meijia
The Crossroads of the World
In the summer of 2025, I went on a fascinating trip with my family to the crossroads of the world — Türkiye. We visited many amazing historical places, such as the Atatürk Mausoleum and Ankara Castle. But what I remember most are the special moments we had during the trip — flying in a hot air balloon, joining a jeep safari, and trying the "drugs". Every experience showed a different side of Türkiye, and together they made this trip one of the best memories in my life.
Go with the Flow:
My Journey Through Türkiye
The Warm Calm of Turkish Life
To describe Türkiye in one word, it must be “chill.” No matter if it’s the people, the atmosphere, or the scenery, everything feels calm and peaceful. I once talked with a kind merchant and his lovely daughter, and the merchant told me, “We will never know what will happen in the
next second; all we have to do is enjoy the second right now.” His words reminded me of a quote I once saw in a comment: “I don’t know what tomorrow’s script will be — I just know I’m the main character, so I’ll just go with the flow.” That conversation made me think deeply about life. Maybe that’s what I learned most from this trip — to slow down, relax, and enjoy the moment I’m in.
A Hot Air Balloon Morning in the Valley
I will have thousands of early mornings at 4 a.m., but none will ever be as stunning as the one when we took a hot air balloon ride. Getting up at 3 a.m., taking a shuttle bus to the valley, and waiting anxiously for the weather check, I felt both nervous and excited. The waiting seemed endless, but just as we were about to give up, our native tour guide shouted with excitement, “Green flag!” — it was our signal to fly. At that moment, luck was on our side. As the balloon lifted off, I saw the most amazing sunrise I’ve ever witnessed. The golden light slowly spread across the valleys, and I felt a calm and magical feeling that I will never forget.
Warm People, Sweet Treats, and Sleepy Furry Friends
The jeep safari was amazing — I laughed nonstop the whole trip. The driver’s passion for his job really showed, and I’m so grateful for the experience he gave us. Even though we didn’t speak the same language, he took the time to listen through translation. I asked him if the jeep safari would still go on if it rained, and he answered yes. I hope the weather in Türkiye stays sunny, so he can keep driving joyfully, singing the song that he always sings.
I saw so many beautiful fabrics, and honestly, everything here was just stunning. There were so many cats too — it really felt like being in the land of cats. They were all friendly and really cute! Even I, a totally dog person, couldn’t help but melt at their cuteness. There were also plenty of dogs, all huge, and almost all of them were peacefully napping. You really are a sleepy bunch, little pups!
I tried so many ice creams, and Turkish ice cream is truly — creamy, rich, and full of flavor. Pistachio was my favorite, and there were also so many unique combinations, like chocolate with
pistachio, that were absolutely delicious. I even tried snacks made with opium poppy seeds, which are perfectly legal and common in Türkiye but considered drugs in Taiwan. The yogurt and potato
chips with poppy seeds had a nutty taste and an unexpectedly pleasant texture.
Turkish food, not exaggerating, left a huge impression on me — juicy kebabs, savory shawarma, fresh flatbreads, and a variety of mezes. The most memorable meal for me was at a meatball restaurant tucked inside an underground cave. I loved the dark and cozy atmosphere — the special experience made the food taste even better.
