Jim's Last Visit to Turkey
Jim’s last visit to Turkey
I was counting the days until Jim’s visit in April during my
spring break. He was bringing brother,
Kenny, Aunt Theresa and cousin Tina. I
was planning their stay day by day:
Turkish breakfast on the Bosporus, two days of guided tour in the old
city, Taksim Square, Galata Tower, Tulip Festival, places to eat, a food
tour. I was planning this also to be my
last good look at Istanbul before I leave in June.
Then I developed an infection, cellulitis, in my leg and
ended up in the hospital for over half their visit!
I was glad I made a plan for most of their days and Jim
proved a good Istanbul guide. I think
this is his 5th visit to Istanbul.
Every day I would WhatsApp video with them to find out about their
adventures. I finally made it home with a few more days of their visit
remaining, but I did not have the strength to tour with them. We actually rented a wheelchair so I could go
out to dinner with them one night. Jim
stayed 4 more weeks after my visitors left.
While in Istanbul, Jim got to see most of my good ENKA friends. Talie had us over for a drink one day after
school. We had a beautiful dinner with Suzanne and her boyfriend Semih
one night at a rooftop restaurant where we discovered “smoked bourbon.” It is a
delicious drink! Literally, it is poured
out of a bottle filled with smoke. We enjoyed Nepalese food with my dear Simon
on night. Jim helped me host a dinner
party before Mert and Emily’s wedding!
If Jim hadn’t come, I still may be writhing in pain when I
put on my shoes each morning. I kept
thinking I could wait until I got home to Kentucky to find out what was wrong
with me. But, I could see Jim was
worried. I was taking so much ibuprofen and still in such
misery. Because of his insistence, I saw
the doctors who helped me discover I had rheumatoid arthritis. (see previous blog) Jim helped me get prescriptions I
needed. He made a chart of what I was to
take and when. He helped me navigate my
way back to a healthy state. What a
golden guy he is. None better.
Finally, during Jim’s visit we were able to go to Kaş. When Ramadan ends there is a period of
celebration called Bayram. School was out for three days. I planned a short holiday trip for Jim and I
to the Mediterranean town of Kaş, on the southeast coast of Turkey. My plan was to get a room and just look at
the sea for three days. This is what we
did and it was perfect. I was still using
my cane for support and just starting my medications. We only walked as far as the little town
square to get something to eat each night.
The Panoramic Restaurant. We went
there two nights! Their roasted lamb one
night and grilled rockfish on another proved to be our favorite meals.
When Jim left Istanbul May 9, I had about 50 days left. Now I have about 40. I’m not counting the days before I leave
Istanbul – that is going to be bittersweet – but I am counting days until I’m
with Jim again.
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