My friend introduced me to some nature lovers as I insisted on going along so badly, they agreed to meet me for their next adventure for hiking.

The day of the meeting with the hikers was an interesting day for me and I never forget how nervous I was. My friend and I went to his father's shop and had a nice cup of tea there. From there, my friend and my father and I walked a few shops further at the meeting. It was a men's barbershop! It was a funny matter for me, this was the first time in my life that I set foot in a men's barbershop.

It may not seem like much, but when female and male hairdressers are separate, it never occurs to a girl to set foot in a men's barbershop! And there is never a reason for that.

There I met several shopkeepers, relatively mature or old men, had gathered in the shop, and my friend and I, two young girls, had a strange feeling among them. Besides, they mostly spoke Turkish, and I, who knew only Persian and English, did not understand most of what they said.

My friend started talking to her fellow citizens in Turkish and I felt that she was complimenting me! Speaking about How athletic I am! And I’m a perfect teammate for their hiking group, which I didn’t see it! I was a girl among so many men and it felt strange and unsettling!

I wanted to jump in and say that I'm not that athletic. I was afraid to tell them that I had never set foot on any mountain in my life with any hiking group. At most I might have gone to several sports clubs and gyms! I did karate for a while and I swim a lot in the indoor pool and I love running! But I have never experienced hiking or mountain climbing!

I did not say a word though, maybe because I did not know what a difficult mountain awaited me, and also I did not want to miss this opportunity.

In short, they arranged for me to go hiking with them on Friday. They suggest wearing hiking boots and bring a hat and warm clothes with me!

So early morning ... very early actually that it was still dark, I accompanied them on their journey ...