End Travel Conflicts on a Turkish Destroyer Ship
For an exotic mix of sensuous cultures and sultry heat, I took a cruise from Istanbul, Turkey through the South Aegean Sea. My husband and I were angry with each other when we arrived in Kasadassi, Turkey. We spoke little as we exited the small ship and made our way past a Turkish destroyer ship and all of its guards. We had been in Turkey for a few days and were accustomed to seeing soldiers with machine guns guarding benign looking buildings. It was common for soldiers to force families out of their vehicles and to perform searches that our tour escort insisted was nothing to be alarmed about. Entering a port full of military vessels was not too intimidating.
My husband walked a few feet in front of me, giving us space. When I reached the guard, I asked whether we could have a tour of their vessel because my husband was a war buff. The soldier ran up the gang plank and then returned with an invitation from the captain to dine with him that evening.
Historic map of the Aegean Sea
That certainly lifted my husband’s spirits and resolved our argument – he was the one in the wrong anyway, right? We spent the day in romantic bliss. We ate at a rustic café. The food was wonderful, and Turkish meals are my favorite. When I went to the restroom, it was ironic that I had to pay because there was no back wall and several donkeys peered into the ladies room. Perhaps, the café owners were raising money to complete construction.
We strolled to the bazaar where my husband, in his jovial mood, sat in a leather chair at a leather shop, like a sultan drinking the complimentary wine, ordering the owner to shorten my skirt three times before he would purchase it. By the time he finished, the skirt was so short, two little girls giggled as I walked through the winding passages.
We discovered an isolated dock beside a restaurant. As is tradition when we travel, my husband tried to persuade me to go skinny dipping. Several men stepped out of the restaurant to watch my husband jump into the freezing water. I let my naked toe touch the tip and kept my knickers in place. No way was I going to get arrested for taking off my clothes in a Muslim country.
At the end of the day, we dressed for our coat and tie affair. We met the captain and the head officers of the Turkish destroyer ship on the deck. They served their only dish, mush with champagne. Incredibly handsome soldiers surrounded us, standing at attention beside torpedoes and other gigantic weapons. We learned much about the Turkish work force. For instance, the children take aptitude tests when they reach 14 years old. The scores are used for placing the students within their professions. Therefore, if a child is determined to be a leader, he is trained for that position; while if a child is found suitable for less prestigious work, he will never be promoted.
The Turkish culture is erotic and the styles are vivacious. Although the security is tight for the civilians, it feels safe for tourists who are willing to pay for a tourist escort or else stay within the main public destinations. Turkey is one of my top choices as an adventurous destination and ancient charm.
