wonderful story; I alternated between being annoyed with you guys, then being annoyed with Faruk, then being annoyed that I was being annoyed with anything. And then so happy at the end! Btw, it is completely classic that they wouldn't have been unsettled by your lateness, and that the other guy would have presented you with lokum.
Great story! I was groped on public transport in Istanbul, so I support your choice of the taxi. It was my only negative experience in Turkey. My husband and I found the place fascinating and the people very kind.
I loved Istanbul also. One of my favorite experiences in my life, being there for a month with two friends (married) and living in a place overlooking the Bosporus. Such a wonderful place for being a local.
Your story was Farouking brilliant!
Haha, very nice!
Loved reading this! And I know the feeling so well, wanting to trust and not wanting to be conned. More often than not, trusting was the right choice.
I keep waiting to be conned but a really good con artist, but so far, they've all been waaaaay too obvious!
The best kind of travel story—characters, narrative tension, a setting with texture and color, plot twists—and a happy ending! Thanks, you two.
Hehe thank you!
what a great story!
Thank you, Tina.
wonderful story; I alternated between being annoyed with you guys, then being annoyed with Faruk, then being annoyed that I was being annoyed with anything. And then so happy at the end! Btw, it is completely classic that they wouldn't have been unsettled by your lateness, and that the other guy would have presented you with lokum.
haha thank you! a real roller coaster, I agree.
How nice to spend so much time in wonderful Istanbul, eating grapes from your balcony!
Definitely a highlight of our travels!
This one was a rollercoaster.
Ha! Thanks.
"We Rented an Apartment in Istanbul. When We Returned a Week Later to Move in, the Landlord was Gone."
Did you try looking in Constantinople?
(My apologies, I just saw a note about "Flood" by "They Might be Giants" and the synchronicity forced my hand.) https://substack.com/@retroist/note/c-256270266
LOL Seriously, that song is CONSTANTLY in your head when you're there.
Great story! I was groped on public transport in Istanbul, so I support your choice of the taxi. It was my only negative experience in Turkey. My husband and I found the place fascinating and the people very kind.
Oh, I'm sorry, that's terrible. Honestly, I think that's the ONLY taxi we took in Istanbul because the traffic is so unbelievably awful.
I loved Istanbul also. One of my favorite experiences in my life, being there for a month with two friends (married) and living in a place overlooking the Bosporus. Such a wonderful place for being a local.
So true! We loved it too.
This was good…you really had me going there. 😆
Glad everything worked out.
My husband and I fell in love with Istanbul too! It’s one of my favorite cities in the world.
Thanks! Yes, it's just fantastic, isn't it?
It so is.
This is great. My experience with Turkish folks is that they are so hospitable! We aren't used to that
We weren't prepared for that either! It really is next level.
Great read. I didn’t see the ending coming
Thank you!
this made me want to go back to Istanbul! it really is such a special city
I know. We need to go back again soon!
What a great story.
Fear of getting lost, fear of being scammed, and discovering a heart warming connection in the middle of chaos.
haha very well put!
I’m so glad this had a happy ending.
me too!