Just came across a saved entry from the first Yuppie Nomad blog I kept during my 18 month trip RTW. Love this one about being home abroad in a place familiar but still full of adventure. Can’t wait for that next reunion with home.
Back in ’Bul [Originally published Nov ‘06]
We landed amid a solid blanket of dark grey storm clouds. As I walked through the airport, I could already feel the winter chill. I stopped in the restroom to put on notable layers for the first time since Mongolia, a couple of continents, a volunteer job, and approximately 12 months ago. Blue long-sleeved T - green short T - white striped button-up collared 3/4 length shirt - tuxedo jean jacket, all topped off with a tan cap/beenie hat. I would soon add 2 more shirts (my whole tops wardrobe less one). But I didn’t care — I was back in Istanbul! I remarked in my blog upon arriving in Istanbul, how it felt like home - version Asia Minor. Since my first visit in September, I’ve gotten to test this feeling twice, once after traveling around Turkey, and now, after traveling in Egypt. Across three seasons (possibly four, ask any Turkish person about their weather) and four different hotels, I can confidently say (as I often do) that I was right.
There is something to be said about the sense of unfamilar familiarity you get when you revisit a destination, particularly a city. The important stuff generally stays the same - the public transport, the major landmarks, but was that store there before? Former adventures in street food become satsifactions of cravings. The stuffed mussels, btw, are devine. Should at least be 3 for 1 lira, maybe even 4 if the guy is generous. Istanbul also brought the comforts of seasons back to this East Coast American girl — it sleeted the second day we were back. Comfort is a strange way to think about sleet I suppose, and to be honest, I would have preferred the springlike temperatures of Cairo, but I guess it’s all about framing. To me, the sleet reminded me of cities in the winter — the great ones, like New York and London, where there’s warmth to be had in cozily-lit boutiques and thick hot chocolate, whenever you tire of strolling. Add Istanbul to this list.
In other news, I’m happy to report that after 15 months on the road, I am still a New York snob. Even though I had to work everything I owned in Istanbul, being in a happenin’ urban environment made me strive to maintain my vanity. I tried different combos of top layering to make it look like it was a fashion statement rather than lack of wardrobe and bought some funky gloves and a sweater to make it work. My standards have by now bottomed out and yet, I still have some! To me, this is good news.
