Vaella Laella

So in the beginning of December we entered to Turkey, the border was silent and surprisingly piece of cake… Sometimes I wonder if the custom guys just get confused because of seeing this colourful crazy bus and they forget their duties… But I dont mind. However, the vibes of Turkey were warm and wellcoming. We had the mission to travel to Istanbul firstly because of good experience (both told and some of us self experienced) from there and secondly we knew there is some post waiting for us in poste restante (like the lost teepee door and some salmiakki — the salty black candy the most not-finnish-people dislike… haaa!)

On the way to Istanbul we found nice camp on cliffs next to Marmara Sea. Well, some would say it was crazy idea in first place to make the camp with Bus into this forest, but such a good place to chill out before Big City. But Oh Yes, it was hardcore to drive out from that camp and as a result the Bus hit the tree (back glass broken) and the bottom (hole in the back door). This was actually the biggest damage so far. So what to do but start fixing in the middle of road… I guess in one hour we were on the road again having same bright red tape in back window and almost as brightly shining red clue in the back door.I must admit I thought the result would be worse. So, now there is red sun-shaped thing decorating the back window. Actually you could think it is part of the basic decoration of this Bus.

We took slowly driving into Istanbul … knowing it is a city of 15 million people we decided to arrive here early on Sunday morning. And it turned out to be the best possible timing also because the ten days religious holiday had just begun and lot of people had traveled out the city. It was amazing to drive straight in front of the world famous mosques on Sultan Ahmet area. With help of the local people we found really cool parking place in Taksim with a view over the Bosporus river and we are allowed to keep our camp there. Such a blessing to find a safe camp for the bus home though we of course got to pay some liras each day of staying there.

And what a Great City this is!!! 15 million people, but so easy-going. And some magnetical ways in one week we have found whole network of lovely people. It has been so much fun to invite people for dinner in our Bus as well as go out for crazy dancing or late breakfasts in traditional Turkish style… And how about learning (trying to learn) to play traditional Sufi flute “Nei”… Gabriel got so fascinated of it he got to buy one… It is said it can take one week to get the sound out of it and even after 15 years you are called “beginner”…

Buying the Nei for Gabriel with the support of Brother Omar and Sister Selva:)

Istanbul certainly is a powerful place. In our journey it seems to be an important turning point… Andris had his flight back to Latvia and Sanna shall stay some time more in this city of good vibes, Suvi took her own paths exploring here too. So, me (Freia) and Gabriel are the ones who jumped into the Bus and took the direction South Turkey for some months with the idea putting up teepee somewhere around Fetiye area (sisters, brothers, find us there in January!!!!) We got two more months time to spent in Turkey. After that it seems we might be taking the road towards east through Georgia, Azerbaidzan, Turkmenistan… Lets see… Anyway a lot of encouragement has been given from different directions of choosing this special route instead of going to Iran.

Posts from the home arrived!

We are amazed by all the macigal “coincidences” on the way: meeting the Right people on the right time and ending up to some magic places. It is sad to leave Istanbul and turn the new blanco page… But wow, what a strong power there is… OssiBussi seems to be always surrounded by some love and magic - we never fall out of it and that is amazing.