Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Chapter 2- Is this Love?
I wake up still not feeling 100 percent. My host is gone and he works an important job and is very busy. I speak with the other flat mates and they are so friendly and sweet. I talk to him, Mr. Bigg and tell him I want to go out. Priscilla can only be sick for 1-2 days max and then she is up and out. He says he will meet me in Taxsim and wait for me at the last bus station. It is a bit cold and raining when I arrive. I get off at the stop before and look for him and I speak to some Turkish flower vendors. They ask where I'm from and he asks to go out with me. Little did I know this would be the first of what feels like a million people asking to accompany me, spend time with me, or get to know me. I call Mr. Bigg and he meets me near the flower shop. He looks annoyed and we walk up the beginning of the Istiklal Caddesi. He doesn't have an umbrella so I offer him mine. He declines and shortly after says he is going to head home because he didn't bring a jacket and has work to do. I am disappointed, but get over it quickly as I am ready to explore the area. I walk around what feels like a sea of men. Everyone is smiling and the faces are looking at me like they know I'm a visitor. It must be the curiosity, walking around stimulated by the new sights, sounds, and people. I stop and taste some apricots, pistaccios, and dates. I chat with an older Turkish gentlemen and we drink Turkish tea together and talk about the beauty of Istanbul. One of many that are so proud of their culture and happy with their life. You can see it, feel it, and you then believe it. I am stopped by restaurant owners and shop owners and asked where I am from? I say America and they say " Ahhh Americaaa." A man tells me I am beautiful and he wants to take me out for drinks. I keep walking and he says, "Please don't leave you're breaking my heart." Oh, the romance is so beautiful. I stop by and chat with a Norweigan guy who also asks me out, but a in kind polite way after a normal conversation. He gives me his card and writes on it, "Sexy Pepsi" and says to call him. I continue to walk and I go into a Turkish bar to watch some live music and drink more turkish tea. I sit peacefully and enjoy the music-so beautiful I don't even need to understand the words because I feel it. I walk outside and am approached my Sunny. A young promoter who invites me upstairs. We chat in the rain and he offers me a cigarette. I pull out my American spirits and offer him one. He laughs at my American cigarettes and we chat about the New Year. We part ways and I continue to walk the streets in the rain feeling my sickness fade and so happy to be..to just be. Men selling clams on every corner, doner, corn, and chestnuts. The buildings are beautiful and you can feel the history. I decide to leave to cetch the bus back to my nearby city destination. Good night Istanbul, I'll see you tomorrow.
Chapter 1 Departure and Arrival into Beauty
It is Christmas day and all I could think of is Istanbul. The day of going to a new place, new sights, sounds, people, food, culture, moments, memories, laughs, and smiles. There was a time long ago when I would wake up and run downstairs with such excitement and joy for Christmas. And now with a new philosophy on the true meaning of Christmas-I plan trips to travel, become closer to God through spiritual experiences, to continue to grow with him, and connect with people with his spirit in my heart and soul.
Prior to the trip, I had been feeling stressed, disconnected from my mediation, and unable to relax. I knew it was time to regain the feeling of beauty, self love, and appreciation through interactions with others that would be life changing.
I felt a bit sick, but quickly packed up my gym bag and hit the road to JFK. I knew I wouldn't be able to relax until I was on the plane saying bye to 2010 and starting a new journey with the person I love most, me.
I arrived in Athens and sat outside for a bit taking in the beauty, the scent of Europe, the hills, and the cars passing by. Hopped back on the plane to Istanbul and was feeling worse and worse. A sickness had taken over, but I knew it would pass and I would feel better soon. Stepping off the plane, there were all the beautiful Turkish welcoming their family and friends back home. It made me smile and excited for the journey ahead. I ran into my dear friend at the airport and was excited to spend time with him for New Years and it was nice to see a familiar face in a foreign destination. I have no phone and turns out I don't have a phone for the entire trip. But as on all my vacations, I try to let go of technology and focus on the interpersonal interactions and that I did. I head to Aksaray station and a sweet man helps me use the phone to call my host. I feel so weak and sick, but his smile and kind gestures make me feel better. He picks up the phone and speaks Turkish to my host and my host says he will come meet me. I describe what I am wearing, and he says don't worry I'll find you. I sit on my gym bag looking at the faces that pass, I have an idea of what he looks like, but there are many people-many men passing back and forth. As I am fumbling through my purse, I look up and there he is wearing a leather jacket and smiling. We walk back to his flat through traffic, noise, carrying my what feels like a 60 pound bag through the small, narrow streets. He points out the university where students study and also addresses the noise that is coming from the mosque. It is 7:00 and prayer time with beautiful chants and sounds. I feel sick, but it is all fading away as I am so blessed and thankful to be in a new place. We stop at a store and he runs into a friend. He introduces me to him and I smile saying, "Hello, I'm Priscilla." We stop and chat quickly about his work and my background. I am wearing a beige hat and he lifts it up softly caressing my face and says I could look Turkish, but I tell him I am Indian. Our eyes lock and right there at that moment I felt a chill. He carries my bag on his shoulder up to his flat and I walk behind him. Cute little markets and restaurants in the neighborhood and it appears like a local town, which I love. We get upstairs and it is empty, quiet, with a homeliness. I enter his room and their are shelves and shelves of books. I immediately pull out my gifts for him, an I love NY t-shirt, Ozzo from Greece, and some red wine. He smiles and thanks me looking surprised that I brought gifts for him. He says he has to take a shower as he is sweaty from carrying my bag the long way. I inquire about the pharmacy as I am still feeling ill and my fever is getting worse. He throws on his shirt and jacket and says he will take me to the pharmacy. I tell him don't worry I am fine, I can go on my own.
