11/06/2023
Gaziantep.
Still my favorite city in the world. I've been to many places but this one held the most charm for me. Fell in love as soon as I took my first run through the town (best way to explore a new place. And get completely lost while at it - you'll see even more unexpected corners).
Gaziantep also has some of my best memories and some of my most harrowing experiences. From hanging out with really wonderful locals who were genuinely kind as well as curious about my own country, to the best food you've ever eaten anywhere - and I'm not exaggerating - to getting a really bad portrait of me painted by a lovely old man who'd never seen a black person before.
To, while most saw it on TV, looking out of my hotel window every night and seeing missiles light up the sky as nations fought a proxy war that affected millions of innocent lives. And a personal favorite fireplace story - the midnight search of all my belongings in the middle of a highway because police suspected I was there as an Is*s bride because what is a black Zambian girl doing all the way out here ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
Ah, to say I have lived is an understatement!
One day I'll tell you about being driven everywhere in a bullet proof van like I'm a don or something (before you get ideas, please note that I always visited as a small NGO techie working to help out with the Syrian victims and refugees, I just happened to work with the most badass small NGO and team!).
My eldest sister's only complaint is I'm forever making her pull out an Atlas to figure out where I am so in case you're wondering, Gaziantep is a beautiful city in Turkey, right on the border with Syria. It was badly affected by the earthquakes earlier this year but I'm sure it's maintained a lot of its appeal. Do let me know if you ever decide to visit. I just might tag along!