We're back! Istanbul is a place like no other we have ever visited and we enjoyed our ten days in Turkey very much --- with the exception of about 20 minutes. (More on that later.)
The purpose for the trip was to explore the economy, culture, businesses and nonprofit organizations
within the country with a group of graduate students, alumni and faculty from North Park University.
I will be doing quite a bit of blogging about this trip in more detail in future posts.
For now, the basic facts:
*Istanbul has a population of about 15 million people.
*Though considered a secular country, Muslims account for about 99 % of the population.
*What a history this city has: evidence all over of the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire and the Byzantine Empire.
*Water surrounds the city with the Black Sea, the Bosphorous River and the Marmara Sea.
*Temperatures at this time of year - mostly in the 40s. We had both sunny and rainy days.
*The government is known for its corruption and election results are highly discussed.
*Great cuisine! Mediterranean basics with fruits, veggies and great baked goods!
*Lovely people!
Are you senses piqued yet?
Each day brought us new delights for the senses. Then, late Tuesday night of our second week, we had a new sense to experience: tear gas. It was terrifying and horrible. We were sitting in a restaurant close to our hotel with three others from our group. There was a confrontation between the police and demonstrators (the link is available for your perusal below as to why) and the action spilled into our restaurant unexpectedly. The gas was fired from a police canister right near us and immediately made vision impossible with thick smoke. And intense burning to the eyes, breathing difficulty, and pain to the skin. Chaos. Tables were tipped over and glasses were breaking as the crowd tried to find fresh air and safety. Our group also was separated and I "lost" Wes in the scuffle. It was about the scariest time in my life thus far...and then it was over. We reunited with our group and walked back to the hotel,
grateful to be safe but still very much in a state of shock. I will never forget this experience, but am determined not to let this be a defining moment in the negative aspect of our travels.
Unfortunately, others weren't so lucky to escape unscathed.
Here's the link about the event:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/12/funeral-turkish-boy-berkin-elvan-thousands-istanbul-streets-protests-tear-gas-canister
If I would be given the question as to whether I would have cancelled the trip if I knew this was going to happen, I would say no. It's good to keep a perspective as to what others have to live with on a more regular basis, and how one should never take safety for granted!
Now, from this point forward, I will not dwell on this 20 minutes of terror, but rather the 10 days of pleasure!
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