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Trip Start
Jun 11, 2006
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24
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Trip End
Aug 10, 2006
Hamilton, New Zealand
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Finally I am back home and I have to say it is a surreal feeling being here. The last year seems so far behind me as just 4 days after coming it feels as if I never left. I guess that is the way with friends and family. However in some ways I feel like and outsider looking in on my own culture. When the people talk to me I find myself analyzing how they act and speak and what the culture actually is like here. Hamilton itself is so slow. I guess it always has been in a way, but coming back it seems so much more. Before I had university to study, golf to play and I would zip off to one friends or another and was always on the move. I guess because I have little to do for a while it seems more slow... Its nice just to rest though.
The weather is cold here. I shouldn't really complain. I mean its nothing like the winter in Istanbul which was absolutely freezing (the word miserable springs to mind). It is about 9 during the day and a little above zero during the nights. When the sun comes out during the day its warm. However, as the winters seem to do here it rains once every hour very hard, just to remind us that it is still winter. No snow though thank goodness.
However I do say that a little prematurely because on Friday I head to the south island and down there it does happen to be snowing. It will be a time to visit my Sister who I have not seen for about three years, and an older half brother who I never actually met before, so Im kind of excited about that. Also this time I will use the snow to my advantage and get out and do some snow boarding and winter sports.
The last two months have been a blast. The middle east was full of some of the most friendly people in the world and in a way I wish I could stay there longer. The food was amazing and as I went from one place to another finding adventure I would have to say it has been one of the most exciting times in my life. From the solitary travel in Eastern Turkey to the bombs in Lebonon, From the peaks of Mt Sinai to the hospitality of the Syrians, from the Holy city of Jerusalem to the Resorts on the Dead sea... Not to mention living in Istanbul, which has to be one of the most ascetically appealing cities in the world... it truly has been an adventure of a life time. The following are judt some of the highlights of the trip.
Best street food... 1st Equal... Falafel in Jerusalem near the fruit hostel outside the Damascus gate (only one buck) and street shawarma in Raqqa... (a place no travelers really go, but hey).
Most frightening experience... Being awoken by the bombs in Beirut which were seemingly very near.
Most disappointing experience... 1st Equal... getting sick on my very first day and not punching my ticket in the Hungarian underground resulting in a ten Euro fine.
Best night life... Istanbul rocks... something for everybody, the only problem is you usually need girls to get into all the best places. The 'reggae bar' and 'eski beruit' are two of my favorites and you don't need girls. Friday, Saturay and Wedensdays are best...
Best dining... I forget the name. A flashy place in the Christian district of Allepo.. check it in the lonely planet if you are interested. Cost about 8 bucks and was absolutely delicious and really posh (although we bought the flashiness down a notch or two). Loads of Mezzes and a main and the other boys all had beer... 8 bucks you cant go wrong.
Worst dining... Probably the Cows brains I had in Bulgaria... still, now Ive eaten them I wont have to again.
Most Spiritual experience... Reading a Psalm in the Bible as I watched the Sun rise from the peak of Mt Sinai having walked there all through the night...
Most surprising city... Belgrade in Serbia. The people are really friendly and most speak English. Great night life and an attractive city. Much different to what I had thought.
Best Beach... Olympus in the South of Turkey (two hours from Antalya). A backpacker haven situated in a canyon type valley with ancient ruins surrounding it. The valley runs down to the beach passing loads of backpacker tree houses. A great place to relax.
Most uncomfortable situation... sharing a taxi with 3 Arabs and an Israeli girl (I was seen to be with the Israeli girl).
Most irritating thing about travel... Every taxi driver, almost without fail, would try and rip me off.
Best cultural experience... Dancing at a Kurdish wedding in the east of Turkey.
Scenic highlight... Jerusalem the holy city and going where Jesus had walked and died, seeing his tomb as well as the wailing wall, and the Dome of the Rock (mosque).
Biggest learning experience 1st equal.... Seeing the way the Palestinans are treated (almost like apartied in South Africa) and Ashwitz in Poland, where millions of Jews were murdered, probably the reason the Israeli government believes its justified in doing what it does...
Most painful experience... Water in the eye in the dead sea (extremely salty)
Most surprising incident... Running into a friend I had met in Eastern Turkey on a street in Poland. Neither of us knew the other was anywhere in the area... Krazy!
Anyway I could probably go on and on but Im sure you are pretty bored by now. Look forward to catching up with many of you. Don't be shy to write an Email and those in New Zealand can call me on 07 8537080
Ciao for now
Marc
Comments
Welcome home
dear marc,
glad you had a good time and arrived back safe and sound. i dare say a couple of months on the road can teach you stuff that two years of intercultural studies at university never will - although i am sure that the stuff you did learn in your head before going helped you process the stuff you saw while you were on the road. every blessing, c de b
MARRRC
Hi marc...I lost your email and the address to this blog...i have just been looking through it and it looks great! i was worried about you in the middle east but just talked to karl and he said you were safe. if you get a chnace email me...then i can have your address...smile4kd@hotmail.com
Hope you are enjoying being home! XOKelly