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.

April in Stillness

 

April arrived softly, almost unnoticed — a month caught between the stubborn chill of winter and the first sighs of spring. The city moved on, with occasional snow blizzards, as it always does, and I found myself watching more than participating. Time has a strange way of stretching here in Ankara, depending on how full or empty the days feel.

 

This month was quiet. One of the loudest things was a goodbye — another volunteer, someone who  had become part of my rhythm here, left for home. Their absence made more noise than their presence ever did. We shared small moments, side-glances of understanding when things felt off, laughter over dinner, the simple warmth of knowing someone else gets it. It's strange, how someone being gone can make a place feel less like it was ever yours to begin with.

With other volunteers, I visited Tulumtaş Cave one weekend — an ancient, earthy silence wrapped in dripping stones. It was beautiful, in that still, untouched way. It was a freezing cold day, being inside the cave felt oddly comforting. Outside, snow started falling once we left, and on the way home, through the bus windows, I saw for the first time heavy snow in April, which felt disorienting, as if I found myself in the wrong time of the year.

I tried cooking some Italian recipes, too, because deep down I’m starting to miss some sides of Italy. Lasagna, for my friends, which turned out wonderfully — layers of warmth and effort that came together better than expected. And pizza… not so much. But there was something honest in the failure. First tries rarely go right, and maybe that’s alright.

 

On April 23rd, I went to Anıtkabir for National Sovereignty and Children’s Day. The crowds were buzzing with celebration, children running free, laughter and voices echoing. I had waited so long to visit and maybe it was the perfect choice, visiting on that day – it felt solemn I stood in front of Atatürk’s tomb and tried to feel something deep. Pride, maybe. Reverence, for sure. Mostly, I felt like a visitor, unsure if I belonged in the moment or just beside it.

This month, I’ve realised I packed expectations into my suitcase and maybe forgot to leave room for reality. I wonder if I’m waiting for something to change, or simply for time to pass, ready for what comes next. Still, I stay. For now. Maybe to see how the story ends. Maybe just because I haven’t found the right way to leave. Not every chapter is exciting. Some just sit there — necessary bridges between better things.

 

MY EXPERIENCES IN TURKIYE IN APRIL

 

Hello! I’m Asmar!

I came to Ankara from Azerbaijan as a short-term volunteer, and I have now completed my first month here. It was my first time visiting Türkiye, and I must admit that the emotions I felt a month ago were intense and beautiful. Of course, I can’t say that I wasn’t nervous at all, but those feelings quickly faded, replaced by excitement and warmth.

From the very first day, I started building beautiful friendships with the people I met. Fortunately, I get along very well with my roommates too; spending time together has made me fall in love with Ankara even more. The fact that Türkiye is a brother country to Azerbaijan has helped me feel much more at home. The people I meet outside are always warm, sincere, and friendly, constantly reinforcing this wonderful feeling.

With every new piece of knowledge I gain, I discover how close our cultures are, and finding so many similarities bring me a special kind of happiness.

The first place I visited in Ankara was Anıtkabir. From the moment I stepped onto the grounds, I could feel the special and powerful emotions the site carries. Witnessing the ceremonial change of guards particularly moved me; their discipline and the seriousness in their posture left a strong impression on me. Walking through the museum dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and learning more about his life and struggle deeply touched me. I’ve actually visited Anıtkabir twice already!

Later on, we visited Tulumtaş Cave. The natural beauty carved over time, illuminated with soft lights, made it feel like stepping into a fairytale world. Walking among the pillars and stalactites, I completely lost track of time.

But that was just the beginning; I also strolled through the historical streets of Ankara Castle, felt the spirit of traditional architecture in Hamamönü, found peace in the serene nature of Gölbaşı, and had a wonderful time in Gençlik Park.

We even had the chance to go ice skating with other volunteer friends! Although I was a little hesitant at first, we ended up having an unforgettable day filled with laughter.

I also visited Kuğulu Park — with its elegant swans and lush greenery, it felt like a small escape within the city.

This project has not only given me the chance to explore new places but has also helped me grow personally. One of the most touching experiences has been visiting village schools. Spending time with the children, capturing their innocent smiles through my camera, and playing with them has rekindled the childlike spirit within me. Their pure joy and affection left a deep mark on my heart and created some of the most precious memories of my life.

In addition, the many workshops we participated in and organized have made every day here even more colorful and meaningful.

One of the most unforgettable moments was the "Azerbaijan Cultural Day" event that I prepared. That day, I proudly introduced my country’s unique cuisine by cooking plov (traditional rice dish) and gave a presentation about Azerbaijani culture, offering our guests a small journey into my homeland.

