Remembering pickpockets and the  kindness of adults.

Know that the Lord is God; He has made us, and nobody has managed to make themselves. We are His people. Very much like (helpless) sheep in a pasture.

Psalm 100:3 ( Sandy’s wording. We really can’t stop much when it starts!)

My in-laws moved from Yorkshire. Our boys were about nine and seven. Roy and I were tired. We wanted a break from parenting. Mom and Dad agreed to take on the routines that go with looking after children. We went to Istanbul.

The table on the uneven pavement allowed for a view of a sky line filled by the Blue Mosque and a heavy full moon. Ears , eyes, and nostrils were stimulated with all that was different. Large white plates of vegetables in the colours of cooked green, red and yellow smelling of herby stuffing and spice, carefully made,  filled us with hunger as they took up all the space on the round table. Warmth from the pavement oozed through thin open sandals. The evening was ahead in a long, uninterrupted movement of peace swirling around us and hugging us together. Gone were the routines.

Istanbul showed itself beautifully over the next few days, and soon Roy said while looking at the wide Bosphorous:

‘Let’s visit the Princess Islands!’

The tickets were soon in his shirt pocket when some youngsters pointed out that his lace was undone . He firmly placed his foot on a step. Job done!

We walked the gang plank . The ship started to move. Roy put his hand in his cotton short’s pocket. His wallet was no longer there.

Roy was not in any mind to go back. We headed for the largest of the nine islands. Pine forests and splendid Victorian mansions with white, orange, red, purple bougainvillaea draping themselves over white walls made it a place you didn’t want to leave, but we left!

Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. We got a ship, but when we got off, we were on the wrong side from where we were staying.

We sat down to talk and think. The shadows were longer. The sun was leaving a day well spent. There was someone listening to us. He came to us. He was a middle-aged Turkish man. He repeated what he had heard and then added the word. “Problem?” We said: ” Yes!”

He then said, “Follow me.” We followed.

A busy bus station was presented. Confusing and filled with voices we didn’t understand. Our kind guide found the right bus driver spoke to him gently gave him money for our bus to a new port and ship as well as money for the ticket to cross the Bosphorus.  We thanked him warmly and asked him for an address to reimburse, but no, he really didn’t want that. We were so grateful to him.

Some days later, after getting a little money from traveller’s checks, we were in Marmaras enchanted by apple tea and carpets. We bought one. How? We were told : “Phone this number when you get home and you can pay my relative.  ”

We did, and the carpet still runs from our front door to the lounge. A constant  reminder of trust and keeping ones word.

I think we may safely trust a good deal more than we do. We may waive just so much care of ourselves as we honestly bestow elsewhere.

Henry David  Thoreau

A person is already of consequence in the world when it is known that…

When this person said they knew a thing, they knew it, and when they said they would do a thing , they would do it.

Edward Bulwer- Lytton

Each week I try to add to my memories.

Thank you for reading this one.

Sandy 🙂