for people to go out of their way to get me on my way. It is hard to wallow in a sadness.
Other nice things... after losing an interest in eating thru the Balkans, I was very excited to get to Turkey. Eating is something I look forward to. I lose my appetite just thinking about my next destination.
And another.. as I sit on a bus writing this I am thinking that now when you can't get even get a free glass of water on a plane, Turkish buses have attendants who serve cake, candies, water, coke, juice, hand-wipes... and sometimes there is even wi-fi and individual screens with tv/movie selections.
I have been saying that someday a place will speak to me and I will want to stay. Turkey could be that place. But next week I am flying to Sudan; time to bank some cash. And maybe its a good idea to step away ... see if I am thinking clearly ... as one should do when falling in love.
When saying goodbye, the person departing says hoshchakal... stay happy.
