It is difficult to keep a long-term pen pal relationship, that’s why I am very lucky.

I believe that I taught 'Merhaba' word at Turkish language to at least 30 people. It means hello.

Just like many other female citizen of third world country, I was treated like convicting any shameful act.

We stayed few days together in Zagreb, discovering the city, sharing experiences and adventures...

A summer encounter

So, after a week of sending letters in Slowly, he asked me to meet up...

Some people go to me to learn some French, and I teach them French with great pleasure!

I didn't expect that anyone will ever talk to me like my first pen pal wrote me.

I even woke up as early as 5am in the morning, to reply his letter, so that we could utilize every hour of the day, and make 2 cycles within the 24 hours!

I related so much since I just had a "what if" moment then and was feeling rather melancholic.

They have helped me to understand about my own cultural identity – my way of thinking, my way of life. I am a third-generation Nikkei from São Paulo.

Later on, I met three penpals who became very important in my life.