Dreams come true! My life in Turkey: The Happiest Thing in My Life 😊

Hello everyone! My name is Dominykas, and I'm 19 years old from Lithuania. I’m currently volunteering in Turkey for two months. My hobbies include music—I enjoy playing the guitar and learning the piano. I also love reading books, and sports are a big part of my life, including going to the gym and horse riding. It’s great to meet you all!

My journey began on January 17th, when I traveled from Vilnius to Warsaw and then from Warsaw to Ankara. I was thrilled to be flying for the first time! As I looked out of the plane, I was amazed by the view of the city.

We arrived in the heart of Ankara, Kızılay, which was bustling with life. It took just 15 minutes by bus from my dorm to Kızılay, and the office where I worked was nearby. On my second day in Turkey, we explored Ankara and visited the castle, which offered a breathtaking view from the top. The people were incredibly friendly.

 

One of the most unforgettable experiences I had this month was visiting a mosque. An imam approached us, and we ended up having a conversation about religion. He kindly offered to give us books as gifts. We then went to the minaret, where we were surprised to find a lift that took us to the top. Initially, we thought we were heading to a library, but when the lift doors opened, we were astonished to find ourselves on the minaret balcony, overlooking the entire city in the evening. It was chilly, but the view was so mesmerizing that we hardly noticed the cold.

As we were leaving, we accidentally broke the lift, which meant we had to walk back down the stairs. Regardless, it was the most incredible moment of the month!

If I had to share the second incredible thing, it would be Hatay city. What makes it so special to me? Hatay boasts stunning mountains and a beautiful sea, and it was my first time swimming in the ocean. You might wonder why I was in Hatay; our team was sent there to collect oranges. Just a year ago, Hatay experienced a devastating earthquake.

For me, the hardest part has been communicating with the locals since not many speak English. However, we have Turkish language lessons once a week, and each day it becomes easier to connect with the people here. While I find Turkish challenging, I believe that anything is possible to learn if you’re determined. I know enough to introduce myself and order coffee at a café.

Turkey has a different religious landscape than Lithuania. While Lithuania is predominantly Christian, Turkey is mostly Muslim. I find it interesting that the mosque calls people to pray five times a day, and you can hear the imam’s call throughout the day. The Turkish people are very religious, and I’ve learned so much from them. Meeting new people from various countries and discovering this wonderful land, its history, and language has been truly enriching.

 This is my life in Turkey now, and I’m really happy to be here. Turkey is such a unique country that everyone should visit. I have to say goodbye for now, as I need to pack for my trip to Istanbul. Bye for now!

 

P.S. I love baklava! Best wishes, Dominykas!