2002 - Two Groups Join Up

The Second Tour (See Slideshow)
Fourteen of us went on tour in Turkey from September 19 through October 4. We were actually there longer but in two pre-tour extensions. Half went to Merzifon, our Sister City. Read about that in John Blake's article on this web site. The other half spent three days touring Istanbul. But on the evening of the 19th we all got together to begin a tour with the long name, "Turkish Mosaic: Gallipoli, The Seven Churches of Revelation, and Cappadocia." We started out the right way...with a dinner together in a lively section of the historic part of Istanbul. Which brings me to the first subject: Turkish food.

The food in Turkey is wonderful. The Turks excel in dishes rich in texture, color, and flavor. They love to prepare large trays with a great variety and display them all on a steam table. You walk by and make your choices...and it isn't easy because everything looks so good. Primary meats: beef, lamb, chicken, fish. Every kind of veggie, but they especially like tomatoes, green beans, and eggplant. They invented kebabs served with rice and a vegetable. Ordering off a menu is possible, of course, but the most popular method of deciding upon your meal is at the steam table. What about desserts? Puddings of all kinds are a favorite as well as the very rich pastries you associate with Turkey. And delicious, fresh, and juicy vine-ripened fruits! Our tour group enjoyed good dining through out the trip!

Hotels compete for tourists in providing excellent services to their guests. Some are historic renovations of Ottoman homes, some offer fantastic locations and views, and some are five-star hotels that are luxurious. The three star hotels are a bargain and are always clean and comfortable. Our group stayed in mostly three and four star hotels and was always well cared for. We had so many very memorable hotels! For example, we stayed in a hotel carved into the volcanic rock in Cappadocia...yes, caves!...that was so unique and, with its display of antiques, such a feast to the eye that it made anything less seem just ho-hum.

Transportation in Turkey is simple...big, beautiful, air-conditioned buses. But in this part of the world there is a difference! We had a driver and he had a helper. The helper served cold drinks and hot tea (regular and apple) throughout the trip (and on the house). He refreshed you with a splash of lemon-scented lotion just when you needed it. Of course, both he and the driver took care of the luggage and in general looked after each of us. You get spoiled on a Turkish tour bus!

The people of Turkey are friendly, honest, helpful, and the world's best hosts. And I don't say that because I've never been anywhere else! Now, I thought otherwise when a taxi driver in Istanbul did a slight-of-hand number on me and ripped me off about $15 as a result. But when I talked it over with the other two members of the group in the taxi, we realized that the crook was not a Turk but an Eastern European. This bad experience was more than offset by the warm hospitality that we received again and again as we moved through the land. For example, on a dark morning on my independent trip (next section) at 5:30 am, with rain coming down and no taxi available, a young man making a bread delivery to the hotel offered to take John and me to the bus station in his bread truck. He offered to buy us breakfast on the way, delivered us to the station, stayed until he was sure we were on the correct bus, and refused to take any money for his effort! And the Turks are our best ally not only in this part of the world, but anywhere, all the way back to the Korean War.

The things to see in Turkey are splendid. This is where so much of history happened. The Biblical connections are rich, especially in the writings of Paul. This was a vibrant part of the Greco-Roman world. You know Istanbul, of course, with the Aya Sofya and the Blue Mosque and so much more. You've heard of Ephesus, which is worth a trip all by itself. And Troy is known to most everyone. But be prepared for Pergamum, Izmir, Sardis, Priene, Miletos, Didyma, Aphrodisias, Hierapolis, Laodicea, and the churches and underground cities of Cappadocia! All have the romance of ancient stones that take you back to other times. You are in a different culture, so there are mosques sounding out the call to prayer. There are the resort towns along the seashore to enjoy. And don't miss a Turkish bath...a unique experience! Have I mentioned the museums and the carpet showrooms and the leather showrooms? Each day was full of great things to see and experience!

The tour experience is one of ease and delight. Everything is ready for you when you need it...your hotel, your meals, your transportation, your ticket to whatever you are going to see next. And the expert guide becomes a friend who loves your questions and delights in showing you new things. A tour becomes a magic carpet that makes travel easy as you move along with your friends from one good thing to another. (See Slideshow)

Dick Brewer, 2002

"To support and encourage mutual visits by the citizens of both cities"