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Two steps forward,
one step back.
We’re moving, aren’t we?
Let’s find out where this path
will take us.
Step by step.
Just never take the bus.
It’s not easy.
But that’s part of it all.
Isn’t it?
Let’s face this adventure.
Let’s make it last.
Are we living the moment?
Forgetting the past? Read more…
On my travels through Colombia earlier this year, the town of Salento located in the Colombian coffee region (Eje Cafetero) and its surroundings were among my favourite discoveries, mainly due to the marvellous nature as well as the tranquil spirit.
Always on the hunt for wise words, I came upon these ones on a blackboard adjusted to a traditional restaurant:
© aNadventures
Nunca te avergüences de emprender algo aunque fracases.
Porque aquel que no ha fracasado nunca, es porque no ha intentado tampoco nada.
Which translates into:
Never be ashamed to tackle something, even if you fail.
Because those who never fail have not tackled anything either.
I like the encouragement resonating in these lines. We learn from trial and error, after all. I agree that it’s preferable to try and fail rather than missing out on the what ifs.
How about YOUR thoughts? When was the last time you tackled something?
You’ll find more wise words here:
- Wise words from Salamanca
- Wise words from a graffiti can
- Wise words from Lisboa
- Wise words from a chocolate lover
- Wise words from a coffee shop
- Wise words from an animated monkey
- Wise words from the street
- Wise words from a kitchen wall
- Wise words from a toilet wall
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Yesterday, as I was strolling through the Berlin neighbourhood of Schöneberg, a second-hand bookshop caught my attention. I rarely buy any books as the minimalist in me prefers borrowing them from the library. Yet, my inner book lover encouraged me to have a closer look. So I approached the shop and rummaged in a few boxes exposed on the pavement. It didn’t take me long to find a book titled “How the García Girls Lost Their Accents” by Julia Alvarez. My heart jumped with excitement. At this point, I should mention that my last name is García, too. I remember having come upon this novel at an earlier point in time but for some reason, I hadn’t read it, yet. As I strongly believe that some things are simply meant to be, I grabbed the book and walked inside the shop to pay for it. Read more…
Photo courtesy of Sözcü Gazetesi.
I did it again. I started watching another Turkish series. This time it’s Kardeş Ҫocukları (Children of Siblings). I’d refrained myself from starting another one for over a year simply because once I start, I can hardly stop. I neglect my friends and duties and stay up late to watch an episode after the next. Yet, I somehow enjoy emerging into these stories and witnessing all sorts of drama. This would be my guilty pleasure, I guess. Watching such series has helped me considerably improve my Turkish language skills, though. I learn new expressions and start thinking in Turkish once again. So that’s a huge reward for all the hours I spend in front of the screen.
As it’s the fifth Turkish series I watch, I’m starting to recognize some patterns by now: Read more…
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It has been seven years today since I moved to Izmir for my 1.5-year adventure abroad. I’ve been back in Berlin for 5.5 years now and not a single day goes by without me remembering my life in Turkey or without me mentioning it in any kind of way. Spending 1.5 years in Turkey helped me build a version of myself that I’m so very proud of, a version of myself that I adore being with, a version of myself that I deeply care about. I guess this means it meant a lot to me and shaped my personality to a huge extent.
I think my growth process started with me noticing the little things that matter. Many of those little things are the ones I miss about Turkey today. Let me share the following examples with you: Read more…
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Many years we were apart.
Colombia, always in my heart.
Your smell of coffee, clouds and soap.
Reminds me there is always hope.
To see your colours one more time.
To be inspired, shine and rhyme.
All sorts of tastes, fresh fruit and juices.
Your kindness, beauty, rhythm seduces.
Mother nature loves you much.
Your mountains, oceans, pastures and such.
Adventures are about to happen.
Let love be your favourite weapon.
It’s you who knew me from the start.
Colombia, always in my heart.
© aNadventures
As my dear friend Trixie and I were queuing outside a Berlin club yesterday, the question whether we would be let in quickly arose. Apparently, you have to look cool enough to be allowed in. But why? And what does cool enough even mean? We were hardly moving forward in the queue and saw quite a few people being rejected. “I should have gone for the black one instead of this one”, my friend stated, pointing out her rosy jacket. Then she added: “We are way too colourful.” I looked down on my light blue jeans and shrugged. Standing in the queue was actually a nice way to get inspired, style-wise. The three guys in front of us were dressed up completely in black, except for one of them who was wearing red socks. Other people were combining tights with sports jackets or cropped tops with loose tops. They were wearing belt or gym bags.
As we were about halfway through the queue, the girl right behind of us jumped into our conversation: Read more…
Photo courtesy of Shazam.
I previously described my experience of making friends with strangers over brunch in my Berlin neighbourhood. Today, I’d like to share another story of bonding with strangers that took place last year in Barcelona and has been on my mind ever since.
After walking the Camino Portugués last year in spring, I decided to spend two days in Barcelona before returning to Germany. My feet desperately needed a massage, so I decided to enter a beauty parlour specialized in pedicures, manicures and foot massages. The one I visited was run by a handful of Chinese ladies. The woman in charge kindly welcomed me and asked me to take a comfy seat. Another friendly lady spread out her tools in front of me and after washing my feet, she started rubbing them in a soothing balm. As she was putting my aching feet muscles back into their pre-camino position, I looked around and observed the other clients. Read more…
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One of the many things I love about the Turkish language is that it’s so full of imagery. It literally feels like you can create drawings while talking.
In previous posts, I’ve described that Turkish is not that hard of a language to learn, that you can express yourself in 3 basic sounds, that you’re clearly at an advantage if you know some French expressions and that it’s important to take your time or the devil will interfere.
Next, I’d like to show you some examples of the strong imagery that can be found in the Turkish language in an everyday conversation, for example when you’re asked how you are and you get to express your current mood. Have a look at the following 6 statements:
- Keyfim yerinde.
This means something like “My mood is at its right place” and you can use it to express that you’re feeling well, happy and that you’re having a good time. You may also say Keyfim, sağlığım yerinde which means that your mood as well as your health are at their right places.
- Canım sıkın.
Whenever you use this expression, whoever you’re talking to will understand that you’re feeling blue, that there’s something bothering you. Its literal translation would be something like “My soul is squeezed / crushed” which states a rather unpleasant feeling.
- Kafam karışık.
If you’re feeling confused, this expression comes in handy. It means “My head is mixed up”. Read more…
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Isn’t it interesting how our language reflects the world around us? At the same time, our culture shapes our language. The two of them are intertwined.
Recently, I’ve been pondering upon the Spanish words razón (reason) and corazón (heart). I find it striking that these two are quite similar, their only visual difference being the prefix “co“.
This has led me to think that the heart may be perceived as a companion to reason, as this prefix generally suggests that two elements come hand in hand, as in co-worker, cooperation and cohabiting.
Interestingly, this strong semantic similarity is not given in English, German, French, Turkish or Italian. Does this mean that heart and reason are perceived as more autonomous from one another in these languages? Read more…
