In the midst of a political crisis in my home country, instead of going back to chaos, we found ourselves in a safe haven. In July 15th, we flew from Istanbul to Bodrum, a southern touristic town in Turkey to learn a specific ceramic glazing technique. Yet, the night we were there the whole country went into a crisis which we still cannot understand or analyze. The ceramic workshop was no longer available. We were facing the two options: going back to Istanbul or going further south.
After two hours on the road during a Monday afternoon we arrived to Akyaka, a small town known for its kite-surfing location and green plains. We decided to learn kite-surfing since it was a long-time plan to do. We arranged the lessons, ate lunch and we were set to go.
A year ago, I was in the same location without knowing, in a different mindset with different plans. While we were driving through the old Marmaris Road, filled with Eucalyptus trees on both sides, it felt as a time travel into a 70s Turkish film. The road is still the most peaceful place for me.
Each morning, on our shuttle to the kitesurfing, we drove through through that road. Every moment was a bliss. One morning a chubby dog with stick legs jumps into the shuttle. The next day, the event of the whole town is the birthday party of a 10 year old kid. Everyone says good morning, everyone asks you about your day, ambitions, dreams. I was in a parallel universe.
I eventually learned how to stand up and go down-wind after being dragged behind a fourteen square meter kite for few days. I still need to practice a lot. Other than kitesurfing, I learned other things about life in Akyaka, I found hope again for friendship and kindness with beautiful people who live lives from a fairytale. Its a place where you can eat fruits from its branches, become friends with anyone and no one has prejudice. I do not want to tell all the small details because it is nice to keep some of the happy moments to myself but I want to share some of the photos I have taken to show that peaceful places still exist and these places are not too far. Akyaka has changed me and I now see things differently.
Short stories 