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During our lay-over in the Istanbul airport the base for what the next nine days would be like was set. After an intense 9+ hours flight you would expect a bunch of crabby, tired and unapproachable travelers. Yet, that was not the case, even approaching the visa lines our group was laughing, and making the best of the foreign country we were in.
“Let me see your visa stamp.” echoed through out our group as we all compared stamps. As it turned out Turkey had a few different designs for their entry visas.
By the time we arrived in Karnack, the group that started off in NYC as strangers began to bond beyond their common photography interest.
Once we arrived at our hotel, facing the Aegean coast, we settled into our rooms, then some went off to capture the sunset while others had a leisurely Turkish coffee, or two; that led to the Turkish delight “Raki”. Once you’ve been “Raki'd” your never the same we all came to realize by the end. A small group of trouble makers began to form, as tired and jet-lagged as we were we couldn’t resist each others company.
Our day began with the ancient ruins at The Temple of Hadrian at Ephesus. We couldn’t ask for better skies or better pomegranates to pick and eat. Some had never had these juicy red berry filled fruit; the taste of which was amplified by our surroundings, especially when we sat in the ruins of the Greek amphitheater to watch Sajani, Maria & Katie perform.
Although I was still feeling the ache in my back and had difficulty walking it was not as bothersome as I thought it would be considering how much walking we were doing. The compassion and caring of the group overwhelmed me; with every other step I took, I was questioned by someone if I was okay. I knew I had made the right choice by overcoming my hesitations and making the trip.
The first day’s clear skies were put to shame by our second day’s journey to the Temple of Aphrodite in Aphrodisias. The clouds in the sky could never be re-created with Photoshop. This was a place of wonder, columns that reached to the skies, a stadium that ran as long as four football field; and the entrance to the temple that was a perfect backdrop for our group photo.
Amidst the day’s shooting we managed to squeeze in a fashion show at a leather designers company. The front row participation during the show soon turned into a modeling career’s for some. Just goes to show you, you never know what you’ll be doing on these treks. After we got briefed on the differences in leather, the “Trekker Fashion Show” began.
“What do you think about this one, what about the color? What about a different style?” One by one every woman and some men tried on different jackets. Ten purchases later, we were all back on the bus on our way to the hotel for dinner and what soon became a mini-fashion show when Shakri & Sajani got their tailored jackets delivered.
We were all apprehensive about the long bus time scheduled for the following day but it never got in the way of an evening of Darrell’s reviews. Even beginners photographers like me loved the interaction and participation of everyone. Where else can you get a vote on the most popular photograph and have a major input on your images?
The next day as we drove from one destination to the next we learned a great deal about the history of Turkey from Ali our guide. Visiting the Virgin Mary home and then the Heiropolis cemetery, surrounded by the calcium baths was a true taste of the mixture of religion, history and the natural beauty of Turkey.
No shoes are allowed in the pools of the calcium baths. So, once our bare feet endured the rough and sharp surfaces of the formations, we waited for the sunset and the striking reflections in the polls. Back at the hotel we had another wonderful dinner and some fun partying pool side with spin the bottle and truth and dare games. Then, some went to bed for a little rest and others went to the natural calcium spring baths at 12am. It was a night of fun and laughs even if it the water was a little stinky and the staff kicked us out for getting too noisy.
An entire day on the bus with only a few stops on the way sounded dreadful to everyone. Would we be able to get through the day without wanting to throw each other OFF the bus? Yet again to my surprise the hours flew by.
We began the first part of the day with photography questions from Darrell.
What are the 5 “S’s” of photography? Of course poor Darrell got harassed; no one said we weren’t a rowdy crowd; rowdy but funny.
“Do you want to hear our version of the 5 S’s or your version?” someone yelled out. The photography question & answer debates went on for a good hour but it felt like a few minutes because it was light hearted yet informative and interesting. Every question started a new debate and a new set of questions. It was too much fun.
Even our quick café stop turned out to be interesting. That’s when we found the soft skin diet of peanut brittle bars. After a few bars were consumed& many Turkish coffees we all got hustled back on the bus.
We didn’t last long on the bus before we came across the potato pickers and one and all ran off the bus with their cameras and Tri-pods in tow. What a humbling, yet wonderful experience that was. The beautiful women although working in the mud in literarily back braking labor, were happy to oblige us with smiles and posing. In turn many of us, including myself were happy to help them fill their buckets for a row or two. After that experience we all had a different appreciation for the farmers and laborers in Turkey and through out the world.
Soon after we stopped for lunch and soon after that we were back on the bus trying to make the best time to get to Cappadocia by 8 pm. The giggling and fun between everyone had taken on a whole new life by then. The front and back of the bus began competing for who was louder, and who was laughing harder and who could be heard through the noise.
Even Ali, our guide’s attempts to give us Turkish lessons turned into laughs. Songs took on a new life when “Love me… love me. Say that you’ll love me…” turned into “Ashk me… Ashk me… say that you’ll Ashk me….” or, when a sneeze was offered a “choke yourself” our laughter echoed through out the bus leaving no one immune.
