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Spontaneous Excursion: Ocean City
August 14, 2006
Gokhan and I decided that the first few days of our trip would be spent in Ocean City, serving as the vacation portion, during which time we wouldn’t drive or worry about anything. Our itinerary would consist of shopping, tanning, and sleeping until noon.
Right now, we’re staying in a giant yellow and blue house which sits on the main street across from the ocean. The house is being rented by no less than 14 Turkish students who Gokhan met on our last trip here. With hotels running no less than $150 a night here, I was ecstatic when they asked us to stay with them. Although it’s the first time I’ve ever been the complete minority in a situation (they all speak Turkish), I’ve never met more wonderfully amiable people. They gave up two of their beds for us and offer us everything all the time. Initially, I waited for the moment that I would see one of the gorgeous, dark-haired, dark-eyed girls roll their eyes at my all-American presence. They’ve been nothing but completely welcoming. They hardly ever stop smiling.
I asked Gokhan what I could do to thank them. He explained to me that in his country, visitors are an extremely important part of life, and that usually a “smiling face” is the best gift. I’m still somewhat amazed that they opened their home so graciously.
Being surrounded by another language all day, it almost feels as if I’m in another country. I’m momentarily surprised when I leave the house and hear English again. Often, when I’m walking with Gokhan, he’ll turn to me and begin speaking in Turkish and I’ll stare and we’ll both laugh. He’s said, “We’ve become so close that sometimes I forget that we don’t speak the same language.”
Tomorrow morning we leave for Boston.
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