27 Comments

I love this collection of curiosities too! The way you've brought them together sparks so much inspiration in me. And so much resonates, especially about feeling like a native in a foreign city (for me, the cities / towns of Andalucía in Spain), and a foreigner in my own city (Singapore, where I grew up), although my connection with Andalucía is not through heritage but more of an emotional and soul connection. I feel like being in Andalucía helps me connect with and express the parts of me that were asleep in other places, including where I grew up. I also loved The Midnight Library! I read it on New Year's Eve in December 2020, and in the next years that followed, I came face to face a lot with all the themes explored. The concept of feeling home and belonging is so central to my life and what I explore in my writing too. I'm about to read your essay On not Belonging now!

Expand full comment
author

Aww, thank you! I don't know you, but just reading your comments makes me feel very connected to you. It's great that you felt similar emotions in Andalucia 🖤 Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!

Expand full comment

This was such an interesting read. I had never heard of Koine languages before. And you are right about the feeling of feeling like an outsider in a place that you have called home and feeling like you belong in a place far away from home. I read The Midnight Library a few years ago and I really liked the message it had for all of us.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much, Reema :) Sorry, I am a bit late to reply. I have been travelling in Crete for the past week. I turned 40 and celebrated big. Back online again! Have a good rest of the week 🖤

Expand full comment

Hola , Como Bien Dices En Tú Relato , El Sentimiento De Pertenencia Es Algo Que Siempre Llevamos A Cuesta Sobre Nuestros Hombros. Sobre Las Curiosidades Cotidianas Fuera De Nuestros Hogares , ( Ciudades ) , Esos Dos Bellos Ejemplos Que Mencionas , Son Pequeños Momentos Que Alimentan El Alma Humana. Mi Última Curiosidad En Mi Vida , Ha Sido Hace Unos Pocos Días , Rescaté En La Grieta De Un Glaciar Ha Una Loba Y A Sus Tres Lobeznos , Con Su Momento Álgido De La Alegría Por La Salvación De Esas Cuatro Vidas , De La Mordedura De La Loba Hacía Mi Persona , Pensando Tal Vez En El Daño Que Le Podría Hacer A Ella O A Sus Hijos , La Reconciliación Final , Al Darse Cuenta De Que No Le Iba Hacer Nada , El Traslado Casi Dramático De Todos A Mí Casa Para La Recuperación De Todos , ( Los Lobeznos Estaban Muy Débiles , Seguramente Llevarán Varios Días Atrapados En La Grieta Sin Poder Comer Y Una Herida En Un Costado De La Loba ). Ahora Mismo Están Todos Mejor , Los Tengo Durmiendo Al Lado De La Estufa Y Al Lobezno " Ajax " , Durmiendo En Mi Regazo En Estos Momentos. Bueno Espero Que Estés Disfrutando De La Mágica Isla De Creta , Por Adelantado Felicidades Por Tú Cumpleaños , Bienvenida Al Club De Los Cuarenta. Un Saludo.

Expand full comment
author

¡Muchas gracias! Lo pasé muy bien con mis amigos en Grecia. Se siente raro tener 40 ahora, jaja. Espera, ¿Google lo tradujo correctamente? ¿Rescataste a un lobo real?

Expand full comment
May 1Liked by Tuğba Avci

It was really interesting to read about koine languages!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much, Mariana :) Sorry, I am a bit late to reply. I was travelling. I also learned about koine languages when reading about Greek Orthodox prayers. Glad you liked it. Have a good rest of the week 🖤

Expand full comment
May 9Liked by Tuğba Avci

No worries, hope you had a good trip ✨ I'm going to take a look, thank you for the recommendation. You too~

Expand full comment

Oh Tuğba, loved this piece- as expected.

I read the Midnight library last summer and had to take it slower so it would last longer. I loved it so much. I definately think the book helps put your life choices into perspective and makes you remember to make the most of the choices you make.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Claire. :) I had a proper book hangover after reading the book. Is there any other book you took it so slow on? I need some new inspiration. Thank you for reading! I really appreciate your support.

