Experience Bayram in Istanbul

In the U.S., we celebrate Thanksgiving in Turkey they celebrate Kurban Bayrami, Bayram in Istanbul is a religious holiday. Our Thanksgiving isn’t religious and is only a one-day celebration while Bayram in Istanbul goes on for several days. Our Thanksgiving celebrates the survival of one of the first settlements in the USA. It is our thankful celebration of the pilgrim’s survival.

We eat a lot and celebrate our country’s founding and our families. Turkish people celebrate Bayrami. It is also a feast day. Both Kurban Bayram and Thanksgiving are happy to feast days. The feast days celebrated with family, friends, and food. The food of Bayram is lamb or beef. In the USA, we celebrate with Turkey.

We eat a lot and celebrate our country’s founding and our families. In Turkey, it is a festival, a feast for several days. Both Kurban Bayram and Thanksgiving are happy to days. Both feast days celebrate family, friends, and food. The food of Bayram is lamb or beef. In the USA, we celebrate with Turkey.

Bayram In Istanbul is Family Time

Bayram’s a religious holiday. The date varies each year. When traveling it’s always a good idea to check if there are holiday celebrations when you are there. I had had times when I didn’t do this (in Israel), and it leads to a big adventure and drama.

About This Time

During Bayram in Istanbul, I had been trying to get a man to pay me some money he owed me. Unfortunately, he didn’t want to pay me. I told Zeki, and Zeki went to the man and requested that he pay me my money. 

During Bayram the man paid me. Zeki got half of the money. He was shocked. Half of the money went to Zeki because I would have nothing without him. Additionally, he deserved it. Half is better than nothing. He was a little embarrassed but happy, all at the same time.

I did this for a few reasons. First it I was the right thing. Also, I meant it. Half the money was better than zero. But, I wanted to demonstrate that if we collaborated, we could do more together. I was also trying to be a team player. Teamwork is better than solo work.  This is the spirit of Bayram.

Working Together

At work or home, working together is better, than being a lone wolf. I think this one moment changed everything for us. We were more collaborative than before. He asked for my advice more and more. My trip was teaching me a lot about me.

How to Experience Bayram in Istanbul

My friend from the shop, Zeki, was a new adopted family member. Moses, Zeki and I spent the day together; our little Istanbul family. At the shop, no one stayed home for Bayram. We wanted to help Moses pay off his loan. So we all tried to help out. I folded scarves every chance I had. Zeki helped me, and so did Moses.

Our days were long at the shop. Moses brought us meat for the Bayram sacrifice and a donation to the poor from his family.

Matchmaking at the Bazaar

Zeki began to share more with me. He told me about his special relationship with a gal whom he wasn’t dating but liked a lot. I asked if his family knew her family. Did the families like each other, were they friends? Yes, the two families were friends. They knew each other for a long time. The two of them grew up together and were friends. She was divorced. Now they liked each other as more than friends.

“Are you in love?”

“Yes.”

“Do her parents know?”

“No.”

“Are you serious?”

He decided he needed to talk to her to determine if they were both on the same page. Later in the day, he spoke to her. He asked if they were dating, or just hanging out as friends. I asked if he had brought her a gift. He decided it was time to bring her a gift. We had a serious conversation. A gift was in order. Zeki bought her a pink scarf. I helped him pick it out.

Zeki bought his friend a pink scarf

Thankful

Thankfully, the next day Zeki said things had gone well.

“You aren’t dating, right?” I asked

“No,” he said.

“If your family approves, have you asked her father to get engaged?” I couldn’t resist playing matchmaker for my adopted family member.

How to Experience Bayram in Istanbul

Getting engaged is part of the Muslim tradition if a man sincerely wants to a woman to be with him. Zeki decided they would talk about it again that night. He wanted to be sure that the woman felt the same way about him. The woman came in later, and Zeki introduced her to everyone. We had tea, and I thought she was lovely. The new couple was euphoric. An excellent match as far as I could tell.

Generosity Makes You Feel Rich

A little girl who regularly played music at the Bazaar often came into the shop and played for us. Zeki gave her a tip for playing. He always did this. One day, I asked him why he tipped her.

How to Experience Bayram in Istanbul – Give a Gift

“She has nothing and I want to help her. I want her to come back. I am thankful she comes. During the feast, we give to the poor.”

Zeki is a rich man because he has a big heart.

Bayram – Donate to the needy

Help Others

The reason I share this story with you is to provide a perspective on giving and thankfulness. I am thankful for knowing each of the people that I meet.

To be allowed access to their world is a great gift for which I am profoundly grateful. Thanks to those who gave me permission to tell this story and who have allowed me to be part of their world. To live like I am Turkish, being able to share in their daily routine. I accepted it and will be forever grateful.

Bayram in Istanbul Helped Me Understand These Things

Women who travel solo can have so many opportunities to meet people.

Ask yourself:

• Who do you want to get to know?
• What country most interests you for a longer stay?
• If you could do something that you don’t do at home, what would it be?

Do you want to do one of these opportunities?

• Volunteer through your church for a mission trip
• Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers in your town
• Volunteer on a medical mission; sometimes non-medical personnel are needed

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Dr. Seuss

Travel tip: this is How to Experience Bayram in Istanbul – always be generous and give to the poor.