Hoscakal Istanbul

Hoscakal means goodbye in Turkish. It is said by the person leaving. I know it’s a bit late in the game, but I just got comfortable saying this/was able to remember the word at the appropriate moment. Usually, I’d just smile, wave and say “tesekkur” (thank you). And now we are leaving. I am feeling many things as the kids and I embark on this long journey. I am very excited to return to the U.S., to see family and to catch up with friends and meet many new babies. I’m sad to be leaving Matt (he will leave Istanbul August 2 and spend a few days in London with his brother, Nate, before he arrives in Boston on August 6) and missing Istanbul already.

My Istanbul experience was one I will never forget. This city gets under your skin and I’m not sure if you become part of it or it becomes part of you. I think I’ve felt every emotion here at one time or another. It was like a lifetime in only eight weeks. Luckily, the fun and enjoyment definitely peaked at the end. In many ways, I feel like we are just hitting our stride, but then again, home is so close that I can feel it.

The last six months have been a treasure for our family. We will always remember this experience fondly. When Matt and I finished our last six-month journey, we wondered if we’d ever be able to do it again. No one needs me to list all that has changed in six short years, but one thing that hasn’t is our shared love of travel. Let’s see where we are in six more years.

Hoscakal, Istanbul and tesekkur.