My Second and Last Month in Turkey

 As I write this, I'm in my second and final month in Turkey, with just one week left. I can’t help but feel emotional about leaving this beautiful country and the wonderful team I’ve come to consider family. We may bicker like kids at times, but after work, everything is amazing.

Let me share a bit about my daily routine. Sundays and Mondays are my days off, which I spend exploring Ankara with friends and learning new things. On Tuesdays, we have Turkish language lessons and work in the office, brainstorming ideas for videos that we later film for Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Wednesdays are dedicated to visiting a youth center, where we play with children and spend time with my group. If I have some free time, I practice piano or guitar. Thursdays are for finishing up work from Tuesday, and Fridays are my favorite because we assist at the Lösev hospital. Saturdays are spent at the office for a speaking club, where people come to learn English and enjoy each other's company. We also hold cultural evenings where we present our home countries. I represented Lithuania, sharing information about my country and cooking national dishes. We ended the evening with a fun game of Kahoot!

In the evenings, we often go out to restaurants, cafes, or the cinema, chatting about our countries, economies, and cities. Afterward, I return to my dorm, which has a small gym, and spend my time reading, using my computer, or working out. My dorm is located in Balgat, a nice area filled with numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops. One of the best things about Turkey is that it’s more affordable than Lithuania. Clothes and food are cheaper here; for example, you can buy a nice outfit for just 70 euros. Ankara, in particular, is less expensive than Istanbul.

This month, I had the chance to visit several cities. My first stop was Ilgaz, a mountainous area in northern Turkey. It was my first time ice skating, and while I was initially afraid, I discovered that I have a knack for it! I quickly learned how to stop and even felt like a pro by the end of my time there. The food was delicious, and we spent two wonderful days there.

Next, I visited Cappadocia, known for its stunning rock formations and hot air balloon rides. I learned that people used to live in the caves carved into these rocks. I even climbed one of the rocks, which felt surreal. The hot air balloons at dawn were breathtaking—we woke up at 6 a.m. to see them. During my time here, I’ve picked up some Turkish phrases, which helps me order food and ask questions. Learning Turkish is challenging, but I’m committed to it.

Currently, Ramadan is underway, and I’ve observed that locals can only eat between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. each day, which feels quite unusual to me. I’ve also faced some challenges navigating Ankara since my phone broke, making it tough to find my way around this vast city.

One of my favorite dining spots in Turkey is Aspava, where ordering a meal often comes with complimentary food. My friends and I were pleasantly surprised on our first visit!

The highlight of my volunteering experience has been visiting youth centers and helping at the Lösev hospital. We prepare boxes of food for families in need, especially for children battling leukemia. It’s incredibly fulfilling work, and I truly cherish these moments.

I’m so grateful for my time in Turkey; it has changed my life in many ways. I’ve learned so much, and if you ever have the chance to come here, I highly recommend it! I plan to return as a volunteer for ten months next time.

Thank you for reading, and goodbye for now!