If anyone told me a year ago I would be on a thrilling 2-week adventure to Türkiye, I would likely gasp for air…
Manifestation is powerful when we believe we’re deserving of receiving abundance. When my sacred sister Sumaya Hoosain extended an invitation for me to join her, I responded with a resounding yes! Now at this moment, I could have said I’m not by the means. I am a single provider recovering from substantial debts post-divorce, which could easily sway my decision, but nothing could persuade me to refuse.
It’s amazing when we don’t operate from scarcity & lack, our relationship towards money changes! Choosing ourselves becomes essential, as a matter of self-worth & self-respect. As mothers our main focus is our families, we become secondary to everything or everyone else. Add in being a single parent, choosing oneself can feel like having an existential crisis!
Upon reflection, a revelation came to me. The people we surround ourselves with can enable & contribute to our lives, or hinder us from cultivating meaningful & memorable life experiences.
Sumaya & I met a short 2y ago, yet she’s played a pivotal role in reminding me to choose & honour myself. Something I’ve struggled with as a recovering people pleaser, hero & rescuer. This is what true sisterhood represents when your sacred sister calls you towards a more fulfilling life.
It’s vital to keep people at arms length, no rather disassociate from anyone holding us back from living extraordinary lives. What’s worse, those who make you feel guilty being worthy of abundance.
Now back to our exciting Eat, Pray, Love adventure….
Our itinerary was jam-packed with several fun & spiritually enlightened activities. Sumaya was excellent at planning every meticulous detail from the different cities to the various tours, even our chosen modes of transportation. It was surreal that everything we spoke about less than 6m prior manifested. Three determined women with a dream courageously committed to bringing it to life!
Sumaya’s daughter Khadija Hoosain was our resident photographer to capture memories & the special essence of each location. This was not an easy task I must add, but she was phenomenal nonetheless!
Istanbul’s old city had a vibrancy & charm, which could easily make one feel intoxicated under its spell. The place had an infectious energy with a diversity of people & culture evident. We arrived on the very day Türkiye was celebrating 100 years as a free country. We got to experience resilience & pride with the sheer volume of people out & about roaring with excitement. The newer Asian side was like being in an outdoor shopping mecca, a different kind of heaven!
Too many highlights to detail, but a must-see is the Blue Mosque, Sofia Hague, and Topkapi Museum Palace. A dinner cruise on the Bosphorus will immerse you into the Turkish love for dance & music. Indulged in a photoshoot of the Ottoman Empire period which was delightful! We visited the famous Grand Bazaar, but we were not swayed by shop owners luring tourists with disproportionately higher prices.
We were in awe during our day visit to the ancient parts of Bursa & Cappadocia. The mountains, snow resort with a cable car, & many traditional shops were a treat, especially the yummy Turkish delights & special flavoured teas. The lush tranquil green valley in Cappadocia with its quaint restaurants along the riverside, was a sight to behold. Even more mesmerising were the underground cities, fairy chimney homes & other sacred sites. Let’s not forget the hot air balloons….
Konya, known for 2 million visitors as the Sufi mystic Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, usually referred to as Rumi in the West, spent most of his adult life. A conservative & safe city, with the harmonious call to prayer heard from the most beautiful architecturally designed mosques.
This was a deeply sacred experience for Sumaya as she’s been an avid follower of Rumi & Shams e Tabrizi.
Other than Rumi’s inspiring output of poetry, his major contribution lies in Islamic philosophy and Tasawwuf (Sufism). Other highlights were the Rumi Museum holding many ancient relics & more saliently Rumi’s mausoleum. The Whirling Dervish show was a spectacular display and must-see! The synchronicity between young and old was cheerful to watch.
The final leg of our trip was Antalya, a serene & tranquil coastal city yet oozing with both old charm & big-city energy. We were blessed to visit during their culture week honouring citizens & the country’s milestones achieved. We attended a concert with one of their famous local Turkish artists, what a great turnout! From young to old people were singing & dancing along to the music.
A must-do is a day tour to Pamukkale, referred to as a White cotton castle! A paradise on earth with a stunning landscape of travertine terraces, and breathtaking natural mineral pools formed by calcite-laden waters from hot springs. Visit the ancient ruins of Hierapolis & frolic in the Cleopatra mineral pools. This sun-kissed city needs at least 2-3 weeks to explore the rest of the coastal regions with its natural beauty, lakes, culture & cuisines along the coast.
It’s virtually impossible to articulate every aspect of our sacred experiences, but one thing is for sure we’re in love with Türkiye. This can never be a once-off visit, as there’s much more to discover.
Now to start planning the next trip and magnificent sights to visit, until next time Türkiye with love from South Africa
