We decided it was imparitive and long overdue to have a night of bonding with the girls. We had decided friday would be the night. The night was somewhat threatened as we figured it could effect our relationship with the other trainees. We were worried that if we, the girls, closed ourselves in our room to bond that they, the boys, may be feel a little left our or even betrayed. The night was saved by Iva who just decided screw it, we need to bond. It might have been a little easier for her since her boy toy was out of town for the weekend. As soon as I got home from work I had no choice, I was in. I was given a beer as the door was shut behind me. Of course we had to take our smoke breaks during which we would go out into the hallway and sing christmas carols as loud as we could to piss of the rest of the guys. We wanted to get them back for waking us up at 4:00 o'clock every morning during Ramadan with their obnoctiously loud laughter.
Although our strategy at the beinning was to bond as women from around the world, I was suprised that it actually worked. With all of the distraction (girls worring about the boys) we stuck together much longer than I expected. Even when we went out we were linked arm and arm as "a Force not to be reckoned with". I think we took for granted the fact that the guys still stood behind us, and physically in front of us to protect their female friends in a culture less accepting to the idea of women being independent. They acted as our body guards when we left the dorm and ventured out into the mysterious and exciting night life of the Beyoulu area.
After taking five taquilla shots (I mean one for each of us), dancing, and passing around Ozan's hat, I got lost. As we were making our way to a new, and of course "more exciting," establishment I got a phone call from a special friend in Hawaii. I ducked out to talk to him as the group kept walking. Their realization that I was gone was quite delayed due to their level of intoxication. They called me five minutes later but by this time I had already gone looking for then on the chaotic street of Istiklal and had made the decision to take a cab home. It was the best idea considering I had an appointment early the next morning.
I think it's okay that I broke the chain, I don't think our Force would have lasted much longer anyway. They actually ended up at the one and only Sawade. Unfortunately this is where the posh little hat found it's rightful owner.
Even though the night was a little crazy, the mission was complete. All of us had felt just a little bit closer after this engagement and it was real. I feel like these girls are my friends. I would do absolutely anything for them. We are all here alone from all over the world. We need each other. We need this bond to be safe, to make life exciting, to breakthrough cultural bariers. It is absolutely wonderful. Plans are in process for Girls Night II, Ugly Girls Go Pretty.
