Getting Used to Turkey

This week I have spent a lot of time trying to adapt to what life will be like in Turkey for two months. Most things are different then life back in Eau Claire; a lot of which is a result of being a obvious tourist due to different looks, language, religion, background, and habits. Getting used to people looking at you differently (often with stares) and often times trying to over-charge you for everyday items is tough to do and can get very frustrating.

I've quickly realized that the biggest challenge for this trip is going to be keeping an open-mind. I had one of those frustrating experiences this weekend getting over-charged for a bus ride to the beach. Since I can't speak much Turkish, there isn't much I could do to get my money back (which was only 75 cents, but enough to get my blood flowing in the moment). Immediately I got closed-minded and everything in America seemed to be better then in Turkey in my head. Naturally I wasn't too happy to be on that bus riding through and seeing poorer parts of Turkey to get to the beach. As soon as my mind opened up again to accepting the changes and new sites, sounds, and experiences around me my day was great again.

Having an open-mind to the new culture around me is the difference everyday to whether it was a good day or bad day. I have to make a constant effort every morning, and multiple times a day, to challenge myself to treat each little task as an adventure that may turn out good or bad. As long as I can do this the bad adventures aren't as bad because they are viewed as adventures instead of comparisons to how good my life is in America. Luckily I have awesome roommates that help each other out when the adventures are bad too....So far, I'm doing good with all this except for a few moments, but it will continue to be a challenge.