Reflections
Trip Start
Jun 22, 2009
1
5
Trip End
Jul 22, 2009
Istanbul, Turkey
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Almost a year ago, I entered Garfield High School to find that freshman year is about as rigorous as convincing my dad to buy junkfood (not at all). I was frustrated by a dull curriculum, and not looking forward to a year of boredom. Then I found Rotary International. Passing through interviews, completing paperwork, attending meetings, all with the goal of international travel really gave me something to focus on and look forward to. I also gained in confidence when I was accepted, and there was a definite sense of accomplishment about what I had achieved.
The next hurdle was financing. A round-trip ticket from Seattle to Istanbul is a lot of money and we were in the middle of a global financial crisis. I decided to write a fund-raising letter, in the hopes that a few people who were doing relatively well would contribute. The results were both incredible and empowering. People who I thought didn't really have money to give responded to my letter with enthusiastic responses and generous donations. When I added it all up, the price of that ticket didn't seem nearly so ridiculous. It was empowering to know that I had so much support and that ideas like this one are actually feasible when you ask for some help.
Almost a month has passed since I arrived in Istanbul. I believe I have grown as a person, in confidence, independence, world perspective, and probably in many other ways that I am unaware of. Writing the blog was extremely rewarding, with all the positive feedback and the many visits that my profile has gotten. I have had a huge amount of support the whole way, and that has been really gratifying. I really have developed a passion for travel with this trip.
At every checkup, my doctor asks me if I've thought about what career I might be interested in, and what I plan to do with my life. At my last checkup I didn't have an answer for him. I now know that I plan to pursue a Bachelors degree in International Relations, then join the Peace Corps for a couple years, then probably either look into the United Nations or the Department of State as a diplomat and then ambassador. I know now that I can flourish in an international position, and it all started here.
I realize this entry should be telling you what's been going on since our last correspondance, so I'll bring everyone up to speed on where the last week+ has taken me. As expected, I have continued to play soccer, learn Turkish, and tour Istanbul's limitless supply of mosques and museums. I took a number of walks with the family along the Bosphorus. Yes, Ms. Becerra, yesterday I was cleansed in one of the famous Turkish baths. I also enjoyed a concert from one of Turkey's biggest music stars, Candan. She had a lot of energy for a woman of about 60, and the whole production, held in a huge amphitheater, was surprisingly similar to a western concert of the same kind, though all the songs had a clearly Middle Eastern flavor.
I have seen not one but two Turkish weddings, one official and one traditional. The traditional one in particular was of great cultural intrest to me, in addition to being a lot of fun. It was held back in the village, with well over one hundred family members attending. The dancing, music, hand tattoos, and candlelit processions were all very foreign and made for an interesting evening, which stretched on until 1:00 AM. I got a tattoo for myself, learned the dances, and took a lot of videos, which unfortunately I've had trouble loading onto the blog. (Ms. Koroch, I have a number of varied Turkish music samples which I will bring back to America on a CD and try to send you).
In these final days I feel like I'm really getting to know Turkey. It's language, music, customs, traditions, food, and people have all begun to feel familiar to me. I have also seen some fantastic sights--the Haya Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Dolmabahce Palace, the Grand Bazaar--and I now have a concept of what it means to have two thousand years of history. Istanbul is an incredible, fascinating city, and they ways in which this developing nation is influence by its history and tradition, as well as by western civilization is very intriguing.
I'll end this entry with a reflection on Turkey and it's people:
Maybe the most commonly asked question I hear here is, "How does Turkey compare to America?" I think this question comes from the fact that Turks are really proud of the nation Ataturk created almost a century ago. I often hear frustration about the fact that Turkish people have to learn Enlish while Americans never learn their language. Though there were never any anti-American feelings expressed (excluding "I hate George Bush"), there was a sense that they felt belittled by the western attitude towards them. Western states may be more powerful than Turkey, but these people know they have made great progress and have a legacy as the "capital of the world". They want recognition and respect, and I don't think that's too much to ask.
Thanks again to everyone who was in any way involved in this experience, and I'll see you in Seattle.
Gulay gulay,
Will
Comments
Wonderful blog!
Your writing style is IMPECCABLE. I can see why the Rotary Club chose you to go on such a grand adventure. Thanks for sharing your blog with us on TravelPod, I hope you continue to write more in the future.
Louise Brown
TravelPod Community Manager