Heritage Homecoming

ISTANBUL, April 8, 2025 – We touched down in Istanbul and I immediately launched into what I’ll dramatically call “The great Istanbul passport dilemma.” There I was, holding my Jordanian and U.S. passports like a game show contestant who couldn’t decide which door to enter.

I’d been caught in a decision whirlwind. My parents insisted I’d need to pay an entry visa fee with my American passport, while Google boldly claimed Americans enter visa-free. Naturally, I trusted my parents over Google.

My decision-making process was further complicated by:

1. My shiny new Jordanian passport that was begging for its first stamp
2. The nagging worry that when re-entering the U.S., customs would ask where I’d been, I’d say “Turkey,” and they’d wonder why there was no Turkish stamp in my American passport
3. The awkwardness of using a different passport than my husband

Standing in the immigration line, like someone panic-ordering at a restaurant despite having studied the menu for days, I hesitantly decided on my Jordanian passport but told Nat to go ahead of me. I figured he could be my visa requirement canary in the coal mine.

Nat stepped up to the counter, and the officer barely glanced at his American passport before stamping it and waving him through. No visa fee. No questions.

My dear husband strolled a few steps ahead which put him past the “No Reentry” line, effectively abandoning me to my fate. Yes, my dramatic mindset continues.

Now it was my turn. I nervously approached, suddenly convinced my brand-new Jordanian passport looked suspiciously pristine and fake. The immigration officer gave it the same cursory glance, stamped it, and sent me on my way.

Dilemma resolved.

As I caught up with Nat, I couldn’t help teasing him. “Thanks for abandoning me back there! What if I’d been dragged away for questioning?”

He just smiled. “I had complete faith in your ability to overthink the situation.”

My brain, not content with having one unnecessary worry resolved, immediately circled back to one of my original concerns: “What if U.S. customs sees no Turkey stamp in my American passport when we return?”

This is my superpower, creating imaginary complications. Or is it just being super prepared? I’ll let you decide.