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You Are Always in my Prayers

Turkey in Two Minutes and Twenty-six Seconds

10/22/2014

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Does our Turkish Experience Look like it is a fit for you?

Travel Book: Rick Steves Istanbul

Tour: Thirteen Day Turkish Treasures with Gate1 (our official review below)

We recently returned from the thirteen day Gate1 TurkeyTreasures Tour. Food and accommodation exceeded our expectations. The trip was informative, well planned, and provided numerous opportunities for local experiences. Gate1 was flexible to work with allowing us to extend our returning flight one week in order to spend more time in Istanbul. The Gate1 flights were booked with Turkish Air which was a real treat. This is our second Gate1 trip and we have already booked again for Cambodia/Vietnam in January. 

 VRBO Stay: As of November 2014 #1015935ha (our official review below)

What an exceptional find! Conveniently located close to buses that go basically everywhere this well equipped apartment will provide an oasis for your time in Istanbul. Is the Balet District for you? Do you think happiness smells like bread sticks pulled straight from the wood stove? Do you think shopping at local markets is an adventure--especially when the vendor takes his time to teach you how to signal half a kilo? Are you up to trying local breakfast pastries from the carts that travel down your cobble stone street? Have you ever wanted to be the only one, alone with your camera, with incredible mosaics surrounding you? Would you climb up to the top of the ancient city walls to get an incredible view of Istanbul? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you would indeed reverence the moment you are caught in the rain with one of Balet's own (in conservative dress)...she smiles at you..reaches up toward the heavens as if to tell you rain is a blessing from God...now you know you belong in Balet. Many thanks to our incredible hosts.

General Hints:

  • Launch out from the organized tour and do some things on your own
  • Use public transportation—buses, trams, funicular, ferries
  • Shop at the local markets and try the local foods
  • Hit the less traveled sites and local walking tours of Balet/Fener
  • Spice Market over the Grand Bazaar
  • Just spend time in the neighborhoods—go to Eyup!
  • Do the long cheap ferry tour of the Bosphorus
  • Our Balloon Ride was cancelled due to weather, but we totally think it would have been worth the $$
  • Check out our pics…we don’t regret anything we did

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A People of Reconciliation and Hospitality  

9/15/2014

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Picture
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing  and rightdoing there is a field. I'll meet you there. ~Rumi 

A monument in Gallipoli highlights Ataturk's famous quote that reaches out to the mothers of his former enemies (WWI), "Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives.  You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country, therefore rest in peace.There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side..."  Yes, you are reading that right--Ataturk is indeed  honouring his enemies! Offering peace to their enemies isn't a new concept here.  Pergamon, the ruins we visited today, were bequeathed to the Romans, rather than conquered, as what can be considered a strategic early peace agreement (133 BC).

This spirit that is historically rooted in reconciliation translates into exceptional hospitality as welcoming guests (strangers) into your home is considered to increase your abundance. We experienced this today as we shared an authentic Turkish meal in the private home of a family in the village of Gobller.  This was some of the best food and hospitality we have had since we came to Turkey--and that is saying something! An interesting juxtaposition was the traditional dress and wood stove against the satellite dish and large screen T.V. 

I continue to enjoy Turkish delight with breakfast. You are always in our prayers. Insha'Allah (As God wills) 
Love Mom and Dad
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    Ray & Diane
    Homewood

    Sharing the  Blessing of Travel 

      Love Mom & Dad

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