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‘Shadi k bad jahan jana hai chali jana’, ‘hum jis society se belong krtay hain wahan larkian akele nahi ghoomti’, ‘tum ab hamain pooray khandan k samne embarrass karo gi?’

Most of the girls who belong to desi middle class families must have heard these words in one way or another (and if you haven’t, well congratulations you’re lucky) My mum said these sentences when I told her I wanted to travel on my own.

Travelling was my one and only dream since I was a little girl but sadly, my parents didn’t like it. As a child, I always wanted to go somewhere, anywhere. I didn’t care about the destination, all I wanted was to be able to travel and witness the beauty this world has to offer. As I grew older, the wanderlust grew with me but by this time, I had realized it’s not possible for me because obviously my parents were not interested to take me anywhere and I didn’t plan to get married anytime soon so I thought yaar Shanza, let’s keep dreaming.

But Allah had different plans for me. When I was in my final year of university, I happened to start freelancing (just because I went out with my friends a lot and my pocket money wasn’t enough for that). As time passed, I started saving and before I knew it, I had enough money to travel. So, I started thinking about all the places I could travel, I did a little research and I chose Turkey. I loved the idea that I could travel, I loved spending hours on the internet finding tips about traveling, best places to visit, how to stay safe when traveling alone etc. I was still not sure if I will be able to make this trip but I had the whole itinerary made for myself.

Those were the days when I used to stay awake the whole night. I kept thinking about how am I going to apply for visa alone and the most difficult step was how am I going to convince my parents. But on the other hand, I also knew I had to stand up for my dreams and that if I gave up now, I will regret it all my life.

So, in order ‘to give it a try’, I applied for Turkish visa, knowing I didn’t have a very strong bank statement, I left everything on fate. Anyway, I got my visa and that was the time I told my parents about this whole thing. Trust me I have never seen my mother more disappointed in me. She didn’t talk to me for 2 days straight and my dad? Well, you can see what his reaction was in this screenshot. After a week of struggling, my parents agreed (not because I have a good convincing power but because they didn’t have any other choice). I was so happy and it was all too good for me. I couldn’t believe I was finally going to make it.

The moment I stepped out of the Ataturk International Airport, I was feeling all sorts of things. I was happy, nervous and confused but most of all, I was proud, that was the moment I knew I made it and that moment is still the happiest moment of my life. I remember how I kept pinching myself to believe I wasn’t dreaming.

I pinched myself while walking in rain in the beautiful streets in Sultanahmet, I pinched myself while watching the most wonderful sunrise on a hot air balloon in Cappadocia and I pinched myself while listening to Azaan from the beautiful blue mosque (I’m not exaggerating, I promise). I stayed there for 10 days and they all felt like a dream, and when I look back at it, it still feels like a dream, a really beautiful one.

I came back home safely and although my parents may never agree, but when my friends or cousins talk to me about my trip in front of them and ask me questions like how I managed it all on my own and wasn’t I scared being there all alone, I can see that my parents look at me with pride (I may be wrong though lol).

Anyway, no matter what their reason was, I am really thankful to my parents for allowing me to go. I am also thankful to my brother, who was the only one in my family to support me and I’m thankful to my friend Madiha, who believed in me and helped me in staying positive, but most of all I am thankful to Almighty Allah, for making me strong enough and letting me fulfil my dreams.