The Straits of Bosphorus

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

After breakfast we board a public ferry ($4 round trip) and chug up the Bosphorus Strait. It's the last channel leading from the Mediterranean Sea through the Aegean Seat and the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea, where Russia and the Ukraine are pounding each other.

 The sky is bluest blue as the mosques loom overhead.

It's Turkey's national Navy Day so 15 ships - including 2 submarines - parade the harbor and the strait. The ships carry anti-aircraft guns, missile launchers, and other weapons. Troops in their uniform whites face the shore on the upper decks.

Istanbul is a city of contrasts: modern construction and existing medieval towers.

The Presidential Palace is beautiful.

The German embassy is next door.

So many armies have defended these shores in the rages of men's restless ambitions. One side of the water is called "Asia" and the other "Europe." This walled fortress was probably considered unconquerable ... until it was scaled and overrun by the next "great" army.

The span of the final bridge before the Black Sea is a wonder of engineering.

We pull in to the furthest stop at Anadolu Kavagi, where the ferry floats for 2 hours. I try fish (bluefish) and confirm that nope, I still don't like fish.

The ancient castle at the top of this port is a hiking destination. W's knee has been acting up so we stay on the shoreline.

There's a constant passage of tankers, cruise boats, private vehicles and ferries.

We reach the dock before 5:00 p.m. In one window, I spot a 6-piece dinner set, shaped into a fortress tower.

The shop windows are full of Turkish delight/s!

We learn about the Turkish economy and how hard it is for locals to make ends meet: the minimum wage is about $400US. While prices are very reasonable for us, the lira has fallen 30% against the USD and Euro in the last 6 months. Over the last 5 years, it lost 80% of its value.

We meet Talman for supper. He's an Indonesian friend from movie night and other gatherings. Our movie night family is spread around the world and many of them know each other from years ago.

We have a delightful catch-up and hand over some Bandrek (ginger drink) and ramen. Overhead, the string lights sparkle across the alleys as we return to the hotel.

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*Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”