Expand full comment

I have been loving Ito Ogawa but I don't think that she's been translated into english. I mostly read japanese writers these days or books that take place in either a library or a book shop 🙈

I looooved Green dot by Madeleine Gray, mostly her writing. I enjoyed the reading list from Sara Nisha Adams and the podcast In Haste made me buy a few books 😆

I also discovered a french writer- Jeanne Benameur and I think I'm falling in love with her writing.

And finally, one of my favourite writer is Elif Shafak ! I haven't read her last two books but they are on my shelves, waiting.

Expand full comment

Tugba I have a feeling of not belonging as well here in Mexico City. I love it here, but I know I'm an outsider at the end of the day. I don't know if I feel I "belong" anywhere. Maybe in the mountains, separate from civilization. I hope one day I can feel this sense of belonging where I currently live.

Expand full comment

Thank you for bringing part of one of my homes to my inbox Tuğba! Loved reading it just like the other ones :)

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much, Sara! I'm now back, and I already miss being in Athens. But it's also great to be home again. Have a good rest of the week 🖤

Expand full comment

I know the feeling, the coziness of home is truly unique! You too, Tuğba 🩷

Expand full comment

Just caught up on Curiosities #1 after reading #2 - this is a great idea for a regular column or installment. It got me thinking about several of mine - one of which is getting the full treatment in my newsletter tomorrow (I've become completely obsessed) but there's also this rock I found on the beach in Northumberland, England with lots of holes in it that sits proudly on my desk. I treasure it.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Diana! Do you mean the Pulaski Skyway? Wow, it looks amazing. I love the black-and-white. You wrote that you are leaving New Jersey. Where will you be moving?

Expand full comment

Yes, I meant the Pulaski Skyway! I love thinking of it as a curiosity I've collected. It simply demanded to be photographed in black and white. Yes, we are leaving New Jersey (though I plan to visit often) and heading for the beautiful Berkshires in western Massachusetts. It's been many, many years in the making, and feels momentous to finally be moving there next month. Mountains, rivers, lakes, incredible biodiversity, and finally a dedicated studio to work out of, I can't wait to see what curiosities we discover up there!

Expand full comment

Beautifully written. I’m already looking forward to #3 (but only when you and your curiosity are ready).

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much! Sorry for replying late. Have a good rest of the week 🖤

Expand full comment

No problem, I knew you were travelling. Enjoy your week too - we finally have some warmer weather.

Expand full comment
Apr 30·edited Apr 30Liked by Tuğba Avci

Cirque du Soleil has a show called “KURIOS: Cabinet of Curiosities.” It’s a fantastic show.

Loved this article here and the other one you linked about Cabinets of Curiosities.

Also, I had an Alice in Wonderland wedding. It was inexpensive by wedding standards and highly creative. I am also an artist. 🎨

Expand full comment
author

Jodi, thank you so much! Sorry for my late reply. I was travelling for the past week. I turned 40, and I had a big celebration with my friends. Oh wow, about your wedding. That is so cute! It is a fantastic theme to have for a wedding. How did you decide it? Are you a big fan of Alice in Wonderland? Have a good rest of the week 🖤

Expand full comment
deletedJun 24·edited Jun 24
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Sneha, for sharing! I’m happy that this resonated with you. I love it when other people connect with my experiences. Even if we have never met and are far apart, somehow, we are still connected based on our experiences 🖤

Expand full comment
deletedMay 14
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
author

Amazing! Do you still have the book? Was it just an introduction, or what exactly did it contain? I'm so fascinated by it. I never looked into what books were on the topic.

Expand full comment
deletedMay 14
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
author

Gosh I love plants! I will try and get it second hand on WOB. Thank you so much! Have a great weekend 🖤

Expand full comment