How was this April?

 

Coming to Turkey had been a long-time plan for me, but in the end, it still turned out to be a spontaneous decision. My plans got a bit mixed up and changed, and that's why I decided to come during this period — to finally see with my own eyes what I had heard about Turkey for so many years.The best experience I had while being here was Istanbul, and I don’t think that would surprise anyone. For years, I had been collecting dreams about Istanbul, and just like millions of others, I also believe that you gain something in this city. And probably, like all those millions, I too will return there many, many more times.I realized how much I loved this city when I accidentally discovered an amazing place. When you exit Hacıosman metro station and walk left, you suddenly find yourself in a forest. The smell of the earth, the trees — even though it all happens beside the road, you are still close, even if just a little, to nature. And then this view opens up in front of you...When I ended up there, it was raining and foggy, which made the place feel even more intense. On the horizon, you can see a mountain and many old houses tucked into the trees and the mountainside. As I said, the fog and the smell of the rain-soaked earth added even more magic.I walked for a long time, maybe two hours, and finally reached the end of the road where I accidentally found a port filled with countless small old boats. I took thousands of photos and videos... I walked in the rain and thunderstorm, and then wandered into a market near an old Turkish neighborhood. The houses were mostly wooden, decorated with ornaments, beautiful to look at, and there were pigeons sleeping on the rooftops.On my way back, I stumbled upon a film shooting. And, as always, I treated myself with chocolate ice cream on the way home.In Turkey, you can do anything — at least that's the feeling I take home with me.

I feel sad that I don’t have more time to spend with the people I met here. I wonder when I will see them again. I am leaving with so many stories in my heart.
No one knows when life will bring me back to this country.To every amazing person I met here, even by accident, I wish all the best —
To the man at the market who gave me my dream hat completely by accident and without asking for anything in return...
I had dreamed of that hat for years and received it out of nowhere.

To the woman who gave me herbs and candies on the bus, and we shared and laughed together despite not understanding each other's language —
Kindred souls recognize each other everywhere.That happened when I accidentally ended up 200 km away from Ankara because I got on the wrong bus. The bus didn’t stop anywhere; it just kept driving on the highway, and that's how I ended up in Kulu, about an hour from Konya.
On the way, I met an Afghan family. We spoke through Google Translate and laughed a lot, mostly about me getting lost on such a long journey.
I was trying to reassure them not to worry — they were worried about how I would get back home.

One of them was getting married and had her hands painted with henna.
They, and later another woman I met on the way back, even invited me to stay the night at their homes, but I had to return.I think I will dream about many of the people I met here for a long time — especially one person.
If anyone comes to Ankara, they absolutely must visit Gölbasi Park. It’s one of the most interesting places in the whole city.
Not just the lake and the park — there’s so much you can discover and do there.One evening we were just walking by the lake and accidentally found a ceramics studio. I really didn’t expect it — I thought it was just a handmade crafts shop.
But in fact, you could create your own pieces with your own hands.
I almost cried from happiness.

Two men work there — I think they really love their craft.
The interior is amazing: full of clay objects, raw clay, flowers, plants, and even an old TV — everything combined into a beautiful, harmonious atmosphere.On the way back, I thought — maybe someday, I will have my own ceramics shop by a lake, where one day a girl like me will come in, touch clay for the first time, and fall in love with working with it.I can’t imagine how long it will take me to re-adapt to my home environment after returning.
It’s a strange feeling when you stay somewhere for a long time, get used to it, and then suddenly you have to go back — to different soil, different people.
This feeling is an inseparable part of traveling — something that can't be described easily with just two words. Only those who have felt it will understand.

Thank you for everything.
Another avarage weirdo volunteer girl from Georgia leaves turkey very happy.