Turkish ice cream man outside Topkapi Palace. Dread tugging day!

A very insightful friend of mine wants to know: how many people ask to touch my dreads here in Istanbul?

Ramadan ended about a week ago.  We happened to go for a walk in Sultanahmet the day after it ended.  The streets were FILLED with people.  I don’t know if I’ve ever seen so many people out.  There were major traffic jams on the sidewalk!

I was standing in line for an ice cream cone when I felt a tug on my dreads.  Somewhat stunned I looked back and noticed a young woman walking with her family – I don’t know why but I sensed it had been her.  She then turned around and stared at me intently.  My first dread encounter.

After that we began noticing how many people were staring at me.  Some with curiosity, many with disgust.  Of the latter most were women.  It was quite entertaining.  A few blocks later as we were accosted by a carpet seller a group of young women standing behind me began tugging on my dreads and asking me questions in Turkish.  It was bizarre.  Fortunately they were nice about it and one of them told me the dreads were pretty.  The staring continued for the rest of the evening.  Kenny told me that he had to “stare down” a number of women who were about to grab my dreads – wow.  At some point I began feeling overwhelmed by the attention.  Our last stop that day, a bakery across from the Blue Mosque, the man behind the counter asked me if my dreads were real.  I told him the truth, that they are not and that I did it for Burning Man (attempting to explain Burning Man – priceless!)  I also told him about the stares and tugging.  He explained they don’t see many people with dreads anymore, that about 5 years ago there were many tourist with this style of hair but not now.  Ahhhh Ha!   That explains it!

Well the dreads are out and no one stares anymore.  In fact, now I’m often asked if I’m Turkish.  How funny

Very important to know:      Tuvalet nerede?  (too*va*let ne*re*de)      where’s the toilet?

love,  ju