Bonding by Belly Dancing - by Hapa Hipster

©HapaHipster 2015

One of the best parts of expat life is getting to do new things all the time. Everyday I am meeting new Turks and other expats - two weeks ago I got an email from a Chicago friend, living abroad. She had a American friend (who lives abroad now) coming to Istanbul for a long weekend. Did I have time? she wanted to know, Could I meet up with her?  Living abroad, I have the special joy of being the go-to friend in Istanbul.

Emails were exchanged and a meet up was planned. I met up with Hapa Hipster at her hotel in the Old City district. Both being from the American Mid-west (her Ohio and me Illinois), living abroad and studying yoga, we had a few things in common. We went on to have an awesome day, exploring the Blue Mosque and doing a little shopping the Grand Bazaar. During the day we discussed her taking a Bosphorus cruise that night. It would include belly dancing and other traditional folk dances, as well as food and an amazing view of the city from the water. With such a short time in the city it seemed like a pretty good idea. Neither one of us could have known what that night would have in store for her... 

©HapaHipster 2015

Initially perceived as an outsider, she belly danced her way into the hearts of guests on board this Bosphorus dinner cruise, for a night I'm sure they will all remember for a long time. Check out her touching account of staying in the moment and bridging the gap from East to West.

Click here to read her post, Bonding by Belly Dancing, on her blog, It Only Takes A Smile.

When friends send friends your way, you never know who you're going to meet!

Thank you, Hapa!