I had the opportunity to take a trip to Turkey as the guest of Pacifica Institute this past June. The purpose of the trip was to develop a better understanding of cultures and establish friendships among diverse members of our society by visiting one of the most diverse and history-rich countries in the world, Turkey.
I have never been across the Atlantic Ocean before and I was excited about the trip. We flew from San Francisco to New York, and then on to Istanbul arriving late in the afternoon of the next day! After getting our visas at the Istanbul Airport and picking up our luggage, we headed to our hotel, freshened up, and went off to dinner and our tour began.
Over our first two days we toured in Istanbul. We were also treated to a boat ride on the Bosporus. Istanbul surrounds the waters of the Bosporus, as we were on the water it reminded me of being on the San Francisco Bay. There is a bridge crossing the water that is a span bridge like the Golden Gate Bridge, only painted gray. At night it lights up all in one color and then fades into another. There were no sail boats on the water, but lots of cruise ships. I have since learned that because of the strong currents, it is not advisable to sail on the Bosporus!
Of course we ate. One of the Pacifica Institute guides who accompanied us took us to her parent.s home, giving us an inside look at how they live. And the food just kept coming: soup, salad, main dishes, with tea and dessert. As we left, we each received a small dish with a piece of candy in it. They even had international phone cards for us to use to call our families at home.
We flew from Istanbul to Izmir and drove to Ephesus. Legend says the Hilt was the last place of stay of Maiden Maria and Apostle John. When we left here we went to a ceramic store where we were treated to a tour and demonstration of how the ceramics were made. The clay they used was from the area, not as heavy as pottery, nor as light as porcelain, but beautiful work was done. I found a small goblet that had a very distinct pattern hand painted on it, and was told that it represented protection. I purchased the goblet to use as a blessing vessel and used it for the first time when I ordained four new ministers this July after returning home.
We were taken to the House of the Virgin Mary which is believed to be where Mary spent the last of her days. The house has been rebuilt but the footprint remains the same. I lit a candle for peace on the patio area and I was able to fill my water bottle with water from the spring and bring it home inside my suitcase to use for blessings.
Our hotel room overlooked the Mediterranean in Alanya. Surrounded by palm trees and fountains, this area reminded me of the southern California area with weather to match.
In Nigde, we went to the Sungurbey Primary School and were entertained by the children who folk danced for us. Again there was plentiful food, and a demonstration of water painting: the water is treated with additives, then paint is dropped on the water and with different metal tongs flowers are drawn. At the end of the evening we were all presented with water flower paintings and fireworks were set off along with confetti. Then we were taken by car to homes to stay for the evening. I was at the home of a family whose daughter attends the school. I was gifted with an ornate Turkish coffee set and a beautiful silk scarf that had small flowers crocheted all around the edges. The next morning we all gathered for breakfast and what a feast that was. Across from me was a woman who had a beautiful ring on her hand. I had not noticed any of the women wearing jewelry and this ring had really caught my eye. Through our interpreter I commented that it was quite beautiful; she thanked me and also commented on my ring, which I then took off and handed to her. When she started to give it back to me, I told her to keep it, as by giving it to her a part of me would remain in Turkey. A short time later, she presented me with a turquoise ring that the women make as a fundraiser. The wording on the stone translates to “Don’t Gossip, Don’t Lose”. As I understand the translation and the belief behind it is, when you gossip you lose face.
Cappadocia, the Nome Valley, underground cities, and fairy chimneys – I have to say I believed that the fairies lived in Gardens, but it is said they live in these naturally formed stones. As a believer in Fairies, I will not disagree. We went back to Istanbul before we headed home, and made it to the Grand Bazaar. As a shopper I was in heaven! It’s a huge place and just as magical as I believed it would be. I did purchase a ring to remind me of where I had been.
I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to travel to Turkey. I left a part of my heart there. I have such wonderful memories of the people I met. The children have lights in their eyes, they are just beautiful. I have also been asked what do I miss now that I am home, and I have answered: hearing the daily call to prayer. Every time I heard it throughout the day I would vibrate and feel a calmness come over me. I got to thinking that as a child we lived in Berkeley and I would hear the campanile ring during the day, and often on Sunday would hear the church bells ring. I do not hear that where I am anymore, and I realized that I miss it. It was like a toning for me, a centering that I had been missing.
This trip broadened my understanding of the culture of the Turkish people.
I had been told before I left on this trip I would not come back the same person, and that is true. I believe I have a much better personal understanding of some of the many pathways to the Light. We each travel at our own speed along these paths, and all of us have the support we need wherever we are in the world. It may not always be the same as here at home, but it is there. I was continually given the opportunity to center myself and know that Spirit was with me. The people I came in contact with constantly reminded me how much we all have in common.
by Reverend Sandy Clark, President, Universal Church of the Master