‘It sounds like a young schoolboy would be citing a poem’ giggled Karolis. ‘Baharahbarah’ newspaper seller must have been suggesting to everyone they need to read today’s hottest news. Amidst the sea of chaos it did sound a bit like children’s curse. Up till now this secretive language to us was nearly impossible to grasp. Almost all the drivers that took us to their cars either used to start speak loudly as if we could understood them better, or behaved with us as with mute – just whispering and using a lot of body language. Apon our arrival home, I can see, we will be unbeatable in sharades – by now we succeeded few humourous conversations with some basic information we could fish out from their speedy speach. ‘Merhaba’ I always try to be polite greeting them in Turkish either it would be a shopkeeper or a truckdriver. I manage to say ‘tashekulir’ (thanks) to satisfy all the gooddeed doers. Otherwise we smile stupidly as if we understood a thing whilst they must be saying something of greater or lesser importance to us. ‘Barabarahbarah’ two elderly are shouting something to us, and Karolis nodding with a wide smile obviously whilst doing something opposite of they were suggesting – we are going quite a different direction from what they suggesting. It almost feels like a game but in real life. We have already had no problems of getting to the right places, as we found the purchase of Turkey’s map of vital importance. Indeed it plays a big part – the frequent usage can be observed in the width and number of holes on it.

Mėlynoji mečetė. | Blue mosque.

Sometimes couchsurfing can be like a card game – you either have success in picking up the right hosts, or.. you just have to trust. After the great care that Kristina and Tolga took of us in Kesan, I was wondering whether we will be able to stay on the top of the warm feelings.
Emrah and Uzgur our Istanbul hosts were relaxed and full of good humour characters. Immediately they made us feel welcome, they opened some Efes beer and retold us some hilarious stories froom their long term friendship.

‘What impression has left Istanbul to you?’ asked Karolis after our full day wonders in quite a majestic city. ‘Two side bladed’ I summarised without a drop of hesitation. One bank of the city was seated with quite a number of mosques that gave a mysterious flavour. Once the sun is set and one imam’s prayer echoes the other if fills you with some shivers. At least for the first time. The inside decor is non the less magnificent. Humble yet elegant and stylish interior with a low set circle of lamps, add some imam’s preaching in a slighly wailing manner, maybe another one praying whilst the beams trying to get inside through the arched window. We were sitting still and in wonder with our jaws dropped at the magnicent sight.

Stambulo eismas. | Istambul's traffic.

There is yet another side of Istanbul, European and surely catching the depeshe mode. We saw some level of superficiality, as glittery shop windows are certainly not our cup of tea or coffee. The crazyness of the sight can get to the extent of mini mad houses hosted in the subways. One of the shops offered everything what your child might want, however, just picture all the battery powered self shooting guns, trucks and ambulances, little Nemos or excavation cars all in their native sounds. Few dolls on the swings bow madly, and green phosphor-eyed cats and dogs jumping around. Add some cheap turkish pop music, and half an hour later you might end at least with a massive headache and might be some personality derealisation sense ‘where the hell am I’.

Stambulo žvejai. | Istambul's fishers.

Bursa has offered yet another flavour, however, it all thanks to Ahmet, another coachsurfer. Ahmet is an artist and so is his lovely sister, both working in the art studio. Afer they got to know I have completed my art therapy studies, the questions were never ending. Their lovely mom whilst prepared some tea in two storyed kettle- the bottom one for hot water, the upper one for concentrated tea. As it becomes a usual sense – we haven’t had a chance to get some proper food, so cozy dinner with strong but extremely tasty cheese, yoghurt, some veggies and ehm, the best olives that have been prepared by one of the Ahmet’s student. Their lovely mum with whom I could only exchange smiles, suddenly comes with her knitted hat and scarf. ItI had no words, because it just feels we have been packed with gifts all the way.
The visit of their utterly cozy studio with a dozen of young people all drawing, gave me another needed experience. I always value so much the opportunity to meet up with local, as of my own interest with groups of young people, to get to know more about what’s important for them. This time they bombarded me with questions, about art therapy and artists, whilst Karolis sneakily captured some of their works.

Studijoje su mokiniais. | In studio with the students.

I can tell now, that Turkey has been certainly very hospitable to us. All drivers have been either excellent in taking us to their cars, sometimes driving much further than they needed, a lot of them shared some sweets, chocalates and water, one of them offered a hot meal, which was extremely needed as that night -15 was awaiting us. Drinking hundreds of cups of tea in the tiny glasses so pleasantly to be held. Can you just imagine that in any town the town hall workers and police people would come outside whilst its well below zero and offer some hot tea, call from their mobile phones to our hosts, and genuinely care about how we are. All couchsurfing experiences have been superb, and we would like to bow down with gratitude to all our hosts – its been a great please, massive cultural experience and exquisite hospitality.

Arabų raštmenys. | Arabian writings.

After all Cappadocia was the peak experience for me. Rocks formed at least 60million years ago when the volcano was still active with hundreds of caves in them bore a mystery and superior beauty. ‘Why are you coming here, when its so cold?’ Maybe to experience that grandeur in solitude, rather than pushing the way through with your elbows with thousands of tourists who just flow in this area. It all belonged to us. Short hike, and before the sun set down we found a cave to sleep overnight. I’d say it was the most necessary accommodation that night, with the most desperately needed fireplace, the most delicious simple porridge and herbal tea. Sorted. The fire kept on burning for a long time, and I was happy to get few hours of sleep. The sleep in wet sleeping bag whilst it is 15 subzero it is quite a fresh and tough experience. I cuddled all in my sleeping bag looked how the fire reflections play with shadows on the walls of our cave, and only tried to imagine how cavemen had to live. I looked at the stars in the deep sky, and after some bread with nearly frozen natural honey, I could feel how desired sleep slowly sneaks into my tired but excited mind. That what I longed for, challenging but close connection with nature.

Kapadokijos urvai olose. | Kapadokya caves.

It seems before we are getting our Iran visa, we will pay a visit to the neighbouring countries. Georgia, here we come…