August 1, 2005 Journal Entry

Today is my last day in Turkey and it is with some sadness that I leave my Sevigilim and my Sevigilim Turkey. The people are gentle souls, the country beautiful and the culture makes us all warm when we visit.

Although I will pass through here again, it will not be for much time or with the same meaning.

I have had some regrets here, I have rested here, I have made friends here and I have gained a lot of weight here. It is time to go!!!

That being said, I have come to appreciate these hard working people that have a wise philosophy on life. You can find men of all ages, betting their beers over a game of backgammen.....eventually paying their fees after work over laughter and assumably girl, work, football, life discussions.

I hope to come back to Turkey one day...sooner rather than later and experience all the things I neglected to do this time...chai with the locals, a balloon ride over Cappadocia, a trip to the black sea and an outing to real Turkey, i.e. Lake Van. I hope to experience another evening with Rakkuuuuuu to make me silly and may all this be shared with a sevigilim that makes me feel warm inside.

Gule, Gule....Turkey!