And as a result, this Istanbul journey can only be described as truly remarkable.
Last night was a mix of marvellous coincidence and good friends. I introduced Lisen and Yakup to Hayden, the New Zealander of Zen Turkey.com, who has lived here forever. Over dinner and drinks, information was exchanged that will benefit both and I was happy. Maybe it's a kiwi thing but we love making connections, meeting new people, introducing people who can surely help each other while knowing that they will like each other too.
Dinner over, we were sitting outside in oldtown Sultanamet when Hayden's phone rang and another voice from my Istanbul past arrived amongst us.
I had twice travelled to Eceabat, on the Gallipoli Peninsula and taken the WWI tour with TJ. Like the lovely guys on Flanders Fields, there is nothing that TJ doesn't know about the Commonwealth soldiers left behind in the war.
He runs tours there and has some nice places to stay. You can find TJ's website here.
Met some Australians over breakfast ... need to go chat.
This all sounds so darned exciting that I can hardly believe it's anyone's real life! Thanks for being so open to everything and everyone and for relaying these wonders to us.
ReplyDeleteIsn't there the most wonderful serendipity in traveling and exchanges with strangers/new friends??!! xoxox
ReplyDeleteThere is, isn't there Tara. Before that 24 hour period was over, I had met all myths and legends from my Istanbul past. It's been stunning xo
ReplyDeleteLydia, your comment was caught in the backend of my blog (again?) but finally, I had time to work out why I pressed 'publish' and it didn't. Sorry about that.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you, as always for your lovely comment. It's lovely that you are interested in this crazy mixed-up life of mine. xo
Give my love to Hayden. Would love to be with you on this adventure, brings back such wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteIt was truly excellent, Jules. Seeing Hayden was a bonus that we didn't expect, imagining him in Japan :)
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