21 Comments
Aug 16, 2022Liked by Brent Hartinger

"Most of what we fear — not all, but most — is another lie. The truth is the joy we feel when we realize that most of our fears aren’t real."

THIS! Hoping to learn as much as the two of you in our travels......

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Aug 13, 2022Liked by Brent Hartinger

"... the vast majority of the world isn’t anything to be afraid of."

A wonderful realization...

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If this was a con, he was so smooth he almost deserved to rip us off. - hahahahaha i love this attitude

“She said, ‘Everything in life is a lie, only the hammam massage is true.’” - also this

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Aug 13, 2022Liked by Brent Hartinger

Aside from the nakedness issue, Duman didn’t need to add “American” when he said “you are not like American tourists.” Face it- in their prejudices, their unearned sense of entitlement, their judgmental tendencies, their laziness, and their lack of shame (did I forget anything?), tourists are a detestable breed, no matter where they come from. Your newsletter is a very good step-by-step in how to find a better way of being while on the road (but don’t misunderstand- unless you’re a “lifer,” you’re still a tourist).

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Aug 12, 2022Liked by Brent Hartinger

I'm very glad you learned a happy lesson about yourself, Brent. You will carry this insight for the rest of your life and be able to go back and draw upon it whenever you feel nervous or afraid of an unfamiliar moment. And of course, you will go back to a good hammam again and again and this is a VERY good thing.

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Aug 12, 2022Liked by Brent Hartinger

This is very insightful, Brent. I too feel like a different person. I was never afraid to go somewhere new, but I absolutely know I am up to the challenge to live anywhere in the world without fear.

This article reminds me of a quote from Rick Steves, who was one of my first travel heroes:

“Travel is rich with learning opportunities, and the ultimate sourvenir is a broader perspective.”

― Rick Steves

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Aug 12, 2022Liked by Brent Hartinger

Excellent description of the hammam...when my wife and I were in Istanbul, we stayed at the HammamHane hotel in Cihangir, which had it's own hammam. My experience was very similar to yours. I'm a massage therapist by trade and was very impressed by the quality of the massage I received. I hate a 'wimpy' massage and this was definitely not in that category.

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Duman was quite right. I went to the very touristy Blue Lagoon in Iceland, which followed the Icelandic custom of communal showers. Being for tourists, though, it also had some private cubicles. All the Americans I observed looked aghast, and lined up for the private showers, while the rest of us carried on prancing about in all our bodily-diverse glory. I mean, I'm no oil painting (unless it's by Rubens), but this is another country, and best enjoyed as the locals do (even if I did the touristy spa..., yeah, okay, not that adventurous) I salute you guys!

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Aug 12, 2022Liked by Brent Hartinger

Wonderful story. I’m envious for this type of experience and understanding g of oneself.

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Excellent.

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