Posts Tagged ‘turkey’

The Long Flight to Turkey

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

 

May, 7, 2009
What is planned on a trip is interesting. What happens on the journey is what makes it memorable. For my first days I have been fortunate to connect with the people of Turkey in small, but personal ways, ways that continue to make me smile and warm my heart.The world is filled with connections. We just need to extend the olive branch and reap  new friendships.

As we met our group at the airport after very long flights from the West Coast of the United States., we were  boarding yet another plane to travel to our first destination, Gaziantep. The man next to me on the plane spoke no English, I spoke no Turkish but we tried to communicate in our own awkward way. I then read my book and he tried to sleep. All around me tired people, including my husband, Dick, were trying to grab a little sleep to make it through the crowded ride to our final destination of our first day. Everyone that is, except for the small, unhappy child with the very caring parents sitting right behind me

As those who know me well, I wear a harmony ball representing earth around my neck. It brings me a sense of peace and harmony in my life . When I am feeling happy or stressed or chaotic, I bring it close to my ear to listen to the chimes and I feel calmed and centered. Each young adult who has become part of Generation Connex Movement has been given a harmony ball with the vision that one day youth will ring their chimes in harmony in every country of the world  at the same, precise moment. The chimes heard around the world for peace, harmony and good wishes for all.

I listened to the crying child, the struggling parents and the rustling of the tired people near me. I took my harmony ball off and began to distract the baby behind me with the sound of the chimes. As my hand tired from holding it behind my head, I handed it to the parents to continue to use it. The baby quieted, the people slept and I read through the flight. As we were nearing the time of arrival, I began to wonder if I was going to be able to retrieve my necklace. And just as I had that thought, I heard the baby cry followed by the sound of the chimes and I knew I was not going to take the harmony ball home with me. It would be a gift, a gift to Amani, the baby I will forever be connected to. The last image etched in my memory is of the parents placing the necklace around the neck of their beautiful child and the warmth of their smiles.

img_27671




Thoughts…Antioch

Monday, May 11th, 2009

 

img_25791

Always expect the unexpected. As we departed for the ancient city of Antakya, or Antioch, I realized I had forgotten  my camera and my tape recorder.

After visiting the second largest mosaic museum in the world we went to a great Turkish restaurant that was packed with local residents having lunch. As our lunch courses began to arrive, a group of students from a nearby high school swarmed in and filled two tables. I could barely keep my attention on the conversations around me as I waited to leap out of my seat to the tables being filled by the young Turkish students. (more…)




Thoughts…Turkey

Monday, May 11th, 2009

 

I have barely been home for two weeks from Israel and I am off again to Turkey for a three-week journey around much of the country, by land and by sea.

It is that ten-hour time difference I am thinking of at the moment. However, that thought fades away as I receive word from our guide on where to go in Istanbul, before we meet up with our tour, to talk to teenagers and continue the conversation that began with American, Israeli and Palestinian youth in April. Apparently, Ortakoy Square  and Istiklai Street by Taksim Square is where Turkish youth hang out or populate the area and most of them speak English.  Erol, our guide, has consented to help me with translations in the more rural areas of Turkey when he is able.

Thank you Erol!

erolphoto1

(more…)