Country girl in Istanbul... :0D

I have been in Istanbul for a week now. I arrived sleeping on the train, woken up at 1AM to get out and buy my Visa, and in the morning hearing a man singing...Gooood Morrrning Istanbul!!! over and over, so everyone will get up as we were arriving. I watched the sun rise over the Bosphurous my first morning as I entered the city on the train....and Mustafa and Oguzhan were there at the station to pick me up, so welcoming and accomodating. I mentioned I dont eat meat...and they were like...yes yes...no pork or cow?......NOTHING!!??? no meat?!! and they decided I have not lived yet, as I have never been to Turkey, nor have I had a real Kebab....and Oguzhan decides that I must change my ways in Turkey. I happily agree. For breakfast that morning I joined him and his friends, and I tried the spicy sausage...it was good, but Im so not used to it...or the idea of eating animal....but we will see.
My stay here has truly been a dream. Niyazi's friends are absolutely wonderful people, so open and so fun.
My day constists of waking up...later and later...as we stay out later and later....my day is simple...I have been resting and getting well after a bad sore throat all week...making some food, studying a bit of Turkish...by the evening I enjoy walking down to Bebek (or getting a taxi as the hill is stupidly steep)...a very popular district on the water, coffee shops, cafes...bars....restaurants, a little park. Bebek means Baby in Turkish. It is breathtaking everytime I walk along the water, the lights of the Asian side all over the hill side lighting up ancient buildings, all the boats, from a beat up dingy to a glitzy beautiful wooden yacht docked by the pathway...
Ozy has taken me out to really nice places and has shown me around the different main areas, we have SUCH a great time. I love his company, he is helping me with my Turkish, and always tests me by asking...'what is this place called..?' or 'what is the name of this dessert..?' I love it! And happily remember most of the time....
I visited the Blue Mosque the other day, It was stunning. The day was cloudy and rainy, but the building had an ancient presence. I arrived right at Prayer time, with the Call to Prayer singing through the city, back and forth between the Mosques. That night we visited Taksim, and then back to Bebek meeting more of Ozy's friends. I love the life here. Its funny bc Im such a small town girl at heart...going to bed early...I enjoy knitting by the fire...such a grandmother! But there is always so much going on and so many smiles and open hearts to meet!!! Life is so full!!! I just can't believe it everyday that I am in Istanbul. I always have to just stop and breath it in. My heart melts every day. Life is just too full of possibilities, I can do anything, and be anything, its almost too much at times. haha I hope to find a place to stay for a while longer and meet more people and emerse myself more into the city.
HAHA! This week around 10 or 11 I was literally getting ready for bed and Ozy calls....'So! are you ready to go Clubbing?!....Ill pick you up in an hour...' 'YES! ok!' (get out of my PJs....its quite sweet of him to think I need and hour to get ready...which I sadly dont have much clothes or any makeup...so Im ready in about 5 minutes....sweet!) But even tho I feel badly dressed and slightly out of place at times, I love it. Its the whole experience of shattering who I am used to being, what I am used to doing and feeling comfortable with and what I am used to wanting or knowing to be possible is beyond any of my wildest dreams...but simple at the same time.
A country girl in the city. lol That's me right now....its quite embarressing at times....but what the hell...who cares?
haha