Antioch, Home, and Off Again

Returning from a five day program retreat last Sunday night, I felt the same rush of "home sweet home" that I feel when returning to my home in America as we pull in the driveway. This time, however, I was squeezing myself and my luggage into the tiny elevator in my apartment building and riding up nine floors to a family I only met two and a half months ago, but which has now become my family.

I had just returned from the three-month NSLI retreat. The camp was really an unforgettable experience, some parts in good ways and some in not-so-good ways. We spent the first few days in a small, desolate, and rather dirty town an hour or so away from Adana, where we spent long hours discussing our problems, issues, changes, shocks, joys, frustrations, and pretty much anything else you can think of relating to our experiences here in Turkey. The three counselors, who came in from other parts of Turkey, were very helpful and knowledgeable about our experiences, and it was great to be able to talk with them. The third day of camp, I got pretty sick with a terrible cough and fever, so I had to spend that day in the room, but the next day I felt better and we traveled by bus as a group to Antakya, an absolutely wonderful place.

Antakya, probably better known as the ancient city of Antioch, is a fascinating city with a long and rich history. It is located in the tiny strip of land right on the westernmost Turkish border with Syria. It has a blend of religious history that I found especially interesting. Nowhere else in Turkey have I seen such an attempt to promote cross-religious awareness and acceptance. We visited three different churches - one Orthodox, one Catholic, and one Protestant, as well as several mosques. All over the town, which was full of small, winding roads, old and beautiful crumbling buildings, and large markets, we saw posters with the Star of David, a cross, and a crescent moon representing Islam interlinked. The whole town seemed in a state of such peaceful co-existence between religions that I have not observed in Turkey before. It's not that I have seen any ill-will here, it is just that Islam seems to be the only religion I observe in most places. Antakya was the exception, though. In the Orthodox church we visited, services are conducted in both Turkish and Arabic. The Protestant church was founded by Koreans and has signs in Korean. One of the most beautiful views I saw was from the roof of the Catholic church where a giant stone cross stood right beside a towering minaret on the mosque adjacent.

I enjoyed my brief overnight stay in Antakya greatly, getting a marvelous walking exploration of the city. I hope to return sometime, as it is only two hours' drive from Adana. Once I figure out the train system later on in the year, I hope to be able to explore even more. There is so much to see in this country! I know I have said that many times, but I am reminded of it all the time. Tomorrow morning my NSLI group is heading to Cappadocia (this will be my second time) to visit some sights up there and stay overnight. I can't wait to see it again - I'm not sure I could ever be tired of that place.

This week the whole NSLI group and I didn't go to school again, because our program leader here in Adana was afraid we were all sick. Because of this sickness, my respiratory cold, I was carted off to the hospital, where I was hooked up to an IV and pumped chock-full of vitamins, fluids, and who-knows-what. Subequently, I was subscribed some pills and a syrup, which my host family has made me take religiously. At any rate, I am feeling better now and am excited for my trip tomorrow. And I've just heard that the whole city of Adana will have school off next week because of swine flu or something? I'm not really sure...but we shall see! Everyday living here is an adventure - I'm never sure what will happen next, but I've grown to love that.