Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ering that beneath the politics of more powerful men, we all share the same simple dream:
to be happy.
But as Menekse lowered her voice to speak about Iran, as though to even discuss it was
dangerous, I wondered if I was being foolish to think I could brazenly ride through the
same country on a bright yellow motorbike. But then again, people had warned me about
Pittsburgh; they had said to stay out of Kosovo; they had even advised me against Turkey,
and I had been blessed by all those experiences.
“How warm is warm?” I asked.
“It's hot,” Menekse finally admitted. “It's hot about the war.”
As Meneske continued, I could feel my own internal danger meter rising. Though I
wasn't sure which war she was referring to, it could have been the troubles in Iraq or the
ongoing fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan. She could have been referring to the civil
war in Syria or the general unrest of every country I planned on visiting.
“Maybe you change your route?” Menekse asked.
Change my route? I was planning to leave for my route in the morning. I hoped that
when Menekse's husband arrived, he might have a more congenial view.
“I think it's not a good idea,” Talat offered.
“Not a good idea?” I asked again, hoping for a different response.
“Not a good idea.”
Together, Talat, Menekse, and I walked to their home, where I watched the news for the
first time in months and saw what all the fuss was really about. Things were getting worse
in Syria and throughout the Middle East—no one knew where the violence might strike
next. War wasn't just coming. War was
here
. Kindness One doesn't do very well in war. I
don't do well in war. The truth is, no one does well in war.
Talat asked me if there was anyone who might be able to get me a plane ticket. That
would be great, I explained, but I wasn't sure how I was going to get Kindness One into
economy. First class, maybe.
Then I remembered that Mehmet had told me that if I ever needed any help I should
call him. Could this be a moment to reach out my hand and ask for assistance? I knew that
if anyone would understand my predicament it would be Mehmet and Nasuh. I also knew
that if anyone could help me circumnavigate an entire region of the world, it would be my
new Turkish family.
I called Mehmet to see if he could help.
