The Terrifying Taxi Ride Through Istanbul

I will let Kathy tell you most of the details when we return from Turkey.  Suffice it to say for the purposes of this  blog that my hand will be permanently scarred from where Kathy dug in as our driver played bumber cars with dozens of other vehicles and pedestrians.  I, on the other hand, thought the whole situation was very funny and I gloated at Kathy’s weakness—until one of my own was revealed.  After 15 minutes on the Taxi roller coaster I began to get car sick and then sick of being in the car and I barely held on until we stopped.  I just wanted out of that taxi and I did not care that neither Kathy nor I were certain we were anywhere near our destination.

But the real point of this illustration—besides getting your attention—is that in the first two days of our visit to Istanbul, Turkey, twice, in order to find exciting and inspiring destinations that  were not on our itinerary—Kathy had researched them on the internet—twice we had to escape the relative security of our tour group to find our own way around in a strange city.

Altogether, what great experiences these were!   We did take some risks—ask us about more of the details—but we had amazing experiences and met equally amazing people.

You may recall from other blog posts that one of my goals for this journey was to be a traveler rather than a tourist, especially to meet people along the way with whom, in our diversity, we could become friends and learn how Christians and Moslems can be brothers and sisters.  We were standing in line to buy tickets for one of the incredible sights of Istanbul, an underground cistern built in the 6^th century.  On top of the cistern still stands a sultan’s palace

Anyway, we  were in line and began a conversation with a young couple.  One thing led to another, as they always do in the Kingdom of God.  As I got to the ticket booth I knew I was supposed to buy their tickets.  So I did and I handed them their tickets and they protested strongly.  But we worked it out and agreed they would host us for coffee plus after our underground excursion.  We began a friendship that has potential to continue and talked about many of the important issues—tough questions of theology and politics-- we had come to Turkey to learn about.  Actually, I was pretty much awed by the depth of this encounter and also the fact that it happened so quickly after our arrival.  Knowing now that Mustafa was of one mind with me on the importance of building  respect among our religious traditions, I gave him one of the five COEXIST necklaces I had brought to Turkey to share with soul mates I met along the way.

(Please pardon the delay in beginning to publish this blog from
Turkey.  Severe technical difficulties had to be overcome.  I think we are now full speed ahead.  KCW)