Fresh home from nearly three unforgettable weeks through Turkey and Greece with our “Ancient Aegean Adventurers” (AAA) group of 16 lovely souls. While it’s impossible to share every incredible detail, some places that we visited are simply too extraordinary to leave only in my memory bank!
First, I want to say that this particular journey carried an even deeper layer of meaning. With tensions, conflict, and war erupting in the region we were traveling to just weeks before our departure, there were moments when cancelling felt like the easier choice. After weeks of thoughtful consideration, but really, mostly leaving it up to faith and trust in something greater than ourselves, the majority of our wonderful “AAA” members chose not to let fear stop us from continuing to live fully and embrace this journey within our bigger journey – Life.
I’ve always been very aware of how fortunate we are to live with the freedoms we often take for granted on a daily basis, but this experience resonated on an even deeper level, knowing that part of the unrest surrounding this region stems from people simply longing for their basic freedoms. Freedom to gather openly, express themselves, live safely, and move through life without fear or persecution for beliefs, identity, or simply being who they are.
As I sit here back at home, the conflict there still continues, and my heart remains with those longing for peace, safety, and the simple human right to live freely.
This journey reminded me once again how fortunate we are to explore the world, connect across cultures, and live with freedoms that so many people on this very same planet are still fighting for every single day. It’s heartbreaking and humbling all at once.
Which makes me even more grateful that we chose to take this trip despite the concerns and warnings of many naysayers. Now here we are, home, safe and sound, with yet another unforgettable journey for the books. Thank you God.
Oh, and what an unforgettable trip it was! From ancient wonders and breathtaking landscapes to unexpected emotional moments, this journey, as are most of our Me-Time Journeys, was truly one for the books. Thankfully, and also as usual, the Universe at large had our backs, and everything unfolded beautifully… ummm, with one exception: the weather in Turkey. The forces-that-be decided to give us an added challenge from the moment we landed in Turkey. (Thankfully, Greece made up for it!) No worries though, we went with the flow and managed it all. The only casualty? Our hot air balloon ride. A bit of a bummer, yes, but safety first, right! So we’ll simply take it as a sign that the magical land of Cappadocia is calling us back for another time. Everything else was spot-on.
Over the next, I don’t know, little while, I’d like to share some of the highlights of these places, perhaps some of the stories, and moments that left the biggest imprint on my psyche and heart. Consider this a small glimpse into an adventure thousands of years in the making.
First up- The mesmerizing Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
There are places in this world that live in your imagination for years… and then one day, you stand before them in real life. For me, that was the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
Ever since my college Art History classes, I dreamed of seeing it with my own eyes. When I finally stepped in thru her doors…wow! I had to stop to catch my breath. It was even more spectacular than the books and photographs could ever capture. The sheer scale, the history layered into every stone, the feeling of standing beneath a structure that has witnessed empires rise and fall for nearly 1,500 years… it’s almost impossible to comprehend.
Yet, alongside the awe was also a deep sadness, knowing how much this sacred place has endured through centuries of war, conquest, and religious struggle. Catching glimpses of the remaining Byzantine frescoes and mosaics hints at what once must have been magnificence beyond imagination. Thankfully, some still remain visible today, if you look carefully behind the curtains and coverings now required within the mosque. It felt less like visiting a monument and more like standing inside the complicated, beautiful, painful story of humanity itself. A moment I will never forget.
It’s truly one of those places where walking through its doors feels like passing through history itself, and something that stays with you long after you’ve stepped back out again.
Thank you Hagia Sophia for continuing to inspire awe to all who pass through your doors, may you continue to stand for many more centuries to come.