Let your travels change you…

It has been a few days since we are back. I feel neither here nor there; stuck somewhere in between. I wake up around 4-5AM, get extremely hungry around 8AM and I am sleepy in the afternoon. But it is not just my body; my mind is elsewhere in a foggy state, either in the tube somewhere in London, getting ready to get off with my sister and nephews to discover a Palace or a Tower, or on a street where I walked with my son in Ankara, reminiscing my youth and feeling the sweet breeze caressing us after we left my sister’s home where we laughed, then I got teary and she made me laugh again.

During our visit in Ankara and then in London, together with family or sometimes old friends, we visited parks, museums, historical monuments, farmer’s market, and we ate the best food one could find on the planet in my opinion. We walked a lot, talked a lot and hugged, and laughed. Time sometimes (especially during the lines either at the airport or a museum) moved slower, other times it went by before we even realized it.

I continued my daily meditation and stayed away from social media. I sat with my mom and dad, TV loud in the background, and listened as my mom told me about her worries and wishes. I felt good in their presence, sometimes teary but mostly smiling. Yes I did get teary a lot this visit, perhaps because impermanence was shadowing my thoughts, and my heart was full to be in my family’s presence. Also, not much was under my control at times which made me uncomfortable but my sisters would always save the day one way or another.

Here we are now. In fact my son is in school as I write this. I hear the beloved sounds of birds from the open patio door, and from the window I see the flowers shining in sunlight, casting dancing shadows on the patio floor. It is good to be back, to be reunited with my husband and our home.

People interact differently out there in Europe, especially in Turkey. They are more concerned with and interested in each other. In taxis and restaurants, they told us about their families and gave advice on which store to shop, how much to pay for an item, which meal to chose, one taxi driver even told me to ‘take good care of my precious mother’. In the past I would have been annoyed at these comments and dismissed them in a heartbeat but this time I felt gratitude for each; for the concern and the attention these people paid to random strangers as if they knew that each interaction is meaningful and deserves sincerity.

Traveling thus moved something in me; taught me how I could contribute better. And no it is not by coloring Instagram feeds.

I want to show up better for my loved ones, even when it is hard to do so. With presence of mind. With loving kindness. To the best of my ability. To witness their goodness, and mine in their presence. To appreciate our basic humanness and vulnerability. To enjoy their laughter. Of course simply to have a cup of tea (or beer) together. And to accept the things we cannot change, and change the ones we can while we still can…

How do your travels change you?

A Farmer’s Market in Ankara, my mom buying red peppers

Authentic streets around Ankara Castle, much to see, if the grumpy teenager permits

London, you are exciting!

Buckingham Palace State Rooms visit was the highlight of the trip and this delicious scone with tart at the Garden Cafe in the Palace was absolutely the best