Lingering on the Edge

The last day, once more. Last night was tremendous. It was a night of no room mates, no snoring, no call prayer, just sleep and peace. I feel great for it today. A lot of this trip has been combating the cold- not bitter cold by any means, simply a cold that made things, at times, simply uncomfortable. It seems uncharacteristic of this trip to finish in warmth. I'm not complaining.

I enjoy a really relaxing breakfast with the owners (I'm the only guest), before a wander along the old Byzantium streets towards the shores of the Mediterranean for one last time. I pass the early morning sun worshippers all sitting in the light, enjoying a breakfast on the outer tables of hotels or tavernas, or strolling along the old town ramparts. I take a seat near one of the old cannons, looking down on to the azure waters below me- it's quite a drop. A singular fishing boat navigates its way slowly along the shore heading towards the harbour I visited yesterday. I enjoy a moment in the sun. Its a chance to reflect in the present on the many memories I will take with me from this journey- the people, the towns, the steps back in time, the laughter and the silence.

My farewell to the owners is brief, as I sling on my backpack for one last time, and make my way out the door. I follow the tramlines, once more, to the Airport bus station on the main shopping street. A friendly driver helps me heave it in the back. I take a seat, and breath a sigh. Looking at the steadying stream of tourists, sometimes it's easy to spot the difference between the new arrivals and the one's who have been here a while. Observing some of the newbies, I cast my mind back to the start of my trip several weeks ago, and remember my expectations, thoughts and plans. There is always an ambivalence to these moments- part of me feels like it was an age ago and another part feels like I'm only really just beginning, just as it actually all concludes. I rest my head against the window. The suns shines in on what looks like will be a glorious spring day. I take in my last views of the city as we exit and join the highway for what transpires to be a short journey.

When we pull up at the Airport, I enter a very airy, modern building. It seems to encapsulate all that is new and modern about this country. The campaigns and discussions about Turkey's possible entry into the European Union as Europe's first predominantly Muslim state will continue to wage. For me now, I'm left with the thought that Turkey manages to pull off this almost contradictory balance of reaching for a more secular future, whilst holding on to the spiritual beliefs of the past. Visiting this country has reminded me of trips from days gone past. Everytime I enter the Islamic world, I almost immediately get the soft scent of apple shesha pipes hanging in the air. It's happened before. It happened this time. Inshallah, or God willing, it happen again. Smelling that sweet, reminiscent fragrance makes me feel safe and content. It brings about a feeling of being somewhere exotic. It also creates a feeling of being completely alive.