Antalya-tastic

A few days before coming to Antalya, besides from tearing my hair off and biting my nails out of nervousness (and anxiety, and happiness, and sadness, and melancholy… Let’s just not talk about it), I was seriously wondering whether it was going to be worth it. To be completely honest, the thought of going to a country whose language was a complete mystery to me, and where I would not even know how to order a burger at the local restaurant or buy some yoghurt for breakfast, truly scared me. Because, of all places I considered moving into when making the huge step of entering the professional world, Turkey was the last country I would have thought of.

Ok, I didn’t even think about it.

  

So, when I got off the plane, facing the oh-so-feared 30 degrees at eight o’clock in the evening, carrying my whole life in 5 heavy bags, I didn’t know what to think, what to do or what to say (most of all, what to say apart from “hello, how are you?”). Luckily, my BFF and her husband, the best people ever, were here to help me, and I could not thank them enough for what they did for me. Seeeriiiously.

(But I don’t want to get into details of how I got here, with my 756 kilos, my stuffed sheep and my Moulin Rouge poster).

Ten days have passed now, and I can say this city inspires me. I can’t exactly explain the feeling. I found my way into writing again. I’m always willing to discover more. I try to learn a new word every day by reading out loud whatever I see on the streets. And right now, sitting on my balcony, I poorly attempt to perpetuate my thoughts, mesmerized by the abrupt cultural difference, but I can only think of that moment when I’ll make my way through the uncountable landscapes, little towns, beaches, mountain trips and anything Turkey-related. I want to express how delighted I am to be here, I want to use gigantic words to show off my emotion, but I can only say I’m happy.

And I don’t usually show off my feelings…     

Because sleeping with your window wide open and being waken up at 5 am by azan, to then watch the sunrise with a five-coloured sky, having chips for breakfast, greeting someone by telling them "may work come easy to you", or going to the local shop and having the fruit seller pick you the best and bigger melon, has no price. This is the place where traffic can be as chaotic as back in Colombia, where there’s a Camii in every single corner, each one prettier than the other, where it feels like holiday every day, and where you can have both beach and mountains, all in one. Snow and sea. 22 degrees in November?

So, in the meantime, I’ll just stay with this:

 

Kaşar peyrini with some kavun and vişne suyu.

 Bitti. 

Özdilek Adventures

Today was my first "day out" with my best friend in Antalya. For a long time, I had warned her about my huge shoppingaddiction need to buy clothes for work, as I had to get rid of... Nearly 3/4 of my wardrobe when moving here.

I don't want to remember it.

Anyways, after a few morning chores, we headed to a closeby shopping centre called Özdilek. We had been there before last weekend for about five minutes, when quickly running to buy a few things before going back home. We had the whole afternoon awaiting for us, and we were gonna enjoy it, since the last time we had gone shopping together, we kinda looked like this:

Unicentro, 2005

(Ok, maybe this wasn't the last time. We were only 14 and our shopping consisted in bags full of sweets to eat whilst going to the cinema). 

So, in order to not break the tradition (or break the rules, or keep the diet), we had our mandatory McDonalds for lunch. After quickly looking at the menu (completely unnecessary, since we knew what we were getting anyways), we ordered and sat down to savour this and chat about nonsense.

Özdilek, 2014

  

I didn't finish it.

Time passed by and we went over all the shops we could afford. Which can come as a bit of a joke, considering that pretty much everything is affordable in this blessed country. I was always scared of using my card every time I went shopping in France, mainly because my budget was enough to buy... A pair of jeans and an average top (if going to cool stores). I was therefore surprised and pleased to spot lots of lovely clothes, accessories, shoes, summer clothes to make up for the 100 kilos of clothes I had to give away back in France.

I was happy.

Here are a few snaps of what I got:

I needed those trainers. Turkish fast food is going to kill me otherwise.

Turkey, Part 1

So... While freezing having a break from the heat wave with the 18 degrees A/C, sipping some cherry juice and listening to Angus & Julia Stone, I should start this little leisure/random/throw-in-your-thoughts blog by saying how thrilled I am to be here.

Because I am. It's been a week since I stepped foot in the Kebap, Bulgur, Köfte land and way more.

And I am working here.

It could be worse, right?

Anyway, I am thrilled to be here. And the decision wasn't obvious to take. I had been living in Lyon, France *tear, tear* for five years, and my life didn't seem to be following its right pace there. When I finally figured out I was having one of those so known love-hate relationships with my city, I stepped in for a change. I first asked myself about the lead to follow next. Move out, get a job, stay under the blankets and cry?

And then I thought, what could be more appropriate than changing house, neighbourhood,town, country, continent, language, culture, food habits lifes?

 Turkey.

Yeah.

So even when I don't get a thing of what people are telling me (apart from a few words my best friend has already taught me, hooray!!!) I feel so much more at home. I love its beautiful chaos. Its fresh bakeries that take me back home, when my dad used to take us at 6 am to buy bread. Its simple yet warmful welcoming.

I still haven't seen anything from here. This place has so much to offer, I get even scared of not seeing all of it.

PS. Pictures coming soon. I still have to get over the fact of being 30 degrees at 9 in the evening. Every-d-a-y.