3rd of July, 2022.
Hitchhiking in Turkey.
My CS host in Izmir is expecting me from the 4th. Today is the 3rd. So for that reason, I decide to hang around McDonald’s for the day, camp somewhere around here, and tomorrow carry on to Izmir. I guess I could have asked my host if it was OK for me to come one day earlier, but for some reason I didn’t.
Because McDonald’s is still closed and I have no food, I decide to go around and ask for some bread or left-overs. In the first restaurant I go, a fancy one, they say they cannot do that kind of thing. OK. Then I go to a bakery, Yasar Karadesler, and some really nice ladies from there give me not only a nice and big bread, but also two simits! I love simit!
I watch some films and write. In the evening I decide to walk to a mosque nearby, and ask there if I can spend the night. I have never asked in a mosque before.
On my way to the mosque, I am walking through this small street, with many family houses, buildings, and families all around the place. I consider to ask somewhere, to someone, in case I am not successful in the mosque, for shelter. But I also see a small park in this same street.
I cannot find anyone in the mosque with whom I can talk. I spot three young women leaving a hair saloon and decide to ask them if they know where I could find someone responsible for the mosque. They don’t know but they try to help. They call a friend who lives in the building right in front, where there is a small garden, and ask her if I could camp in there. She says I cannot. So I decide to walk up the street and try the park.
But I have only bread with me. It would be nice if I could have at least some vegetables or really, anything. For some reason, of all the families gathering around their balconies, I spot and decide to ask to Özlen’s family.
I try to explain to them, from the street, what I need, but they are in the second floor, so they tell me to come up. At the entrance of the building, Özlen’s grandmother, a super cute elderly lady, has just arrive so she comes up with me. She is so cute!
At their apartment, I am introduced to Özlen, who can speak English, and all his family: his parents, sisters, aunts and cousins. After I explain to them about my plan and that I just want some cucumbers and tomatoes, Özlen’s mothers invites me to stay for the night. She is so polite and says that, if for any reason I rather not stay, she will understand, but she would love for me to be her guest and spend the night. Özlen does all the translations and, of course, I accept to stay.
We have a very joyful evening. I tell them all about my travels. They serve me some great dinner and tea. I have this great feeling about the eldest lady, Özlen’s grandmother. It is like I know her from before. I talk a bit with everybody through Özlen. I answer their questions and I feel much welcome in their home.
Özlen is a very bright young man. It is so nice to talk with someone from this generation, from a very conservative country, who has such a beautiful and open mind, respectful character and strong personality. He calls a friend of him, Salih, who would like to meet me because he enjoys meeting foreigners, and he come a very long way just to talk to me. I am flattered! I am nobody! Salih is also a very enlightened young man and I hope that, in somehow, I make a good impression on them, helping them to expand their horizons even more, and to have a brighter future.
I wash up and a bit late we all go to sleep. I wanted to stay in the couch but they insist on me taking Özlen sister’s room. Nesibe is incredibly smart and friendly. She loves reading so her room is full of books! What a joy to my eyes and my heart! She also loves Harry Potter and painting. And she has got talent because there are some of her paints around the room and they are beautiful!
We are all up around 8 o’clock. Özlen’s mother leaves early for work so we say our goodbyes before breakfast. She is also a very lovely lady!
Salih also stays overnight, so the three of us and Nesibe have a delicious breakfast. Saddly I have to leave and Özlen has to go to work. Salih accompanies me for some time, until the bus stop. I say my last goodbye to this lovely family and take my way to my hitchhiking spot. What a pleasure, an honour to be gifted with the opportunity to meet such wonderful people, with great hearts!
It is tricky to find a good hitchhiking spot. At first, where I am, it seems good but for some reason I decide I have to move, trying somewhere further away. And that is even after two cars stop and offer help. One of them, a very nice man, in a very nice car, offers me the money for the bus. I kindly refused. Perhaps I shouldn’t. But then, I wouldn’t have met Giannis.
After walking up and down, looking for a better place. I kind of stand near the highway, before a division to two different ways of getting to Izmir. Raising my chances, hopefully.
All of sudden, a car stops and from the inside, this Greek God starts speaking in Portuguese with me, just like we speak with our friends in Brazil: “Sua lôca! Entra aqui no carro! Que que tá fazendo aí no meio da estrada?” (You, crazy! Get in the car! What are you doing there in the middle of the highway?). I couldn’t stop laughing! What a joy! A Brazilian here in the middle of Turkey coming to rescuing me? I am wearing my “Brazil” t-shirt so that’s how, I assume, he knows I am from there.
Giannis is actually half Greek and half Lebanese! So yeah, he is a Greek God! He looks gorgeous, by the way, in a kind of Chris Hemsworth way, but in a brunette version. He has lived in Brazil, in my beloved Rio de Janeiro, for 3 years, so that’s how his Brazilian Portuguese is so perfect! He can easily pass by a Brazilian. He is leaving and working in Bursa now. I understand it is because of work, but Loki, he could and should be leaving in a much nicer place, I think. I mean, even back to Rio. But perhaps he likes the changes and different atmosphere.
Anyway, he is so lovely! The type of person I would love to be friends for life! And without even asking me anything, he tells me he is driving me to the bus terminal, where he will put me in a bus to Izmir. What? He works nearby and he knows, of course, everything around and about. Without telling me a word, he gets the ticket and, not only put me in a bus, but in THE bus. This great company with very spacious buses, where the seats are large, and the space in between them is massive. So fancy! He cares my backpack all the way to the bus, talks with the driver (because of course he can speak Turkish), telling him to take care of me, that I am Brazilian and I am going all the way to Izmir. Before he leaves, he gives me a 200 Turkish bill and tells me I must eat this traditional Izmir sandwich, when I arrive at the bus terminal. He does not let me to refuse, so I take it. After a Brazilian hug in this spectacular person, I say goodbye and I get in the bus, which is just about to leave.
What a wonderful time I am having! First the amazing family of Özlen and now this incredible person, Giannis, on my way. Do I deserve all this goodness in my life? I am blessed!
10 Years Around the World 