So, just how did I end up here?
27Sunday 26 October, 2014 by Uncle Spike
Well well, who would’ve thought that young Spike would one day be a naturalised Türk, having emigrated to the pan-Eurasian country of Turkey in the mid-naughties?
I was recently asked by a Spikette by the name of Joanne (from the blog ‘My Life Lived Full‘) how I came to end up here. Now, not wanting to dodge the question, as one advocates ‘blog requests’, here goes, the story of Spike Mk III in the making…
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Ever since I could walk, I have had nomadic tendencies. From the running away from home as a youngster, to the teenage railway holidays just for the sake of travelling. Then there was hitch-hiking, something I used to relish as a pastime, both on domestic soil and long-distance international adventures.
After a fairly traumatic bag of ups and downs during my late teens, I opted for the “I’ll go off for a month and find myself”. It was the fashionable thing to do at the time. Did I ‘find myself’? Well, that’s debatable, but what I did discover was a love of overseas travel, and a love of hot climates, differing cultures, alternative religious offerings and a thirst for adventure.
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Like most travellers, I used to sit and daydream about settling down in all sorts of places. I recall how I planned on teaching English in Beijing, training as a kayak instructor in New Zealand, a chauffeur in Israel, and an elephant trainer in India. Guess what, I moved into IT, working for a bank in the UK; so there ya go, there are dreams…, and then there’s reality… lol
However, life has a funny old way of kicking you in the short-n-curlies, and then, whilst you are bent over double in agony, another door opens. And that’s kind of what happened to me. I was widowed rather suddenly and wham-bam, life as I knew it stopped. The serious day job, the extra jobs at weekends and evenings, the double-mortgage, the big house, the fancy cars, the holidays…. well, they all suddenly seemed so immaterial and of absolutely no use or interest to me.
After a few soul-searching weeks, wandering around the Scottish Highlands, New England in the States, and the mountains here in Turkey, I reached a decision. My old life, whilst I would never have changed it at the time, simply wasn’t the right thing for me any more…
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So that was that… house up for sale to repay debts, resign from the bank, gave away all my furniture and belongings (that was fun, having friends around to literally empty the garden shed, attic, spare room etc). I then jumped on a plane back to Turkey, with just 20kg of belongings… and well, started life all over again.
The rest is history I guess one could say.
UNCLE SPIKE
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20k of luggage no way!!! That’s just shoes lol.
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I wore my shoe collection.. nuff said.
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From banker to outstanding farmer…you needed to add in. And…don’t forget Blogger with a great sense of humor.
My Mother always said: “Everything works out for the best if you just let it.!” One of the hardest things in the world to do. It sounds like you did it!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/?s=The+Adventures+of+Fuzzy+and+Boomer&submit=Search
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
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Just life, that’s all… with all its twists and turns
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The short version, I’m sure 🙂
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Very much so…. could write rather a looong story or short book on it, but didn’t want to lose my followers John 🙂
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I know why you end up in Turkey….you’re a happy camel ☜(ˆ▿ˆc)
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Well, I don’t know. I think you got to where you wanted to be and needed to be in the end – just went a long way about it. But the same about our coming to Australia and leaving home and family behind us – you get to where you need to be in the end and the experiences along the way set you up for it.
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Yep, life’s a journey, and all that 🙂
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A big loss like you’ve experienced does change everything. I think of it as all the cards being thrown up in the air. Sounds like yours have at least landed the right way up.
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Good way to put it. Yes, we are all dealt different hands, even with the same cards, folk can play that hand in many ways.
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You definitely illustrate that “life is made for living”; loved your story and look forward to the others that are sure to follow 🙂
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Thanks Gale, much appreciated
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What is amazing with life is how the possibilites of change are endless. Alhough often triggered by events that are sad and even dramatic, the human capability for rebound is huge. You are showing us how possible it is and I fully share your thoughts on the topic. Inspiring to anyone willing to explore new surroundings and start from scratch. Best to you and your family for more adventures together.
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Thanks Evelyne… life is for living after all…
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Sounds like a good idea.
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Thanks Spike … your story is actually quite dramatic in its twists and turns. You’ve packed more living into your life up to now than most people do in their entire lifespan.
It sounds like you are finally in the place that brings you contentment 🙂
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Perhaps, but still reinventing…. not finished just quite yet 🙂
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Never stop reinventing! 🙂
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Hope that answered your question…. told you I did ‘requests’ 🙂
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The impact that one change in your life (albeit a huge sad one for you) can have such far reaching effects is fantastic. The pity is most people don’t embrace them. You did and it worked, we did and it gave us a life experience we would never have forgone. Great knowing why you are in Turkey.
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Thanks Irene. Life is full of opportunity albeit in many guises.
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Thank you for sharing your journey. Wishing you much happiness.
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Wow, what a story…well done you!
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Thanks Sue 🙂
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That was interesting. Quite a decision just to up and leave everything behind. I think I would have clung to the familiar if the same thing had happened to me, but it obviously worked out really well for you. I love the photo of the wake of the boat. Very apt.
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Thanks Annette 🙂
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