The best bus feat was a brilliant game that got everyone on the bus to participate. It gave us all the opportunity to get to know one another not to mention the laughter that was invoked. The game was to tell 4 things about oneself, one of which is a lie and everyone on the bus voted to guess the lie. Sometimes, we nailed it and other times we were left Ahhing and Oowing at the duplicity and cleverness of our fellow trekkers. By the time we arrived at our hotel, we all knew very special things about one another.
Taking in Cappadocia and the beautiful volcanic formations would be our pursuit for the next few days. My favorite of all the landscapes was the sunrise shoot in the balloon; it was exhilarating to say the least. This was my first time in a balloon and it’s an experience I will always cherish, especially because I was surrounded by my friends. Afterwards, the balloon pilot informed us that we had set a record for pictures taken in the air-I believe in total we had 2,878 photos. I had even set my own record shooting 142 pictures in an hour-Wow; I thought that’s a lot of editing.
We had a quick (or not so quick) stop at a carpet company that day, were we watched the women weave and knot creating beautiful carpets. This was the place that the “New Yorkers” in all of us shone through-I’ve got places to see, people to meet & more rocks to shoot, when will this show be over?!
“Where is our pizza?” and “Can we have more Raki.” Was yelled out as we lay out on the 40+ carpets that had been displayed for us. Later that day the group went into a charming typical town and had a great opportunity to meet locals as well as photograph them.
No trip to Cappadocia would be complete without a whirling dervish show. Some of us happily went out for a night of traditional Turkish dancing, great food, great Raki and great company. Watching the dervishes was a spiritually moving and beautiful thing to see, I was happy to have witnessed it especially in the place of its origin.
Our final destination, Istanbul, was now only a short plane trip away. We all huddled in the local airport waiting to board our plane. Some of us exchanged seats, some for better sleeping accommodations and others to talkative neighbors, not-conducive to sleep. Regardless, the little shut-eye was a comfort for the few remaining days we still had would be filled with outings into a city drenched with history.
From our hotel, we overlooked the beautiful New Mosque. We where also a walking distance from the Grand Bizarre and the infamous Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia. Our visits to the local spice market and other popular locations where filled with great photo opportunities but mostly awe. For me this was the Turkey I had read about and longed to see, I was struck speechless when looking at the beautiful Arabic calligraphy and the beauty and detail of the blue and white tiles that covered most of the walls and entrance ways.
Even a rainy day, didn’t get in the way of our joy. Sitting underneath the Ottoman Palace walls singing “Rain drops keep falling on my head” was another wonderful memory that will stay with me always. The chorus lyrics “It won’t be long till happiness steps up to greet me…” never rang more true than under those stone walls that echoed back our singing.
Once we returned to the hotel I was lucky to have a Hamam scheduled with my new friend Sajani. Neither one of us had ever had this experience before. So, we giggled like little school girls when our Hamam masseuse came into the hot and steamy room wearing nothing but a sarong. Once he began the scrub and water therapy all the dust and rain from the day was luxuriously washed away. We raved and talked about our experience, convincing other trekkers to sign up for it.
Unfortunately, as time was limited our full schedule did not allow the time. But, on the last night after an impressive and enjoyable final show, a group of us went out to dinner with new friends we met from South Africa, and upon our return planned to give our friends the Hamam experience.
Sajani and I were determined which was a good thing because it took a great deal of convincing and sweet-talking for the manager to re-open the sauna rooms for us. In the end, not to toot our own horns but we did a great job re-enacting our own Hamam's for Maria & Tokyo. We all went to bed completely relaxed that night.
I was certain though that I would not be able to wake in time for the sunrise shoot re-enactment (for the few who missed the initial sun-rise shoot the day before). I had seen the photographs taken from the hotel’s rooftop and I was determined to witness it for myself.
Our early morning hustle began with an attempt at hailing a cab, when that didn’t come to fruition we jumped the fence, broke the law and went for a trip on the trolley car; a quick two stops later we where only a few blocks away full of apprehension that we were missing the sun-rise; so, we jumped in a cab to be taken merely around the corner. The elevator trip to the roof felt like a life time but once we arrived we knew it had been worth all our efforts.
Before we left the rooftop that morning, we had enjoyed the hotels coffee, a few croissants and the breathtaking view of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia silhouetted in the red, blue and yellow sunrise. We ran back in time to say our bon-voyage to the trekkers leaving. It was difficult to say goodbye to my new friends but I knew that we were destined to meet again. The new friendships that would definitely out live the few days we had in Turkey.
Every now and then we are blessed with experiences that move us and change us. I’m grateful to say that my trip to Turkey did just that for me; new friendships, extraordinary experiences and memories that will live in my heart forever. Thankfully the photographs I have will quickly bring it all back again and again… I thank you all for being a part of it; I look forward to our meeting again and again…
