This place holds a special place in my heart because it was my first ever destination abroad! I have dreamt of visiting some other country some day and it happened a month back, after more than 20 years of waiting!
There were many "firsts" for me in this trip.
- It was my first international trip
- It was my first trip without any of my family members in the last ten years
- For the first time I realised that the Sea can actually feel GOOD and what an amazing experience it is in a temperate climate!
- My first international conference
- First time experience with currency exchange ets etc
- First time experience of a lot of new things to eat, to wear, to travel .....
The beautiful city of Istanbul gave me the confidence I never had. it has infused into me a feeling of happiness. I look forward to life with a wonderful warm feeling. I find everything beautiful, that the world is beautiful, I am beautiful.
|
The Sultanehemet Mosque (Blue Mosque) |
It was liberating to be free of any attachments in that short period of five days. No tension of home, family, kids, work.....
|
Roasted Hazelnuts |
I realised that I can have a life out of home also.....sometimes. And its not bad.
|
A bylane in the city of IStanbul |
I realised my long cherished dream to roam the streets of some new land, with a backpack, a camera and a map in my hand :)
|
Naan, Turkish style |
It feels good to observe the other civilisations, other people, their lives, the differences from ours, the similarity with ours!
|
Marmara sea side |
This trip has infused a freshness into my being that is so much welcome now. I can still fell that cold breeze throush my hair, the beautiful blue sky and sea, the beautiful green all around!
New tastes, some I liked, some I did not. But new experiences neverthless. And I am game for it anytime again.
|
The Turkish Tea |
A new world, so different from ours, yet the same efforts for the daily living.
|
Across the Bosphorous |
And I felll in love with these......
|
Turkish Lamps |