Turkish Treatment for Homesickness

There are a couple things in life I like to think I am above. One of which being jet lag. Another of which would be cheap American beer from cans. Beer from cans in general, actually.


And lastly...Homesickness.


Every other conversation I have had with my landlady up until last week included the question "Hast du kein Heimweh?" (Are you not homesick?) And everytime I responded by telling her I don't really get homesick.


...up until last week


I know the stages of homesickness. I know about when it hits and that it manifests itself in different ways. I also knew if I were to get homesick it would fall on the fourth week of November. Isn't that ironic?


My homesickness wasn't missing home and wishing I were there and wanting out of this place. It was more of a week and a half long depression of no appetite, lots of sleep, crankiness for no reason, and one day and night consisting of something very strange which could be described as being in the same family of vertigo. I hate myself for sounding so dramatic right now. Unfortunately, I couldn't avoid it. I kept getting irritated or annoyed at every culture difference that normally I relish. Thankfully, I predicted it and could at least recognize this weird feeling fairly rationally. I knew in my head that I am happy here. I am living in Europe doing what I love. 


When I said that I had predicted this, I meant it. I knew if dirty homesickness was ever gunna get me, it would be the week of Thanksgiving. 


So one day when I was being a particular grumpfest, Mackenzie asked if I would go with her to the store. I didn't need anything and was just going because it was better than sitting around being Oscar the Grouch in my sweatpants all evening. 


She then said, "You know, I think there is a Turkish store over here." Again, I wasn't exactly in an exploring mood but went anyways.


My findings: If you are homesick in one culture... go to the market of another!


We had so much fun poking around the store and buying stuff that we weren't sure what exactly it was or what it would taste like. The music was awesome and things were pretty cheap, too!


I should add that the title of this post is not homesickness "cure"...just "treatment". But it did provide a quick relief from my irritation of not being in a familiar place at holiday time.


So what did we get???


All of this...

We make Turkish coffee 'round these parts nowadays.

And tea! Look at that whirling dervish on the front there. Not gunna lie, main reason I bought this brand.

The tea cups are new. The tea submarine is not...but it's still super cool!

The one in the middle tastes just like Sprite.

Little sesame cookies that I really like because they aren't actually very sweet.

I haven't tried these yet but they are cookies with strawberry jelly and what seems to be sprinkles. Can't be horrible.

And of course some Turkish Delight.

p.s. I promise I will tell you the story about the older couple from my Italy trip in an upcoming post. 

No worries!