In 1994, I made an unforgettable trip and met unforgettable people. I made the trip with a friend, who would eventually become my lover. Flying to Europe, we began our trip in Athens, Greece, toured the area around Athens and then took a Mediterranean cruise of the Greek islands with a side trip to Istanbul. The islands were breathtakingly beautiful, especially Santorini. Istanbul was, at that time, the most unusual and different city I had ever visited. Two years later, I would visit St. Petersburg, Russia, when Istanbul would slip into second place. The awesomeness of Istanbul resided in its unique architecture which fascinated me. Learning of the cultural backgrounds connected with sites like the Blue Mosque and the incredible museum, Topkapi, I was even more fascinated with the influence which religion had forced upon this place. The only lasting remembrances of Istanbul reside now in my beautiful glass engraved bowl and the friends I made during that trip with Mike and Linda Scheible, marvelous friends who will always, with me, remember this trip of a lifetime.

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