Today is the day of departure.
I woke up fairly early in my windowless hotel room. Still, the gentle light filtering in from behind the wall panels created the illusion of a sunrise. It wasn’t too strange after all.
My flight was scheduled for 10:10, but it was too early for the hotel breakfast. I checked in first, wandered through the airport shops, picked up some Baklava for loved ones, and finally sat down to enjoy my morning coffee in peace. A small, grounding ritual before the next transition.
As I sipped, I reflected on this journey. This trip was far more than sightseeing. It was deeply emotional, transformative, and full of beauty. The unforgettable flight over Cappadocia in a hot air balloon, the sacred stillness of the Whirling Dervishes ceremony, the laughter and long walks through cities, the heartfelt conversations, and the bonds that bloomed between us.
Each day peeled away a layer, bringing me closer to myself, to others, and to the present moment.
It wasn't just a retreat. It was a soulful voyage—outward through landscapes of wonder, and inward through quiet revelations.
Although this flight isn't taking me home to Luxembourg just yet, it’s guiding me toward another sweet moment: afternoon tea with a dear friend in Paris. And somehow, that feels just right—a soft landing for the heart, a gentle continuation of the grace this journey gave me.
I leave Turkey with a full heart, grateful, inspired, and ready for whatever comes next.
