PEOPLE OF ISTANBUL.

When I travel I do what all tourists do – take lots of pictures, visit famous sights, and buy souvenirs. However, these are not the things that I find most fascinating. My favorite moments are not the sights I visited or the crazy pictures I took; they are the interactions I had.

In Istanbul I experienced a culture that was welcoming, warm, and wonderful. The pictures above are people I’d seen on the streets of Istanbul – street performers, dedicated workers, free liberty speakers. Each picture tells a little bit about their story. These people were just like the rest of us with different life experiences, different dreams, different trials, and different gifts to give. I find these characteristics and pockets of wisdom ever inspiring. While I was in Istanbul, these are some of the comments/stories I heard. Some are funny, some are heart-rending.

 “Hey lady, you are cute. You come back to me tonight.” – Old man who insisted on hip bumping each of us as we walked by.

“I have decided to ride my bike around the globe. It may take me a year or two, but now is my time to explore and learn before I have to grow up and set down roots. I started in France and am simply heading east until I hit the ocean. It has already been two months and I still have a lot left. It may not be “fun,” but it is a quiet enjoyment allowing me to think.” – 25 year old French man I met at the hostel on his way across the 

world.

“For you it is free.” “You can eat me too if you want.” – Man trying to get me to come into his restaurant.

“We left it all. We simply quit our jobs and set off. We have decided to ride our motorcycle everywhere we can go. We get to experience things no one else can.” – Couple from Denmark waiting for the arrival of their motorcycle (they had already drove all over Africa and were about to head to Amsterdam)

“I’m basically a bum. I quit everything and now I am just travelling the world.” – Australian man I met at the Hostel

“1 lira 1 lira.” “Chai Chai Chai!” – Young boys trying to earn money off all the thirsty tourists (they definitely made quite a bit off of me)

“How about a round of beers?” “No thank you, you can get some though (our reply).” “Naw, I only wanted to get drunk if you guys were.” – Argentinean man as we sat and watched the World Cup game

“The one thing I regret doing the most while drunk was losing my virginity. That is something that should mean more. Too many teenagers are ending up pregnant, and too many children are ending up with a life that isn’t deserved. “– good friend we met at the hostel

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” – Gandhi

Just as the quote states, it is in a gentle way that you can help change the world. With a simple smile, conversation, or listening ear you can help others feel the joy of life and help them to grow. You never know maybe along the way the people you interact with my teach you a lesson or help you to gain a new perspective, just as the people of Istanbul have done with me. In a gentle way, the people I met in have taught me things no person can learn from the words written in a book or studied in a classroom. They have taught me to live.

 I hope that you can take a moment or two and open your eyes. Take a look around you, talk to someone you would never normally approach. Learn their story, see what gifts they have to give learn to love and understand them (even if it is for a brief moment). The people around each of us, no matter where we are, have a light in them. Never will you discover what a great light it is until you search to find it.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY.

"The Blue Mosque"

Oh Istanbul...
Istanbul is such a beautiful city full of vibrant people and delicious food. Today I got to go into the Sultan Ahmed Mosque ("The Blue Mosque") seen above. As I walked in with shoe-less feet and a headscarf, the view was absolutely breathtaking. With stained glass windows and large arched ceilings, the mosque emitted a feeling of excellence. To think that such a building was built hundreds of years ago without the technology and materials that we have today.

My view when first entering the mosque.

The dedication of those participating in this religion is something that never ceases to amaze me. The women wear burqas and headscarves in extremely hot and humid weather, sacrificing their comfort for their beliefs. The men of whom I witnessed in the airport who laid out their kilims and did their prayers regardless of the looks they were relieving.They truly live their faith. Not only are they dedicated, but humble and giving. To allow hundreds of loud, smelly foreigners to enter into your place of worship is an act of true sacrifice and humility.

