3 Magic Words
A simple sentence that opened uncountable doors and got me traveling again.
I remember finishing my shift at the restaurant late in the evening. I stepped down the three little sandstone steps, breathing in the cold and fresh air. That's actually the best part of Feierabend (finishing a shift). My eyes wander and strategically search the area in front of the restaurant. The little voice in my head says, didn't you park the bike right there at the lantern??? One thing follows the other - I am searching the entire area for my bicycle, but I am not lucky! It's gone! After a while, I doubt myself and wonder whether I have walked or taken the bike to work.
Let's be honest: "I am 1000% positive that I took the bike."
Back home, I push the handle of the old rusty door in the backyard, and there are many bikes to see, but not mine.
Photograph by Gül Isik
It's the next day! My alarm goes off, and I am preparing coffee. The sun is out, pleasing on a cold autumn day.
I open my kitchen window- it's blasting outside. The noise does not distract me anymore. A subway station is down the street, a child care centre on the ground floor, and a hospital is in the next building.
My head turns sideways, and in focus, the crazy lady from the neighbouring building. She is wearing a fancy bathrobe as always- in bright colours and taking a walk on the rooftop.
It's not a rooftop with plants, a little garden or a railing. It's one of those rooftops which are usually locked so people do not slip and fall off.
But she is different. She likes to walk on the skyscraper roof and does not mind stepping close to the abyss. So close that a few weeks ago, I ran, in my pyjamas, over to save the alleged suicide. The doors were locked, I couldn't do much, and the police took over the case when they arrived.
Well, she still is taking walks pretty much every morning, holding a big glass bottle in her hand. I am not saying it's a wine bottle, but it looks like one.
Anyways, the coffee is hot, strong, and sweet, which is everything that my life lacks at the moment. I realise that my bike was stolen last night, and the job I am working in needs an update. I am tired of the 4 walls I am waking up in, and the last vacation was so long ago that I don't even remember it. So, here comes the beautiful and dangerous 3-word sentence:
"I have enough!"
I am saying it out loud, which takes it to an tremendous serious level. Those three words are powerful! Those three words are the beginning of greatness, and those three words mean trouble is around the corner.
My head spins, and all sorts of thoughts are floating around and mixing up like the ingredients of a Singapore sling in a shaker.
Luckily, today is my day off, so I can take my time to make hasty decisions.
I am taking out the trash, and while doing so, I am thinking: "I should get rid of all the unnecessary stuff in my apartment. I am not a person who likes things. I feel good with less - it calms my mind!"
About 30 minutes later, I am walking over to the second-hand store to get rid of stuff! Not just a little bit of stuff; I am on a mission which is called self-care, indoor freedom and trying to find that stupid idiot who stole my bike.
Somewhere between packing boxes for the second-hand store and discussing sale prices with the owner, I have decided to go and work the winter season in Austria or Switzerland. I don't know anyone who does that. I have no idea what I am gonna do with my apartment or how long the notice period for the job I am working in is. I would like to see a new country, but I am too broke to pay for it. So, working at the Winter Wonderland seems like a genius plan!
Let me put that in short words:
I am looking things up online, finding out where the best spots in Austria are for a winter vacation/ a waitress to work at, how to rent out a furnished apartment, quit my job and 5 days later, I finish my last shift and drive off to Austria. Of course, I don't have a job yet, but about 500 bucks in my pocket, my apartment is rented out for the next 6 months straight, and I am getting lost on the windy mountain roads of Austria. Life is sweet!
My car is glowing hot- It's late at night and dark on the streets. Smoke comes out of the front of my car, and I am stopping at the nearest hotel to get some rest and find everything else I need tomorrow.
Photography by A. Demir
I am having breakfast. The coffee is hot, almost as hot as my car from last night. I am not finding out anything. I do not come to any conclusion; no wink with a thing, but the check-out time is in about: NOW!!
I pour water and oil into my car. I am not religious, but when it comes to my vehicle and partner, I pray. A final prayer to the god of automobiles, and I am off to some places in Tirol called Söll and Hintertux.
I heard the glacier attracts visitors and provides a guaranteed snow-covered ski slope. The hotels are also pricey, and I guess that’s a good sign for a busy season. I am looking for a job, so I am asking around, and someone tells me that many places are looking for staff in Mayrhofen. I am off to the next town, and after asking about a million more places, I am on the phone with Mr. Man. He tells me to come over to Hotel Wannis as they are looking for a Chef de Rang for the a la carte Restaurant.
We are having a short conversation, and he tells me I can start tomorrow, and if his wife likes my work, I can stay for the season. He looks at me with glassy eyes, bloodshot eye bags, and a cold expression. He shook his head and said: "Where are you sleeping tonight?" I reply: "I don't know. I haven't checked in to any place yet." He grins and says: “You can stay at the staff house.” His son shows me a room with a bed, a tiny window, and a piece of wood that may one day have been a wardrobe.
Malt is spread all over the room, and the house is quiet. I am taking a walk to the store to pick up some snacks, and on the way back, I get the menu from the Hotel Restaurant to find out what and who I will be working with the next day.
A femail my age walks toward me, I extend my hand to greet her. “Hi, I am Stella. I have my first day tomorrow.” Anja looks at me with a fancy hairdo and a happy face "finely a woman", she laughs and tells me she is the only girl working here. And the rest is history.
We spent the next 5 months day in and day out together- working, exploring, living. In our free time, which is rare, we explore the glacier, some beautiful mountains, caves, the ice bar, and many other natural places in the area in which we are living.
A few months pass, and I decide to go to the Caribbean after the season.
And off to the next adventure.
