Travel Letter: 10 Days in Türkiye, a Journey to Freedom

In 2018, I embarked on a journey to Türkiye with a few friends, filled with anticipation for the unknown. Over the course of ten days, I was swept away on a colorful adventure, immersing myself in a land of mystery and passion. On our first day in Istanbul, we encountered a minor setback. A taxi driver took us on a detour, charging us extra. Standing on the bustling street, looking at the bill in my hand, I felt a pang of regret. But soon, the city's charm washed away my frustration. Istanbul, a city straddling two continents, is a blend of ancient and modern. The call to prayer from the mosques mingles with the street noise, as if telling stories of a thousand years. We wandered through the narrow alleys of the Grand Bazaar, dazzled by the array of goods. From exquisite carpets to dazzling jewelry, each item radiated a captivating allure. The vendors enthusiastically beckoned customers, introducing their treasures in broken English. Amidst the lively atmosphere, we gradually became part of the city. Leaving Istanbul, we arrived in Cappadocia, the most magical place in Türkiye. Standing in the vast desert, gazing at the undulating, peculiar landscape, it felt like being on another planet. We rented an off-road vehicle and raced through the desert. The roar of the engine echoed in the open space, and the dust kicked up shimmered golden in the sunlight. The wind whistled past our ears, bringing a sense of unrestrained freedom. Like a herd of wild horses, we galloped across the ancient land. As the car climbed a small hill, the view opened up before us. Under the azure sky lay an endless desert, with distant mountains bathed in sunlight, displaying varying shades of brown, like a giant oil painting. We stopped the car, stood on the hilltop, took a deep breath of fresh air, and marveled at the grandeur and wonder of nature. The most unforgettable experience was paragliding in Cappadocia. It happened to be my birthday. At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight touched the mountaintop, I stood there, gazing at the blue sea, filled with anticipation. The instructor and I leaped off the mountaintop, and in that moment, it felt as if the world stood still. We soared through the air like a free bird. Below us, the blue sea sparkled like a giant mirror, reflecting the colors of the sky. The waves gently lapped against the rocks on the shore, creating a soothing sound, as if singing a birthday song for me. The wind whistled in my ears, and the sunlight warmed my body. I closed my eyes, savoring the freedom and comfort, feeling a deep sense of happiness. In that moment, all worries and fatigue vanished, leaving only inner peace and contentment. As I slowly descended from the sky and my feet touched the ground again, I felt as if I had undergone a miraculous baptism, reborn anew. Staying in a cave hotel was one of the most unique experiences of the trip. These hotels, carved from natural rock caves, exude a primitive charm. Entering the room felt like traveling through time, back to ancient times. The cave walls still bore ancient murals, though faded, they still conveyed the wisdom and creativity of the ancients. In the evening, we sat on the terrace of the cave hotel, gazing at the starry sky, sipping Turkish tea, sharing the day's stories, and enjoying the tranquility and beauty. In Türkiye, we also witnessed local pottery making. In a small town, we visited a pottery studio. The studio was filled with various pottery pieces, from exquisite vases to practical tableware, each exuding an artistic flair. We sat at the workbench, watching the potter skillfully work. He placed a lump of clay on the wheel, gently pressing it with his hands, and the clay gradually took shape as the wheel spun. In his hands, the clay seemed to come alive, becoming vibrant. We eagerly tried our hand at making our own pottery under the potter's guidance. Although the finished product was not perfect, the joy of creating something with our own hands was unforgettable. Of course, the famous attractions of Türkiye were the highlights of our trip. We visited the Hagia Sophia, with its towering dome, exquisite murals, and mosaic inlays, marveling at the wisdom and artistic achievements of the ancients. At the Blue Mosque, we were awestruck by the sea of blue. Sunlight filtered through the stained glass, casting colorful shadows inside, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. We also visited Pamukkale, with its cascading white travertine terraces resembling cotton candy, tempting us to jump in. Standing at the top of Pamukkale, gazing at the blue sky and distant mountains, we felt a sense of peace and contentment. However, the trip also left a small regret. Due to the weather, we couldn't ride a hot air balloon. Standing in the valleys of Cappadocia, watching the colorful hot air balloons slowly rise, we felt a pang of envy. They floated in the air, as if waving to us, telling us about the beauty of the sky. Although we couldn't experience it firsthand, watching them rise, I felt a sense of freedom and romance. The ten-day journey in Türkiye was like a rhapsody, filled with wonder, surprise, and emotion. Although we were scammed by a taxi driver on the first day, this exotic country, with its passion and beauty, healed our hearts. Here, we experienced the wildness of the desert, the freedom of paragliding, the mystery of cave hotels, the fun of pottery, and the solemnity of the Hagia Sophia, the dreaminess of the Blue Mosque, and the purity of Pamukkale. Türkiye, this ancient and mysterious land, captivated me and left me with countless beautiful memories. The paragliding experience, in particular, made me feel the power of freedom and believe that life, like this journey, will have setbacks, but as long as there is love and dreams in our hearts, we can find our own sky of freedom.