Erik TP9

Since I had never been to First Friday, I felt like it may be more of an experience for me than for Ozan, but he appeared to enjoy it just as I did. First, we stopped by a glass blowing studio that my friend owns, where he makes everything from jewelry, to decorations and pipes. He torched a few figurines he was working on, and even let Ozan keep a wand he made.

Although many of the people at the festival were friendly, there were times that people noticed Ozan’s accent and skin color, peering at him a little suspiciously. I don’t know if he noticed this, but it eventually got to me, especially when someone mumbled “why don’t you go home, bin laden?” in a book store we were browsing. I am almost positive Ozan didn’t hear this, because I hardly did, but it took all the restraints within me to hold my tongue, and my fists.

It reminded me of another time when I was out eating with two young Muslim girls who were friends of mine, and a man passing by the patio asked how hard their husbands beat them. I forget people like that exist sometimes, especially within the confines of peaceful places like CIES, but out in the real world, you never know what to expect.

After that happened, I really wanted Ozan to have a fun time, so my friends and I took him around to view a few bands. Ozan seemed a little mesmerized by the performances, asking every now and then, “What did he say? What was that word?” Unfortunately, I’m the worst person to ask about lyrics, so I told him his guess was as good as mine.

We met a group of people from Hare Krishna, and a young lady began sharing the beliefs of the faith, which interested me in Ozan. Most of my friends find it frustrating whenever I listen to people on the street with pamphlets, but I can never seem to follow through when I hear them whispering, “don’t make eye contact!” After a few minutes of silence and aggressive nodding, we broke loose from the “HARE KRISHNA” chanting and Ozan expressed he didn’t quite understand what she was saying, but he liked that she was friendly the entire time.

Bye the time I dropped off Ozan, he told me he was going to miss me very much as an American friend, and he was thankful that I was so patient with him whenever he was searching for the words he needed. He gave me a huge hug goodbye, and said how we must meet once again in Turkey one day. I told him that I would like that very much, and that he now owes me a tour of Ankara! :)