and relaxed the face while a soft blan-
ket invited a long nap along the way If
sleep did not come, there were recent
hit movies to choose from. For anyone
embarked on business, the services will
guarantee that the traveller will arrive
relaxed, rested, and ready to take on the
business part of the trip.
Another big thank you goes to Elif
Baskalayci, regional marketing and
sales representative for Turkish Airlines,
whose endless patience and under-
standing with the American journalists
was admirable. With our knowledge-
able Turkish guide, Mehmet Cetinkaya,
we visited the ancient Istanbul that was
Constantinople of legendary fame. Two
world renowned places of worship, the
Blue Mosque, built by Sultan Ahmed in
1609 during the Ottoman Empire and
still active today, and Hagia Sophia Mu-
seum, Greek Orthodox Cathedral built
in 537 and a leading example of Byzan-
tine architectural beauty, were features
of the historic tour.
The ancient city exists alongside the
bustling metropolis of Istanbul. With
all its diversity, it could be Paris, the
European city to which it has been
compared. All of us took back memo-
ries of very unique dining experiences,
shopping and sightseeing. On the sec-
ond day of our trip, we were treated
to a visit to an artist sanctuary, Cafe
Ragamedresa, where you can practice
the ancient arts of Turkey. Each of us
made a piece to take back with us if
we wished. Our dinner at Hunkar pre-
pared by the joyous chef Fred was truly
special. The fresh fish which we had at
Hunkar and on the dinner cruise was
my favorite dish. On the Bosphorous
Dinner Cruise you are able to see both
sides while sitting with your friends in a
fabulous lounge. It was a perfect setting
for the journalists to get to know each
other. The featured sight of the cruise
was the bridge that links European
Turkey to Asian Turkey. Most visitors
will be surprised to learn that Turkey,
and Istanbul, the capital, actually are
located in both Europe and Asia. Our
dinner was taken to go from the res-
taurant by the dock on the Asian side
and served to us by the friendly Storm
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