Seeing the smiles on their faces and sharing a piece of my country with them brought me an indescribable joy.

As I wrap up my first month, I feel the excitement of learning something new every day, meeting new people, and sharing the same emotions with people from different cultures.

There is still so much left for me to discover on the streets of Ankara, and I can't wait to continue this adventure!

March a productive month

FOOD PACKAGE 

We put food for disadvantaged groups and packaged it. We put soup, main course, bread, water, desserts in these packages. It is a good thing that this food packaging is not only in Ramadan but is available all the time.

VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

We played volleyball with our volunteer friends and young people. We had a very fun and spot on time.

ART WORKSHOP 

We created shapes from scented stones to give as gifts to disadvantaged children. And we painted them later. Even though I did this activity without seeing those children, I connected with them when I thought about their happiness

RAMADAN AT KULLIYE

In the Ramadan event in the complex, we first visited the museums that introduced Türkiye. We also shot a video there. In the video shoot, we told how it went as all international students. We took care of the children there and did activities with them.

HOW  WAS  IT  IN  GENERAL?

I learned a lot of new information with this month's workshops and I believe I added a lot of good things to myself. My other ESC volunteer friends and I shared information with each other and gained new experiences.

ESC Moments That Touched My Heart

After many months in Ankara with the ESC project, I can say this: it’s not just a volunteering program, it’s a life journey. In my first blog, I wrote about starting this adventure. Now, I want to share some special memories that I will always carry with me.One of the most beautiful parts of my ESC experience was the people I met. We came from different countries, with different languages and stories, but we built a strong connection. I remember our group activities, city walks, music sessions, and small jokes that made us smile. These simple moments became big memories.  

One memory I will never forget is our cultural event. I presented my country, and I also learned about others. I felt proud to share my roots and happy to learn new traditions. These exchanges helped me become more open and respectful. This project also helped me discover myself. I realized I enjoy helping others, being creative, and working with young people. I found confidence and purpose.

A special memorie when we were invited to a big iftar event hosted by the Ministry. The atmosphere was warm, and we felt respected and welcomed. That same day, I also got the chance to ride a horse for the first time in my life. It was a dream I had for many years, and finally, it came true. I felt excited and emotional. It’s a moment I will never forget. ESC is not just about tasks or reports. It’s about the people, the stories, the moments that change you. And I’m thankful for every second

 My experience as a volunteer in Ankara

The month of March came with lots of sun, warmth and good mood, finnaly we can get our dose of vitamin D what makes us happier and more relaxed. It was the first morning I heard the birds singing and I've already put myself in a good mood hearing them. The first day of Ramadan I had the opportunity to experience an Iftar with a Turkish family. For Iftar  were dates, salad, beetroot salad, stuffed cabbage(sarma), rice with lamb and cherry juice. That didn't stop there, after the meal we continued with tea,turkish coffee and desserts. Everything was exceptional, the family was very hospitable and friendly, we had fun discovering many similar words in Turkish and Romanian also I discovered that the turkish lessons with are paying off because I understood a lot.

With the Volunteers we created a new program for March, then we were on a University to share our Erasmus experience with the turkish students. Every week we had two workshops on different subjects, my favourite one was the art one, in which we created decorative objects.

The next evenings we had more Iftars together, one of the volunteers invited us to her house where she had a surprise for me, she organised me a henna night , I wore a gorgeous Turkish dress, they put henna on my palms and we all danced. After that we had turkish coffee and turkish delight and of course was a must the coffee fortune teller.

At the end of the week I will go for Bayram in Mersin and Adana, I am very excited about discoverind new place and to anchor more deeply in Turkish culture. My experience here will finish next week, I will miss many things, the wonderful places I ve visit, the amazing people and last but not least the turkish food. 

March journey

March in Ankara is a month of spiritual reflection, community bonding, and acts of kindness, as the city embraces the holy month of Ramadan. The streets come alive with a unique blend of tradition and modernity, offering a glimpse into the cultural richness of Türkiye's capital. 

Ramadan in Ankara is marked by a deep sense of community and generosity. Families gather for iftar, the evening meal to break the fast, often sharing traditional dishes like lentil soup, pide bread, and baklava. In our office we have prepared a Iftar dinner. Everybody brought different kind of meals home made or bought it gave a feel of family dinner. The city's mosques, such as the iconic Hacı Bayram Mosque, become hubs of spiritual activity. This was my last month for me and it couldn't be better.