Thank you Turkey for letting me Grow

It has been over a week since we have arrived to the small city of Safranbolu and I must say it hasn't been the most easiest of things for myself or the other teachers to adjust to the culture. Suprisingly it isn't Turkey as a country that is conservative, in fact I was shocked how European this country is. I don't want to sound ignorant but I was ignorant to what Turkey was like.

I didn´t come to Turkey as a tourist nor to party,

but as a school teacher for a prestigious school in a small city 200km away from Istanbul in (6 hours away by bus).
The school is an amazing school with facilities better than I have seen in  London, Spain and Italy.
Every single classroom has its own interactive board, internet is all over the school, a great canteen with homemade food, a basketball court indoor and outdoor. To be honest it is a school I would send my children.

The school is very conservative and this was my culture shock, maybe because I wasn't prepared. The school is muslim and the children obiously pray and read the Kuran in the mornings and I have no problem and I respect their religion. We don't have to wear head scarves but we do have to go covered up. This was something I was informed about, but what  I wasn't informed about was the fact I wasn't allowed to drink alcohol or smoke outside of the school in our free time. I don't smoke, so this is not a problem but I do like to have a beer with my friends, especially after a long hard week at work.

Unfortunately we were told off by the school, as drinking is not allowed at all. If you are a teacher at this school you have to follow their strict rules, no drinking, no smoking, socialising with other members lower or higher than you, and always asking permission to go out, or atleast telling people where we are going.

I am almost 30 years old and have travelled to many places and each place I have been to has made me stronger and made me learn from my experiences. At first I was very angry with the school, I was offended that I couldn't do what I wanted but then I took time out and meditated.
Why am I angry at this culture? I am a guest working here and need to respect their culture. I can drink beer or wine whenever I like, and having a detox is really good now and again.

This was a wake up call for me and it was also a lesson. I realized how lucky I am coming where I come from, this is not being against any religion but I have learnt to be an independent woman and here it seems you can't be that way. I have always been able to do what I like with caution and seeing how some locals aren't allowed to do the things I have been able to do makes me feel I have always taken my freedom forgranted.

After that I also learnt that I am the one that needs to adapt not the locals. Since this wake up call I have actually started to enjoy my stay in Turkey a lot more. I'm refraining from alcohol which means my liver is having a break. My beer belly is finally going down, although I am not getting a Baclava belly (turkish dessert), but atleast it's healthy.
Instead of drinking beer i'm enjoying the turkish tea. Instead of clubbing, i'm visiting beautiful sites, meeting some amazing people and having time to myself and having a very clear mind.

The people of Turkey are the most hospitable people I have ever met in the World. I have nevere felt so well looked after and welcome by anyone, not even family. I have been showered with gifts and been taken to places I would never have been able to see if I hadn't integrated with the people.
I don't like being a typical tourist and seeing the main sites, I want to be part of it and after almost 2 weeks in Turkey I can say I have adapted quite well to the culture and the city life.
I even chanced a haircut which I am extremely happy about.

Thanks to my open mind and the adventurer in me I can see I have grown as a person and feel I have learnt so much in such little time.
People who live in their bubbles do really need to experience something like this.

Thank you  Turkey!!!