It’s been a while.

I am currently in Istanbul, enjoying 10 days here full of conventions and exploring the city. I hadn’t come to Istanbul once since I’d been living here. But I am so happy I made the effort to come, because it’s been one of the best experiences in my life.

But first, a few thoughts. I’ve been really thinking about what I want to do next. Do I.. stay another year in Turkey or do I go too a new country? Or maybe I should come home. Well.. one thing I have learnt in the last year, without any doubt, is that I am a family person. My support and my joy comes from my family. Although I receive those things in many other forms.. my close friends & family mean the whole world to me. To be away from that for even a year.. is difficult. If I could bring everyone with me around the world, I would. I wish so badly to experience these incredible places with ones that I love. But going home can feel really final. Almost like it’s the end of the adventure, and I’m not ready for that. Going home can feel so sweet, and home can be so many different things. People, a city, a house, or even your favourite coffee shop. But for me.. home is an Island. And everything about that Island. But am I ready to go home??

Istanbul

Myyyy oh my!

Istanbul has been a dream. I have never enjoyed a city so much in my life. Millions of people crowding ancient narrow streets might sound intimidating but in reality, its an amazing experience. Everyone here is friendly and helpful, they’re polite and look out for one another. Although, I know it isn’t always that way.. but from what I’ve seen it’s been a proper Turkish experience. Crossing the Bosphorus River into the European side of Istanbul and seeing the Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque along the river was amazing. The food is amazing. The clothes & jewelry are amazing. I am loving every single moment!

Yesterday we went over to see the Hagia Sophia and coming from a small town Canadian, this was an incredible opportunity. But let me share the story of how we got there.

So after you cross the river on a passenger ferry, you can walk across this bridge that has old ahbi’s fishing for tonight’s dinner and tourists soaking in the sites. You have an ancient tower behind you (Galata Tower) and then you have all the mosque’s and grand bazaar up ahead. You walk toward a tram that will take you for a short ride to the mosque’s. But to get on the tram… is a fight. There was three of us, and we were all ready to get on but so was 100 other people. (Might be an exaggeration but it was a lot of people.) Then the doors open, and there is no room. Not even for one. But that doesn’t stop Turks. So we all try to get on. My friend makes.. I make it… and the doors close in front of the last of us. My roommate, looking sad as the doors shut her out of the tram. Lol. Well.. all we can do is meet her at the next station. But this tram is so full that I was standing against four different people and there is no AC… ha. Thankfully, we all make it safe and sound to the mosque area. But not without difficulty!

Now we get in line for the Hagia Sophia. Our heads wrapped in scarves. No shoulders showing. This place is one the oldest mosques in the world, and considered extremely holy. You cannot enter without a scarf and modest clothing. For me.. this was pretty epic. This is one of those places you read about in history books or national geographic.. and here I am. Walking into this ancient place that holds so much history and religious influence was very eye opening. Please enjoy the photos.

It’s really quite hard to wrap my mind around this place.. and just how ancient it is. It’s been almost a year of living here and I’ve loved all of it. But after long thought.. it’s time for me to come home. I am not viewing it as an end to this life, but rather a pit stop in my crazy adventures. Time to spend with my friends and family. And to see the west coast. Ha. So I will see you all very soon!

Lots of love,

Jaydia