While visiting a palace today, a group of Muslim scholars stood behind me. Although I could not understand their words, they had a certain essence about them. I know that sounds almost ridiculous, but I felt as if they were thinking on a deeper level. I felt as though they were philosophers pondering the questions life. Now I may be stereotyping, which I try to refrain from, but if you were standing in my shoes I'm sure you would feel the same thing. To think on a deeper level is something I try to strive for. To answer questions that nobody dares to understand, or to ponder things that are often left unspoken is an art. An art that requires practice and time, making life interesting and full of depth. It is an art that truly inspires. 

One of the men, of whom I speak.

I hope one day to master such an art. I hope that when I'm old people may say that I am cultured and inquisitive, thinking on a deeper level -- someone who truly understands the meaning of life. I hope drift off in a daydream answering the questions that nobody dared to ask.

THE FIRST CHAPTER.

In most cases, you can tell what a book is going to be like by the first chapter you read. Well the same thing goes with new adventures. I sat on the edge of the row two bags in hand and a smile on my face (that didn’t seem to disappear no matter how hard I tried). I couldn’t help but laugh as the realization of what I was about to do set in. I have always dreamed of going to Africa, ever since I was a little girl. With exotic dances, beautiful people, and breathtaking wildlife I couldn’t help but dream of immersing myself in such a culture. Well the first chapter of my adventure went a little like this.

 Across the row sat a larger man who insisted on getting out of his chair at least fifteen times. Each time, without his realization, I had to awkwardly turn my head as his large backend came way to close to my face.  I simply just had to laugh at the now severed personal bubble that used to stand between us. The couple who sat beside me had a very awkward form of PDA. Within ten minutes of take-off, the man had picked his nose and was trying to wipe it on his girlfriend’s face (cute or disgusting? – that’s for you to decide).  I kind of shook my head thinking that I had just misjudged some harmless flirting, but her disgusted face as she reached for her forehead dismissed such a thought. I almost felt bad for the younger boy who sat in front of me as I look at his anxious and distraught face. He managed to scan the plane with wide eyes almost the whole four hours. I couldn’t decide whether he had never flown before, or if he was simply just afraid of heights. Then to top it off, there were the three amigos. Each of the three men had the exact same tattoo -- a huge tribal sleeve on their left arm. I couldn’t help but imagine up some exciting story about how they all were connected, and why they all had the same tattoo. I happened to zone out a little, and realized that I was staring right at one of them who happened to give me quite the dirty look. I quickly looked away embarrassed once I realized he had a silver ring wrapped around his left ring finger. These are some of the moments that make up the “first chapter” of my trip ,and from what it seems I’m going to have intriguing moments, disgusting moments, and a lot of misplaced judging as I travel to my far off destination.

ANGUS & JULIA STONE.

One of my ALL TIME favorite brother-sister duos. I found them several years ago when a dear friend of my suggested that I look them up. I have been in love ever since. Perfect harmonies and the occasional harmonica make for the perfect composition. They both share a love and passion for writing music and consider themselves immersed in a  long lasting friendship. Check them out here: http://angusandjuliastone.com/

From: Australia
When: 2006
Albums: A Book Like This (2007), Down the Way (2010), Memories of an Old Friend (2010)
Interesting: Their parents played as a folk duo before they were born.

This is one of my recent favorites by them. -- give it a listen

WELCOME.

To start off my blog, I wanted to post this video because I believe that it sums up what I'm about. I am a fellow wanderer who loves life and the excitement it brings. I'm an advocate for all things happiness, whether it be helping the environment, learning about different cultures, or going on new adventures. I love traveling and learning new things. I believe that having a candor love for everyone around us can change the world and make it a better place. I love experimenting with new things and advocating for a good cause. I know you all want to know what you're getting yourselves into, so here ya go! This blog is a travel, inspiration, daydreams/thoughts, recipe, and just about everything blog. I will post about adventures that I embark on, stories that inspire me, artists that need to be spotlighted, etc. I believe that passion is wasted unless pursued. That is why I have created this space, to share with you my passions and to help you to pursue your own. -- h a p p y  r e a d i n g !