What a night in Turkey! Just a few days ago there was an attack at the airport, with ISIS claiming responsibility. Us Americans would be watching from the safety of our homes, news on our TVs, sitting with our loved ones. Not just Americans, but from all over the world, watching, praying, and scared for the people, for their loved ones. Imagine the people in Turkey, dealing with the sudden military takeover. Imagine the people from other countries visiting Turkey to catch the experience of the beautiful country, now shivering in fear not only for themselves but for the others there.
I know I felt the exact same way as I sat in my hotel room with my family, staying up late and watching the news until I could find some sort of confidence that everything would be alright. I was not just scared about my family and myself who had just come to Turkey to visit from our home in the United States of America. My fear also emanated to the people of Turkey, the ones who had gone out in the streets to protect the ones they loved.
It surprised me how in an instant, all it took was for the Prime Minister to call out to the people to crowd the streets and stop the military, and there they went. Not just ten people, not fifty, but almost the whole city had gone out to support their leader, their country. The patriotism that emerges from every single citizen is uncanny. Nowhere else in the world have I seen the love and dedication the people in this country has for their country.
The night of the attempted military coup, my family and I had just gotten back from visiting the Bosphorus bridge area during the daytime and were having dinner at a local restaurant. Everything was normal, the staff were calling in people walking on the streets to come have some delicious food. The cooks were sizzling up the meat as they arranged the food on the plates that had waiting customers sitting in tables, watching the night life buzz outside. Even after our meal that had stuffed us up, we stopped by small shops where we proceeded to purchase some spices, perfume oils, Turkish Delights, raw honey, and baklavas. My sister and I relished in the small streets of Sirkeci once more before we had to leave the welcoming and homely city the next day. The news had reached us only when my father and I had gone down to the lobby to arrange for our transportation the next day to the airport. I could feel my heart stop as the unfamiliar words circled around my mind. My father rushed me to the hotel room to inform the rest our family as well as turn on the news. Panic set in, our minds not knowing what to think or do other than pray that everything would be alright.
Explosions and gunshots could be heard from outside our window. Even though they sounded far, it was the epitome of an nightmare as I huddled in the safety of our hotel with my family. Neither of us knowing what will happen next.
As we heard each news channel around the world speak their opinions on how this will impact relations with countries, I could only think of what would happen to the people here. In the few days I spent here, this country has welcomed me like I was their own. Every person I met has become my very own friend, my family. The Americans I had met here that were visiting like us had been in my prayers as well the people in this country who now stood outside protesting against the heavily armed military. How much bravery did these people have? They fought against their own military for the sake of their country. I can tell you, I have never seen or heard such a thing in my life. Their love and devotion had me awestruck since the very minute I stepped foot in this country. Soon even I felt the raw patriotism that each person had, not only to save this country but for love of mankind.
Attacks happen everywhere in the world. Hatred exists, believe it or not. But humans are still humans. We are not perfect. One thing this incident has definitely taught me is to never give up. No matter how hard the situation is, don't give up. Fight for what you love. Fight for humans. Fight for yourself. And most importantly love as much as you can because that love will help you in all that you do. Love can accomplish more than hate ever can.
