Day 26 – Turkey

We made it to Turkey with ease. Excellent flight and excellent airport experience. They have a newly built airport since the last time I was here over 10 years ago. The walk from the plane to the passport control went on for a long time. For those traveling with me next year to Greece and Turkey – get those good walking shoes ready.

Our driver was of good cheer and made the hour drive enjoyable. We are staying just a few blocks away from the Blue Mosque. Getting into this area of town has its twists and turns but he made it look easy. Our hotel has great welcome staff and made the kids feel at ease with good Turkish tea and cookies. After a short rest and moving through our slumber we did a mile walk through the eclectic streets before diving into a wonderful dinner. Our kids loved the flavors and fanciful dishes while people watching. No rush made for meaningful conversations. My favorite thought of the day was when Norah mentioned how small she feels when traveling so far and being immersed outside the normal of her life. That is a gift I have found time and time again with international travel and it awakens me to real life. We can get so consumed by our world that we forget all the activity and people that span this earth. When we think we are the center of the universe then everyone else gets pushed away. Watching love and laughter and movement the world over connects us more deeply. We. Need. That. Depth. We need to humbly enjoy our smallness.

We crawled into bed with barely a mutter as the jet leg has arrived. May visions of a blessed day awaken us for a full Turkey day tomorrow.