The Adventure Takes Another Step Forward

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

It's funny, when I set out on this trip nearly a year ago, there was a lot I didn't know. I didn't know where I was going. I didn't know when I was coming back. I didn't know where I would find money when it started to run out (I still don't have most of these answers!). But as cliche as it sounds, I did know one thing. I knew that no matter what happened, it would be a life changing experience. But there was something else I didn't know. I didn't know just how life changing it would be.

As you all know I met a girl by the name of Sadife (Sedef) when traveling through Turkey. I met her in September and ended up staying in Turkey for more than five months. I was finally forced to leave because my bank account had hit zero about five months prior when I met her. I lived off of people's charity, staying at different houses around Izmir, first with Peri for two months, who I owe greatly for giving me the opportunity to stay and eventually fall in love. Later I stayed with Öznur for a month, then with Fatma for a week, Gül for more than a month, Gamze in Istanbul and finally Ümit. I never paid a dime for room and board and I owe all of these people greatly for their kindness. Most of them don't speak English and will never see my thanks in writing, but there it is. They changed me life. As did Sedef.

I went back to see her during my break in April and although I'm a little late delivering this news on my blog (I wanted to make sure all the family heard from me directly first), I will be getting married to her this August or September. It's a quick marriage 'cause we didn't want to make a huge deal out of it. Why wait a year when you already know the outcome? Instead we decided a small ceremony, a quick wedding and thus I begin my life anew, for the second time in less than a year.

It's funny, you really never know how things will pan out when you just let life happen. But so far everything has been so much more than I ever imagined it could be.

Anyway, I'll stop my ramble here. I took some pics of the area here lately and I will post some on the blog soon. In the mean time, here's a couple pics of my new fiance and I. I'm sure you'll all meet her eventually!

Sedef in April in Akyaka

Sedef and I at Christmas

Back in Istanbul again!.... again!

Istanbul, Turkey

Well, I am taking a much dserved break from Saudi Arabia (afterall I've been working four day, 20 hour work weeks!!!! phew...) and this morning have touched down in Istanbul. Tomorrow, I'm off to Izmir and later the beach! Gonna spend some quality time with Sedef and relax in what has become my european home.

It's funny, starting this trip, and even spending time in Turkey a couple months ago, I never thought I would find a second home on this trip. And I don't think I even realized Turkey had become that until I came back here this morning. But I stepped off the plane, and sitting in the ridiculous 2 hour cutoms queue I realized that the stupid lineups, the strange language (although it is admittedly becoming less so), and the bi-polar population that can be incredibly friendly one minute and jaw-shakingly rude the next really had become a home.

I also got a piece of good news in the shape of a followup email from a good international school here in Izmir that is considering me for their fall semester. So maybe I won't be spending a year in teh desert afterall! It would be nice to be in a better climate and a more relaxing enviornment, that's for sure! Will keep you all updated. If I make enough from Saudi maybe I can just skip on to more travelling. I plan to make lots of plans this week so stay tuned.

Oh, and in regard to the student strike... I guess they couldn't get enough solidarity together to pull it off. No surprise there. So sadly, they had a late paycheck that month. It's a tragedy the world may never recover from.

Dr. Will and Students on Strike

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Well, as all you hospital peeps still reading this blog will appreciate, I am once again known as "Doctor Will." That's right, for my second consecutive job, my name is Dr. Will. I'm thinking of asking U of C for an honorary doctorate!

For those that don't know, the Dr. Will trend started when I was at Foothills talking to patients. I guess I come across so authoritatively on the phone that people just assumed I was a doctor and often called me as much. But since I never used my last name, I became Dr. Phil's slightly more handsome counterpart (although I possibly have better credentials than THAT hack....) Anyway, apparently the name has stuck. The students over here call all the teachers Doctors, so after a brief hiatus while travelling, I'm back to my under-qualified, over-inflated roots!


In other comic news, the students (who as you may recall get paid 1000 riyals a month for attending university) are expecting a late paycheck this month. As such, there is much talk at the school of a student strike starting tomorrow. How 'bout that! The students are sad they're not getting paid for school so they've decided to make their tragic cause known! I know they can count on all of your support! There's also a rumor on the grapevine that they're having some unexpected problems getting solidarity. Seems the slackers are much more keen to strike than the really good students. Go figure.

I will let you all know how it goes down.