On Sunday many pharmacies are closed so we walk the streets looking for one and we stumble upon a small one aside the road. He tells him my symptoms in Turkish and I melt as it is so sweet, but he is my host so he is being hospitable. We leave the pharmacy and walk arm and arm back to the flat. I take a shower and step out into his room. He moves me into the other room to be close to the heater. He acts sweet, caring, and concerned for my well being. He hands me my tea and medicine inside of it. The glass is warm, I feel warm, and I feel a bit shy and nervous. We talk about traveling, people, visitors, and life. The glass is still in my hand and I stare down looking at it. I make little eye contact and look up and smile at him every so often. He checks my forehead, gives me gentle caresses to the side of my face, and I still look down staring at the tea. He says feels my heart and says, "Your heart is beating fast" and I feel it beating faster and faster. I put the tea down and grab on so tight to him. He holds me tighter and we hug intensely and our breathing gets faster and faster. He pushes me down onto the bed and with no kissing, our touches are intense and passionate. I eventually stand up and feel winded as I was already feeling weak. What just happened? He puts me to bed and tucks me in tight with extra blankets. Throughout the night, I feel him come in and check on me making sure I was tucked in and warm. At that moment I knew that I adored him. Turkish hospitality mixed with a dash of passion-the perfect medicine for an American girl.
Prior to the trip, I had been feeling stressed, disconnected from my mediation, and unable to relax. I knew it was time to regain the feeling of beauty, self love, and appreciation through interactions with others that would be life changing.
I felt a bit sick, but quickly packed up my gym bag and hit the road to JFK. I knew I wouldn't be able to relax until I was on the plane saying bye to 2010 and starting a new journey with the person I love most, me.
I arrived in Athens and sat outside for a bit taking in the beauty, the scent of Europe, the hills, and the cars passing by. Hopped back on the plane to Istanbul and was feeling worse and worse. A sickness had taken over, but I knew it would pass and I would feel better soon. Stepping off the plane, there were all the beautiful Turkish welcoming their family and friends back home. It made me smile and excited for the journey ahead. I ran into my dear friend at the airport and was excited to spend time with him for New Years and it was nice to see a familiar face in a foreign destination. I have no phone and turns out I don't have a phone for the entire trip. But as on all my vacations, I try to let go of technology and focus on the interpersonal interactions and that I did. I head to Aksaray station and a sweet man helps me use the phone to call my host. I feel so weak and sick, but his smile and kind gestures make me feel better. He picks up the phone and speaks Turkish to my host and my host says he will come meet me. I describe what I am wearing, and he says don't worry I'll find you. I sit on my gym bag looking at the faces that pass, I have an idea of what he looks like, but there are many people-many men passing back and forth. As I am fumbling through my purse, I look up and there he is wearing a leather jacket and smiling. We walk back to his flat through traffic, noise, carrying my what feels like a 60 pound bag through the small, narrow streets. He points out the university where students study and also addresses the noise that is coming from the mosque. It is 7:00 and prayer time with beautiful chants and sounds. I feel sick, but it is all fading away as I am so blessed and thankful to be in a new place. We stop at a store and he runs into a friend. He introduces me to him and I smile saying, "Hello, I'm Priscilla." We stop and chat quickly about his work and my background. I am wearing a beige hat and he lifts it up softly caressing my face and says I could look Turkish, but I tell him I am Indian. Our eyes lock and right there at that moment I felt a chill. He carries my bag on his shoulder up to his flat and I walk behind him. Cute little markets and restaurants in the neighborhood and it appears like a local town, which I love. We get upstairs and it is empty, quiet, with a homeliness. I enter his room and their are shelves and shelves of books. I immediately pull out my gifts for him, an I love NY t-shirt, Ozzo from Greece, and some red wine. He smiles and thanks me looking surprised that I brought gifts for him. He says he has to take a shower as he is sweaty from carrying my bag the long way. I inquire about the pharmacy as I am still feeling ill and my fever is getting worse. He throws on his shirt and jacket and says he will take me to the pharmacy. I tell him don't worry I am fine, I can go on my own.
On Sunday many pharmacies are closed so we walk the streets looking for one and we stumble upon a small one aside the road. He tells him my symptoms in Turkish and I melt as it is so sweet, but he is my host so he is being hospitable. We leave the pharmacy and walk arm and arm back to the flat. I take a shower and step out into his room. He moves me into the other room to be close to the heater. He acts sweet, caring, and concerned for my well being. He hands me my tea and medicine inside of it. The glass is warm, I feel warm, and I feel a bit shy and nervous. We talk about traveling, people, visitors, and life. The glass is still in my hand and I stare down looking at it. I make little eye contact and look up and smile at him every so often. He checks my forehead, gives me gentle caresses to the side of my face, and I still look down staring at the tea. He says feels my heart and says, "Your heart is beating fast" and I feel it beating faster and faster. I put the tea down and grab on so tight to him. He holds me tighter and we hug intensely and our breathing gets faster and faster. He pushes me down onto the bed and with no kissing, our touches are intense and passionate. I eventually stand up and feel winded as I was already feeling weak. What just happened? He puts me to bed and tucks me in tight with extra blankets. Throughout the night, I feel him come in and check on me making sure I was tucked in and warm. At that moment I knew that I adored him. Turkish hospitality mixed with a dash of passion-the perfect medicine for an American girl.
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