Two months ago, after Iran’s critical situation and the exhausting mental pressure of the environment, and of course the internet, I decided to return to Turkey for an indefinite period. Fortunately, the company covered the travel and hotel costs, leaving no other reason to wait. There was only a small issue: we had to book the hotel ourselves, and until then, thanks to one of my colleagues, we stayed at their home for a few days.

After some relative peace and catching up on several pending tasks, plus a one-day trip to Adalar, at the suggestion of my dear friend Alireza, we decided to extend our weekend a bit and take a short trip to Eskisehir and an unforgettable Ankara.

We booked the train tickets and hotels and finally headed to Eskisehir on the high-speed YHT train. Words aren’t enough to describe this beautiful city, and I’m still amazed why, all the times I had previously been in Turkey, I never visited it. A stunning river and the opportunity to boat like in ancient Rome make the city incredibly scenic. Unlike Istanbul, the city is completely flat, with warm-hearted people and, of course, much colder weather.

After the amazing Eskisehir, the next destination was Ankara to relive some memories. Although 24 hours is far too short for this city, it was enough to visit the Ataturk Museum, Ankara Castle, and its historic houses. We also spent a little time strolling around the city center and revisiting my old home, reminiscing about the past.

Finally, after nearly two months, we decided to return to cold Tabriz and stay hopeful for the next permanent trip...