A friend once said that, life is too boring, we need fairy tale; wish I could escape it. 3 weeks in Ankara made me realise this. We can escape it. Pack your bags, force yourself out of your comfort zone and you might tread on the biggest adventure of your life.
There is a big CAUTION: it can turn into a nightmare, there would be days you might not talk to anyone and there is a high chance of you mixing up your senses :)
This is what Ankara did to me, the un-appreciated sister of the popular Istanbul. This capital in its own sweet way would welcome you into the hearts of Turkey. If you are willing to see, it would show you a lifetime of opportunities. You just need to observe and life would start turning into fairy tale.
1) A new language: never take your grasping power for granted, sometimes you might just be dependent on your memory. The amount of words that were shoved onto me on daily basis were beyond my small memory, but I had no choice but to remember them. I was taught new words everyday and these words were my guide to survival. People did not speak English, I had to learn words, even small small things like water, buying a chai was initially a struggle. But it was amazing how my senses : hearing and listening developed a harmony. suddenly i started listening to people. I was having something more than a conversation. I was looking for body language, eye movements, smile, fluttering of lashes, every small hint mattered.
2)People : Turkish and Kurdish people are loving, when I say loving, they take this very seriously and literally. They love loving life. They enjoy life and they love treating their guests. Its wonderful being a guest in this country. Random people buy you chai, random people would love to talk to you, random people will come and help you on the roads. Random people would make your day special in their own special people. yes, these are all random people, but they all would contribute to your day. and random would get as random as a school boy , an old woman, a shopkeeper, a waiter and the list just goes on...
3) Mannerisms : first thing first : Turkish/ Kurdish people do not know the meaning of the word, no ( hayur,yok). They just would not take a NO. even if you are full, even you if you don't like it. they would only look at you with all their might.Their pupils would expand and turkish woman might see this as one of the biggest insults in the history of turkish empire :) Do not take me wrong here, they are lovely set, just that confused set. They really want to make you happy and are emotionally attached to their small small acts. Something I simply love about them. They are passionate and might just break into songs on the drop of a hat. They love their chai( tea) breaks and love discussing about basically anything under the roof...
4) Music : Turkish/Kurdish music is a treat for any foreign ear. Its heavenly to hear people singing on the streets. if you are lucky enough to see a classical band on the street, you are in for a treat. Listen and observe. these are songs of sorrow and romance. these are tales of someone waiting, someone longing for something.I love the Turkish instruments, keman, balama and several other instruments which would take you back to the ottoman period.
5) History : If you love history, turkey is the place to be. Be it Ataturk or Ottoman empire, the city has hints spread all over for you to explore. It has beautiful hamams to beautiful streets. It has wonderful museums to great castles.
6) Food ( yemek!): The best part about turkey is the meat. It is not meant for vegetarians. Let the non-vegeterians unleash their hunger cos this is jannat ( paradise) for them. Be it et ( meat), tavuk ( chicken) or baluk( fish). You would find all varieties everywhere, The lovely ekmeks ( breads) to yummy donesh. to great kunefs( sweets) or sweet baklava. ankara provides everyone something. you have to try Ayran (butter milk). its a great way of enjoying the dry summer.
7) Religion: I had my own share of small affair with Islam and learned a bit more about it. I came with a prejudiced mind and was given beautiful jamis( mosques) in return. I was mesmerized by the wonderful ayezaan and woman in headscarves looked prettier to me. I refuse to see the political debate in it, but was definitely taken into by the great mevlana souls.
Ankara was polite and generous to me. It was kind to a stranger and the people left such a beautiful memory with me. I even started hugging and kissing people like the Turks. like someone said in turkey do what the turks do!
and yes turks love smoking, be it woman with or without head cover they love it. its their national pastime, and they have to smoke :)
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