The Gifts of Good Luck and Love from Istanbul

I am recently returned from the beautiful, fascinating, romantic, ancient city of Istanbul, Turkey. I knew from the moment I caught the salt water smell of the Marmara Sea that I’d fall in love with the city. There’s just no way to describe what it feels like to be wandering through a city originally founded in 1000 BC and to still see parts of the original Roman wall built when the city became known as Constantinople in the 4th century AD. We also took a day trip to Ephesus — the Ephesus, as in the city of the Ephesians to whom Paul wrote a rather fine letter that you can now read in the New Testament. It’s quite good as letters go. I even saw the remains of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world — the Temple of Artemis. Even from the little that remains, you can tell from the site that the temple would have been HUGE and impressive even under today’s standards.

Beyond the historical aspects of the city, the energy and style that Istanbul exudes makes it worth the trip. Around every cobble stoned corner is a chic restaurant boasting an impressive wine list; a local eatery with customers stuffed with pita, eggplant, lamb, and Turkish delight; a shopping bazaar bursting with leather jackets, handmade and painted pottery, “Turkish eye” good luck charms, and gorgeous glass lamps; a well-designed museum; an eye-popping mosque or church. The Hagia Sophia is one of the most beautiful, well-preserved treasures of a church/mosque that I’ve ever seen … and I’ve seen quite a few religious buildings around the world. The people are also full of warmth and hospitality and they LOVE to negotiate. My kind of people! Before every business negotiation/transaction, you must enjoy a cup of tea or coffee together. It’s just the way things are done. I was even given two gifts from different vendors – the man who sold my parents a gorgeous Turkish rug gave me a bracelet and charm with the famous Turkish eye for protection against bad luck and evil spirits, and the man who sold me two pieces of jewelry gave me a necklace with the figure of Eros/Cupid. Gifts of good luck and love — maybe the two will come together for me someday.

(Pictures are coming soon to my Flickr site but just a reminder – you need to be my Flickr friend to see photos of me and my parents so send me a friend request! Otherwise, you can just see the pretty scenery photos.)

Already, I’m looking forward to my next trip to Turkey! The haunting singing of the adhan, or Muslim call to prayer, still echoes in my mind and the exotic mix of spicy smells from the street vendors still clings to my clothes. For those of you who might be hesitant to visit, I’d urge you to put aside any preconceived notions you have of this Muslim country. It is as modern, vibrant and exciting as any other European or American city and you’ll fall in love with it as quickly as I did.

 

Aya Sofya here I come!

In the Athens airport, awaiting my flight to Istanbul!

Why am I going to Istanbul? In addition to it being a kickass city (or so I’m told), it’s all because of my crazy family. My parents are not happy that they haven’t seen me since January, so the original idea was that I’d hop a plane to London for a long weekend to visit. Except that when we tried to pick a weekend, our schedules weren’t aligning. Finally, after a week of back and forth, my dad says, “Well, Mom and I will be in Istanbul at the end of May. Why don’t you just meet us there?”

And so, since Istanbul become more convenient than London, and flight prices were comparable, here I am! Although there’s a direct flight on Turkish Air from Joburg to Istanbul, it doesn’t fly every day and of course, I’m returning on a day that it doesn’t fly. The bad news is an extra connection (therefore, longer flight) through Athens. The good news is that I experienced a new airline — Olympic Air, the national Greek air carrier. Despite its grandiose name, it hasn’t been all that special. So far, my passport had to be taken “upstairs” (wherever that is) for inspection and approval in the Jozi airport and my contact lens solution was confiscated in Athens. An auspicious beginning!