June 9, 2016

It is Thursday night.  I have been writing the blogs on my iPhone upon returning to our room at night, usually after 10.  I have no access to the Internet because we have no connection at sea.  I write the blog in notes quickly to capture the day.  Today, in the port terminal there was a cafe with a wireless connection.  I bought a cappuccino so that I could connect to the wireless.  I quickly  uploaded the last few days of entries with no editing because I do not know when I will get a connection again.  I think the next time will be in Athens.

Today is a day that we had so looked forward to.  We spent the day in Istanbul.  It is an ancient city, once called Constantinople.  It is where East meets West. The city is very beautiful with an enchanting sea port, green trees and foliage, impressive mosques and nice people.

Doug and I took a tour with two others in an accessible van.  It was like having a private tour.  We first saw the sights in the city by van and then took a break to have Chai (tea) and Turkish cookies.  Very nice.  We then visited the Hagia Sophia.  Rick Steves' says ' it has been called the greatest house of worship in the Christian and Muslim worlds; Hagia Sophia (meaning house of the Holy Spirit) the Great Church of Constantinople.  It was built in 537 on the grandest scale possible, it was later converted to a Muslim mosque by the conquering Ottomans and now serves as Istanbul's most impressive museum."  It is truly incredible in size, age, and mosaics. It is larger than St. Peter's 

We then went to the Grand Bazarre that is famous.  I allowed myself the opportunity to haggle over prices which is really not my style, but hey you have to give it a try if you are in Istanbul.  I ended up with Doug in the doorway of a little shop about 5 feet by 5 feet, drinking Turkish tea and having table clothes and table runners displayed for me by a very convincing young man.  He must have shown me 30 cloths I made a deal, getting 2 beautiful homemade cloths. It will be a wonderful memory that will bring a smile to my face each time I think of it.

Two more disciples rest in Istanbul, Phillip of Bethsaida and James often called James the Lesser. We have now been where 8 of the 12 have preached, served, suffered and died. We are indeed walking in the steps of many who believed in Christ, in a God, more powerful, more present and more life giving then anything they had known before.  They all went on to do extraordinary things.

It really is a beautiful city. It is very green and very clean. There are 3 large bridges that remind me of the bay bridge in San Francisco. There Mosques everywhere. Twice we heard the call to prayer. 95% of Turkey is Muslim.

Returning to the ship we had a special dinner to celebrate our 21st Anniversary. The crew were delightful and charming, helping us to celebrate.

Message of the day: Tonight at our anniversary dinner, Doug and I talked about our life together. We have learned to have faith in things unseen and to trust the God who is calling to us and caring for us. Indeed calling to all, in many different languages and cultures.