Oct. 8, 2014

Traveling on the road for 3 1/2 months with only 30 pounds of stuff in a backpack does have its limitations.   Like 1 pair of shoes and a pair of sandals.  3 shirts and two pair of pants.

At times you must stay up all night on a flight or when riding the bus -  or you must go for a day or two without taking a hot shower - and you might need a shave.  As I am letting my hair grow to a full ponytail on this trip, the hair on the sides of my head at times goes wild, and it looks like I just left Medusa's Hair Salon.  So I use hair gel and slick everything down so it looks like I just left the shower.

I decided to while away the morning, relax, listen to some music and let the sun rise before heading out.   

I began reflecting on my travels so far.  8 days into my journey, I know that I am unable hide that I am a Westerner.  I have long hair and a ponytail.  I am overweight.  I dress like a Westerner.  I wear sunglasses.  I carry a daypack.  I wear a pair of low cut hiking shoes.

Most Turks- especially the men - would fit into the fabric of the US without a second glance, but then the diversity of the US is one of the things that makes it such a special place to live.  In the US we learn to accept - and are not the least bit surprised -  by seeing daily every imaginable race, nationality,  body shape, clothing style, visible religious preference and the passions that go with along with that diversity.  

I began to feel like the frumpy, overweight, longhaired Westerner traveling with 30 pounds of stuff in a backpack that I am. 

"C'est la vie" I thought.

I walked down the hall and got a cup of hot water and a packet of instant mocha and while walking back to my room I noticed that there was an ironing board and and iron in the hallway.  "That fits" I thought.  Everyone always looks together, smartly dressed and clean.  Put it in the hallway and everyone can use it.  

So I thought "I should iron my frumpy shirt and wrinkled pants."

Then, while out today, I will look like an overweight, long haired Westerner with sunglasses, carryingh a daysack that is wearing a pair of ironed pants and shirt!!