Two Worlds Collide

This past weeks was one where several times my two worlds collided: America and Turkey.  While you may be thinking, "DUH, Caroline you're an American in Turkey of course this will happen."  I would respond, "Well yes, BUT did you ever expect me to go see the Celtics play Fenerbahçe in Istanbul... even better did you ever expect me to see the Celtics get there butt handed to them by Fenerbahçe in Istanbul in Asia?"  My guess is this probably wasn't what you expected.  
My weekend began on Friday as I traveled over to Asia to Ülker Sports Arena to watch the Boston Celtics play the Fenerbahçe Sports club (one of many sports clubs in Istanbul).  Walking into the arena I immediately felt at home as I pretty much grew up in the old Charlotte Hornets Arena and still enjoy going to see the Charlotte Bobcats.  But lets be real, my recent home arena is Cameron Indoor and there really is no other place like it!  While going to see a basketball game in Istanbul was not on my Bucket List for this semester, it definitely happened.
The funniest part of the whole evening though is that (besides the fact that the announcer was talking in Turkish and I had a tavuklu dürüm (chicken wrap) from the concession stand) I felt like I was back in America.  The whole set up of the game was the same- the teams, the dancers, the t-shirt toss, the popcorn, and there was even a stereotypical asian girl riding a unicycle flipping bowls onto her head at half time.  Needless to say I was in heaven and didn't realize how much I miss home until that moment.  This feeling continued on to the next day when I watched ESPN Game Day which was happening in Columbia at USC.  While I was working on my Turkish homework, the football talk just got me all nostalgic and wishing I was home watching Duke beat up on UVA.  But then the Istanbul dogs began barking and I realized where I was, and well Istanbul is an incredible city and I'm determined to explore every nook and cranny.

My exploration began in Sultahnamet the next day as our group toured Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofia, and the Basilica Cistern.  Basically we covered the top tourist attractions of Istanbul...exactly a month after our arrival (oops?).  Topkapi Palace was huge and magnificent, granted I can't believe I didn't expect this since everything we've seen that was built by the Ottomans has been huge and magnificent.  Seriously though, the kitchen fed around 5,000 people regularly.  And don't get me started on the jewels or the bejeweled thrones, daggers, letter boxes, and pen cases.  I mean these people knew how to live in style.  But walking through the harem and being told the way that they lived, I couldn't help but think,"life would be great if you were the mother of the crowned Prince, otherwise it would kind of stink."
As a woman during that time you were just expected to lay around and pop out kids and pray that it was a boy and that he became Sultan next.  Laying around is great and all but I go crazy if I'm not busy doing something and I'm really not ready to think about kids yet.




The Blue Mosque was beautiful and very grand and yes it is blue BUT it's blue in the sense that the tile they used on the inside of the Mosque is all blue and white.  You see being of Central East Asian decent the Ottomans admired the Chinese porcelain and in Iznik expert tile makers did their best to recreate the blue and white color for this magnificent mosque.  It was not my favorite mosque experience (and by now I can say I've had many a mosque experience).  The whole affair felt very touristy and it really upset me when we walked in and several women had been given shawls at the doors but they wrapped them around their shoulders instead of their heads.  It was just very disrespectful and made them look very ignorant.  It worried me that the Turkish citizens were constantly seeing these people act in this way and I'm sure they were thinking, "stupid western tourist, can't even be respectful of the Islamic faith for 10minutes."  I really hope that wasn't the case but to be honest that's what I was thinking and I am a western tourist. 

The Aya Sofia was probably my favorite place we toured.  Walking in one can't help but be humbled by the size and grandeur of the place.  But more importantly it was truly a symbol of Christianity and Islam colliding (my other worlds as I am a Christian but am exploring the Islamic world currently).  It was incredible seeing the ancient mosaics from the days it was a magnificent Basilica and then turning slightly and seeing these huge circles with Arabic script written on them.  In this one place an individual is able to walk in and truly see and feel both the importance of religion to the region and the history of the clash between the two.  It was truly incredible and once this sank in the call to prayer began.  It was the most beautiful call I had heard (partly because I was on a high from what I had just seen but more importantly because it was a duet between the Blue Mosque and the Aya Sofia).























Finally our day ended with a trip to the Basilica Cistern.  Located right beneath Sulthanamet and the Aya Sofia is a hidden wonderland.  As we descended the stairs I couldn't help but feel like I was in an ancient fairy land.  With water, fish, and columns scattered throughout it is hard not to feel like you have stepped back in time.  What is fascinating is that for centuries it was used by people who knew about it as a great fishing hole.  Locals would go through their basement and get into boats that would take them to this hidden wonderland.  I of course kept thinking, "Man this would make an awesome spa!"  I could've spent all afternoon there relaxing and meditating (even though I've never meditated before).  It was so peaceful and truly the perfect way to end a very hectic and full day of touring. 

 My final two worlds that are colliding currently are that of my life in college and my plans for after college as I work to figure out internships for this summer.  Time is flying by and I really can't believe that I am a Junior in college with one full year left before I graduate.  Looking up at the bulletin board above my desk I have pictures from home of my friends and family.  It seems like just yesterday I was graduating high school, that I was a going to Clover football games, and singing in the Choraliers.  And then I turn around and see the amazing memories I've made in college and it makes me sad to think that this chapter is also coming to a close.  But in reflecting on all of this I've also realized that time keeps going, I keep making amazing memories, and the people who have always wanted to be a part of my life still are and will always be.  So while yes one chapter ends, it doesn't mean that the characters in that chapter just disappear, they take on new roles and continue to be apart of my book of life.  Plus I get to move forward and make more amazing memories as I continue to strive to live in the moments that make me happy. 

Sending you All my Love from Turkey <3