Business Trip to Istanbul
As I said before I’ve always wanted to travel overseas. Since I was a kid I was full of a burning passion for adventures and long sailing journeys. A yearning for the unknown faraway lands just like in the classic adventure novels. Back in my teens my favorite adventure novels were Jules Verne‘s The Mysterious Island and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to go on such travels during my childhood or teens. I could only imagine myself as “the princess of the pirates”! Maybe that’s why I turned out to be a bookfreak. I loved to open a book and step into a world full of magic and adventures. I loved to join the hero of the story (sometimes as his girlfriend;)) and explore the world of that book fulfilling the quest or fighting the destiny…
Finally, in May 2014 when I was 28, my dream came true. One day my boss asked me if I can to go on a business trip with her. I was like: ‘To Istanbul?’ ‘Oh yea… Why not?’ I was so excited for this trip as I have heard a lot about this city. Well, I knew a business trip is not the same as an adventurous one planned by yourself but still. It was me traveling abroad for the first time in forever! I remember that I didn’t have much time to properly pack up my stuff for this trip. Besides, I didn’t know how I should dress for a business trip abroad. Living in Iran all my life with its strict dress code for women, I had no idea what to take with me for this trip!
Our Flight to Turkey
Anyway, I picked up two formal dresses and a white blouse and I decided to buy some new jeans when I got there. The night of departure arrived and I took a cab to the airport where I was supposed to meet my boss and her best friend Nastaran. Nastaran was a TV actress and a very beautiful one. They both had traveled many times to Istanbul before but for me it was the very first time. No matter how hard I tried to hide my excitement I guess my eyes were glowing and therefore giving me away!
Sightseeing
After two hours or more, cabin crew asked us to fasten our seat belts and be prepared for landing. I had a very memorable view from my window. A Mediterranean city with ferries and seagulls. The view was exactly like the ones you see in the movies filmed in port cities. A city by the port. And the sea…How lovely! At Ataturk airport, it was a strange feeling for me to see women in public without the usual cover-ups that we have in Iran. Also I could imagine myself having the freedom to let go of the scarf in public. What a nice feeling! An hour later we checked in at Avantgarde Hotel which was located around the corner of Taksim Square. After a short rest, we went for a coffee and sightseeing.
I really enjoyed our walk in the streets of Istanbul wearing no headscarf or knee-length dress. I wonder how a state can deprive its citizens of their most basic human rights. Those rights that are naturally given to everyone in every other country on earth. And for what unacceptable religious excuse? To this day my question has remained unanswered in Iran. So I was happy on our first day! Well, I had to take part in a data management training course during my stay. Actually, that was the main reason of our trip as I was a translator/interpreter for our company and I was the one who should be present at all business meetings either for a friendly coffee or a formal dinner.
Dinner cruise
Although, I did not plan this trip I was enjoying myself very much. It was spring and the weather was pleasant. We went to the cafes by the sea in the evenings. Walking along the Bosphorus was refreshing. You could see the seagulls everywhere… We were invited to a dinner cruise on the 3rd day of our trip. I was reluctant to wear a revealing dress or drink alcohol on that night. Well, I know it may seem funny but I was different back then so I felt like I was fine and I was already having so much fun! Being born after 1979 revolution, I had a strict religious upbringing and I was told that most earthly pleasures were forbidden to us. Shi’a Muslims consider any kind of enjoyment as a distraction from God. Strict annoying doctrines for life!
That Night
I have a soft and tender memory of that spring night on a recreational yacht in Turkey. Well, I was single but it was a romantic night and to me it was so delicate and dreamy! Breathing fresh air cruising on the Bosphorus while listening to a light dance music and having dinner… Part of the program included a young Turkish couple performing a thrilling dance. They were wearing traditional Turkish costumes and exchanged a red rose as a symbol f love.
After an hour I went to the upper deck. A soft breeze was in the air… I was thinking to myself: ‘This is the last Asian country and beyond these waters lies my beloved Greece.’ The epic land of heroic tales. The land of Persia’s ancient enemies…’. I felt a chill over my body. A guy came up and asked if I needed his coat. Well, I was not in the mood for a fling. To be honest, I always lose a chance with a guy like that! That’s me! Can’t help it I guess if I’m not interested. That night I was so immersed in my thoughts; I had to wait for another time and another trip to see Europe…
Memories
All in all, I told you about all the highlights of my Istanbul trip. The memories of me traveling abroad for the first time! Oh, I almost forgot to mention my excitement upon passing by Galatasaray Stadium. I used to be a hardcore football fan in my teens. Back then I loved Champions League and my favorite European club was Leeds U.T.D. In early 2000s they had to play against Galatasaray in this Stadium. What I remember well is that two Leeds fans were stabbed by Turkish hooligans and the English sports media followed up this incident for months. Thus, seeing this football stadium in reality was nostalgic to me.