Dinner at the Kaya Family home in Eyup.

Trip Start Jul 09, 2008
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Trip End Jul 21, 2008


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Flag of Turkey  ,
Friday, July 11, 2008

The host family for tonight's dinner were delightful.  The father was Eyup Kaya. Eyup in Turkish is Job.  His father  emigrated from Macedonia. Their family had moved there from Turkey to begin with.  He owns a Mercedes Benz dealership and constructs homes.  There home was very nice but very modest by our standards.
His wife and he have 3 children, 1 boy 14 who was away at Egypt, and 2 daughters, one 18 and 1 kindergarten age.  The young girl was precious.  The 18 year old will find out her test results tomorrow on college entrance. She wants to study medicine.  She wears a head covering and will not be able to attend a state university or be on staff at a public hospitals because of it.
This family was so very gracious.  We had a very stimulating conversation before , during and after the meal.   Politics, religion, entertainment were all discussed.  The love and mutual respect within this family is so evident in their  relations with each other. 
The meal was a banquet and as we squeezed into their kitchen-dining room we ate lamb, bread, tomatoes, 2 kinds of beans, a wonderful tomato soup, melon, watermelon, potatoes and a delicious dessert.  I then  had a cup of Turkish coffee followed by Turkish tea in the living room as we continued our conversation.  The little girl sang for us a funny song about being given a shot in the butt. 
Every word had to be translated, but not every thing.  Some things came through loud and clear although only the 18 year old could speak English.  Like hospitality, the joy of a beautiful young girl, breaking bread around  a table prepared with love and care.
After saying good byes and exchanging gifts-I now have Moslem Prayer beads, we went to Piere Loti Cafe and Eyub Cemetery high on a hill overlooking the Golden Horn.  Up a tram and then up steps for an incredible night time view.
What a blessing this night has been.  Half way around the world in the home of a Muslim Family I found new friends.                                  
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