Wednesday August 30: 12:00 am
Istanbul

Locals tan on towels laid down on the side of the rocky road. The sun beats down heavy on all of the horses’ backs. We curve along the path that circles the island hill. The skinny beach is crowded all the way.

Finally a peak pokes through the trees, the big beach reveal. Tramping down we pass three women and a fire, a shack, and half a path to the empty rocks. Run out into shining corridor dividing the water and the sky.

Float on salty water, wading through schools of jellyfish. Flip backwards and let the waves take the body any way. Slip on sunglasses and close eyelids, thinking that the plane leaves tomorrow but today will never end.