Farewell Istanbul

Istanbul, city of cities, it’s time to say goodbye. Tomorrow I head for Canada, and it will be some time before we meet again.

You have arrested me in ways that no other city ever has, my eyes with your beauty, my appetite with your treats, my heart with your heart, my spirit with your spirit… and all the rest of me with your over zealous police force. Twice.

When you arrested me the first time I made no complaint, I was being cheeky and you were quick to reassert your boundaries, good for you. In that I found some unexpected lessons, I was grateful. But this second arrest? Things feel different between us now. You begin to enjoy your power too much, and I cannot indulge that part of you.

In Canada I will throw myself into this set of ideas that you, in part, have given me the courage to pursue and I hope that you, Istanbul, can use this time apart to reflect on the harm you inflict with these acts. Not simply the outward effects, but the harm you do yourself.

I leave you now, but know that I will come back to you because, after all we have shared, I cannot help but to love you still. You are beautiful and, even more than that, you are interesting.

Much love,

S