Rediscovering Turkey: 25 Years Later in Istanbul
Twenty-five years ago, I set foot in Turkey for the first time. What I found then—and what I still remember now—was a country defined by its warmth, generosity, and hospitality. On that first trip, two small but unforgettable encounters cemented my love for the Turkish people and their culture.
A Jewelry Shop and an Act of Trust
While wandering through Istanbul’s bustling markets, I spotted a small jewelry shop selling beautiful, authentic Turkish pieces. I decided to buy something special for my significant other, but there was one problem—my USD-to-Turkish-Lira conversion skills were nonexistent. I needed to use my credit card, which at the time was highly unusual in Turkey.
The shopkeeper didn’t hesitate. She simply left the store (and all its merchandise!) unattended while she ran from shop to shop to find a shared credit card imprinter—those old, knuckle-busting machines merchants used back in the day. For ten minutes, I stood there alone in her shop, marveling at the trust she had in me, a complete stranger. When she returned and completed the sale, I realized I had just experienced a level of faith and hospitality you’d rarely see anywhere else.
An Eight-Year-Old Guardian Angel
But the second experience was even more remarkable. After a 10-hour bus ride from Ephesus back to Istanbul, I needed to get to the airport. The problem? The bus driver didn’t speak English, and I didn’t speak Turkish. Each attempt to ask, “Which stop for the airport?” was met with mutual confusion.
Just as panic started to set in, a young girl—no more than eight years old—approached me. “Can I help?” she asked… in perfect English. I almost cried with relief. She translated my situation to her father, and after a few exchanges, she looked up at me and said the words I desperately needed to hear:
“Get off at the next stop.”
I thanked her endlessly. Before I could even sit back down, she shyly asked me a favor—“When you go back to the United States… will you be my pen pal?” Of course, I said yes. For a couple of years, we exchanged letters, and I often wonder where she is now. I hope she’s safe, happy, and still helping strangers who look just as lost as I did that day.
Returning to Istanbul
Recently, I returned to Turkey for the first time since that life-changing trip. Istanbul had changed dramatically—modernized, busier, and buzzing with energy—but one thing remained exactly the same: the kindness of the Turkish people. In just 50 hours, I was reminded of why I had fallen in love with this country decades ago.
The food that I had once struggled to enjoy as a young traveler was now a feast I couldn’t get enough of. And although my time in Istanbul was brief, I left with one resolution: the next time I return to Turkey, I’ll venture far beyond the city to explore more of this remarkable country.
A Piece of Istanbul for Home
Every trip leaves behind memories, but some places leave behind a feeling you want to hold onto forever. That’s why I love this Istanbul Mosque Travel Print. It captures the spirit of the city—the history, the beauty, and the magic that’s been pulling travelers back to Turkey for centuries.
Whether you’ve been to Istanbul or it’s still on your list, this print is a stunning reminder of why the city is one of the world’s most unforgettable destinations.
