Friend like a Sister

by Yvette Nzeji (Nigeria)

I didn't expect to find Turkey

I am always on the lookout for trips and opportunities that are unique, aren’t we all? At the start of 2018, I saw an advert online for a fully funded trip to Turkey for an immersive language and cultural trip. The trip was scheduled for the summer and would last a whole month. In my usual nature, I was so stoked, and I got to that application, giving it my best. For me, this was an opportunity to learn a new language; I already spoke few. And to explore the amazing Turkey. In my head; “Oh boy! I can’t wait to explore the country and learn this language. I did not anticipate what I would get from this trip. I arrived Istanbul, caught a connecting flight to Izmir and then meet up with representatives of the organisation for onward travel to the hotel. However my flight was delayed and I had no way of communicating with the officials. On top of that, I had trouble with my luggage and was re routed to a different terminal to sort it out. This involved waiting, impatiently. I worried the officials would leave without me and 1 hour into waiting I saw someone not walking in such a hurry and approached her. Before then everyone either did not speak English or just would not help me. For my sanity, I would stick with non English speaking as the reason. I approached this beautiful tall lady and spoke in the slowest way possible, using hand gestures to explain “Phone, call, help, stranded”. She burst out laughing for such a long time. I stood there confused and border line humiliated. She could tell and spoke for the first time in such pristine Queens English with a hint of French accent. She apologized and said she had always imagined a scene like this and she was really excited. She immediately gave me her phone and when all that was sorted. She also was there to pick up her suitcase that did not come in with her flight the previous day. We hit it off and talked like old friends re connecting the entire time we waited. We had such a great conversation and I gave her my Nigerian number so we could reconnect when I returned to Base. I thought to myself, what a great meeting and it left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling. The final week of our stay in Turkey saw all participants assemble at Istanbul to explore all the historical city has in store. On our tour of the fascinating Hagia Sofia, I heard someone yell “Goodness, Yvette!” I turned around it was Mira, my helper from the airport at Izmir. We hugged like we were sisters separated at birth, that might be a wrong analogy but you get the idea. We chatted about everything, my experiences, she teased and asked if I could say “Please, I am stranded may I borrow your phone” in Turkish, and sure I could. Our friendship took off and we spent the rest of the week exploring together, she introduced me to her friends in the City and I had a down right amazing time. Since I returned to Nigeria, we have both visited each other and met both families. She was at my sister’s wedding and if you met us, you would think we have been friends since we were little children. I went off to Turkey to learn the language and explore the city but I never expected to find such a bond and friendship with an absolute stranger. For a friend like this I would have a million behind schedule flights and delayed luggage. It is not unusual to meet new acquaintances or even forge friendships on trips like these, but a friend like a sister, despite so cultural and religious differences, I am amazed and blessed.