Maher Bajis

In Hakkari today I climbed a hill to get to a viewpoint so I can see the valley below in the Zagros mountains. A little boy saw me at the bottom of the hill and asked if he could join me. I said he could. After we descended again he told me that in Türkiye I need to have Turkish money and he insisted on giving me 10 lira (equivalent to 22¢) to help me survive in his country. Of course I refused but when I saw him become sad I took it and thanked him for the assistance. That made him happy. At first I felt bad about taking the money but then I realized that what he got in return is something much more valuable. Respect. He saw a guest and he did his duty. I honored his kindness. He told me his name but I forgot it already (I’ve spent so much time with children today) These are the kinds of encounters that make travel meaningful for me. Not the castles or the forests, but moments like this, when a human connection is made and a positive memory is planted in my heart