Azaan

For me, one of the most appealing aspects of coming to Istanbul was the idea of being absolutely surrounded by mosques. Ancient, beautiful, historic, and even modern mosques seem to pepper the entire landscape. And with these mosques comes the regular call to prayer--the azaan.

There's something about the azaan that makes me want to stop in my tracks, close my eyes, kneel on the ground, and just listen. In my entire life, I have yet to hear a muezzin with anything less than a perfect voice, ringing clear and beautiful through the streets. And while this has never been a part of my own religious culture, there's something in it that draws me in. Makes me want to be a better Muslim. Calls for me to do some soul-searching, to connect myself to Islam's roots. I don't know where this comes from, but I can definitely say that this is the feeling that brought me here in the first place.

24+ Hours In

Yesterday was long, to say the least.

Over 9 hours on the plane, 2 hours at the airport, another 2 in the cab (for what should've been a 15-minute ride, according to the taxi driver), and too many spent restless in bed after finally unpacking. Between jet lag and what I've chalked up to a lingering stomach flu, I have been a grumpy traveler since before I even left my house.

But I've already begun to adjust. Armed with Pepto and surrounded by delicious Turkish coffee and tea (and food that my stomach hopefully starts to accept!), I'm finally beginning to actually feel the excitement of the quarter ahead.

After orientation activities for today ended, a few of us walked down to the Bosphorous and took a tour boat on a whim. It was gorgeous and absolutely the right decision, especially after the sheer disorientation I was experiencing up to that point. I didn't expect the language barrier to present such a huge problem. It's not just that I can't understand any of the words, music, or signs around me; it's to the point that I feel like I'm being downright rude because I don't know Turkish customs of politeness. I don't know how to kindly turn down someone who approaches me asking me to buy their goods. I don't know how to say "excuse me" (afedersiniz) or "please" (lütfen). I can barely order food.

This is the first time I've been anywhere in the world in which I have literally zero understanding of the language. I don't know how quickly I'll be able to learn enough to get by, but it's my new goal to try to do so as soon as possible. I came to Istanbul to explore a culture with countless connections to my own, and I know that without Turkish in my pocket, I will deeply struggle to gain the understanding I am looking for.

I have my work cut out for me, but I also have more than my share of adventures ahead of me. Strangely enough, I'm looking forward to classes and getting to talk to someone who can hopefully help unveil some of the magic I know this city has.

For now, though, I have jet leg to get over.