by Tod Eten
‘I am sorry madam’ said the man ‘it has been like that for over a day now it is the same everywhere!’
‘But that is ridiculous’ Faith protested
‘It is no problem’ Demitri said producing a thick roll of Turkish Lira ‘how much is it?’
‘325 lira please sir’ the man replied with a smile and a small bow and Demitri started peeling off the notes and handing them it to him.
‘Thank you sir’ the man said when he had the correct amount of money.
‘What’s your name?’ Skyla who had been standing unnoticed beside Demitri asked the man.
‘My name is Onan madam’ the man said on seeing Skyla and bowed again with a big smile making Skyla giggle, ‘and what is your name young lady?’
‘My name is Skyla’
‘That is a beautiful name for a beautiful lady’ Onan said making Skyla giggle again. Onan catching Aidens eye indicated for him to follow him to end of the counter.
‘You will do as I say yes, stay in the North’ Onan asked Aiden quietly when they were alone, almost pleading.
‘Well I guess we could, I will talk to the others’ Aiden said deciding that Onan seemed trust worthy enough.
‘That is good, very good’ Onan said with some relief, ‘and do you intend to cross the Bosphorus River?’
‘Yes we might do that’ Aiden nodded.
‘They are stopping and searching all cars that cross the bridges, bad people. You must go to my brother Zafer, he has his own ferry in a town called Garipce much safer. Wait I will show you’ and Onan disappeared behind the counter reappearing a few moments later with a map that he spread out in front of Aiden.
‘Here this is Garipce’ he pointed at the map ‘and here there is a lot of history and not so many crazy people’ Onan indicated some more areas on the map. Then getting a pen out he wrote a name and address and telephone number on a piece of paper and handed it to Aiden. ‘This is my brother Zafer’s address he will look after you, here keep the map.’
‘Aiden still dug in his pocket to get some money to pay for the map.
‘No its my gift to you just promise me that if you cross the Bosphorous you go to my brother Zafer, I will tell him to look out for you yes!’ Onan said looking squarely at Aiden who nodded.
‘What about you will you be OK here you being a Christian’ Aiden asked suddenly realising that Onan may also be in some possible danger.
‘Oh me I will be OK. I know these people they are not so bad just scared I will be fine’ Onan replied not entirely convincingly.
Once aboard the minibus they set off once more past the glowering group of men and after they had left the town several miles behind them Aiden asked Aaron to pull the minibus over in a quiet spot where Aiden then told the rest of the group what Onan had said to him at the petrol station.
‘Ah but you know this is an old trick’ Demitri said when Aiden had finished ‘they always have a brother or a cousin who will do this or that for you it is how they make their money!’
‘Yes but Onan seemed genuinely worried about us’ Aiden protested
‘I like Onan, he is funny’ Skyla giggled.
‘He could be right you know’ Seth said ‘did you see the way those men were staring at us and the guard at the crossing he warned us as well’ and with that everyone started talking at once.
‘Wait please’ Demitri quietened them all ‘Aya is our guide it is she who will tell us what to do’
All eyes turned towards Aya who looked at them thinking over what had been said and then looked at Skyla thoughtfully ‘I think we should follow Onan’s advice’ Aya finally said making up her mind. With that Aiden opened up the map that Onan had given him and together with the others they plotted a route to the new destination. Their route agreed they set of once more and as the hours past by the fewer and fewer towns and villages they passed through. Soon it was only the occasional deserted village that they would pass and the travellers all started to relax once more enjoying the panorama of vibrant green forests and hills that they were driving through. They drove throughout the morning stopping for a quick break around midday and then continued on making their way directly to the small town of Garipce. The atmosphere aboard the minibus was now much improved with the initial hostility of the Turkish people at the petrol station long forgotten. By late afternoon the minibus crested a hill and there stretching out before them sparkling in the afternoon sun flowed the magnificent Bosphorus.
‘Garipce is 10 miles away’ Seth said who was now driving the minibus. Aiden took out the address that Onan had given him and looked at it once more. There in neatly written English was Onan’s brothers name, his address and telephone number and underneath a note giving them directions on how to find him which simply said follow main road through Garipce to the harbour, Zafer’s house is large white one on the right hand side.
‘Well I don’t think we will have any trouble finding his house’ Aiden said.
Garipce was the largest town, if you could call it a town, that they seen for some time now. It consisted of thirty or more houses that lined the main road. There were only a handful of locals out on the streets all of whom stopped what they were doing to stare curiously at the minibus and its occupants as they drove past. Using Onan’s instructions they followed the main road through the town and came to a small harbour and there next to the shore they found his brothers house besides which a small ferry was moored.
‘Well I guess he must be in’ Seth said pointing at the ferry as he parked up the minibus.
Everyone got off the minibus stretching their arms and legs after their long journey, looking around at the pretty little harbour that they found themselves in. The front door of Zafer’s house opened and a middle aged man who could only be Onan’s older brother such was his resemblance to Onan strode out to meet them with the same welcoming smile that Onan had had.
‘Welcome, welcome’ Zafer said ‘you must be the history people no!’
‘Yes, are you Zafer?’ Aiden answered for the group.
‘Yes that is I!’ beamed the man.
‘I am Aiden and this is the rest of our group’ Aiden said shaking the man’s hand and introducing him to the others. ‘Your brother Onan said you could take us across the river.’
‘Of course, of course, I am as you would say at your service’ Zafer smiled ‘but first please come in’ he waved them towards his front door ‘please come’ he said again as the party hesitated uncertainly.
‘Thank you Zafer’ Aya said and entered his home followed by the others.
Zafer’s home was adorned with many paintings of the Turkish country side and family photos. He ushered the group through the hall and into a large nicely furnished room that must have been the living room.
‘Please sit, sit’ Zafer indicated the comfortable looking chairs and sofas that were neatly arranged about the room. As the group seated them selves the door to the room opened once more and a small woman entered carrying a tray of small cups full of strong Turkish coffee and a plate of biscuits, following close behind her were two children who looked shyly at the strangers.
‘Ah this is my wife Esel and that is my son Zeki and my daughter Esma, please’ Zafer indicated for the travellers to help themselves to coffee and some biscuits as Esel passed the tray she was carrying in front of each of them.
‘I hope you have had a good journey’ Zafer smiled at them.
‘It has been wonderful’ Demitri answered ‘you have a beautiful country.’
‘Oh yes, yes, it is a great country’ Zafer’s smile grew even wider ‘and lots of history’ he said looking conspiratorially at them.
‘Well yes’ Aiden hesitated ‘we have not visited any of your old sites as yet. You see we all want to see the sites across the other side of the Bosphorus mainly.’
‘Oh yes, yes, very good sites over there, most impressive’ Zafer said in the same conspiratorial tone almost looking like he would give them a wink. ‘But you all look like you could do with som
e food yes?’
‘Well that is very kind of you’ Aiden said starting to feel a bit uneasy ‘but we really should not impose on you like this. If you could just take us across the Bosphorus, we will pay you of course!’
‘Impose! No don’t be silly’ Zafer said in a hurt tone, ‘you are my guests. Onan he says to me, brother look after these nice people and show them true Turkish hospitality. You see we are not all so silly as those’ Zafer waved his hand looking for the right word ‘others’ he finished.
‘But we only have a short time to see these sites’ Aiden shrugged his shoulders apologetically.
‘But you must eat with us! My wife she is already preparing a meal for you and you look like you could use a freshen up yes’ Zafer said looking at the women and children ‘please my house is your house, there are two bathrooms upstairs and lots of hot water’
‘Really Zafer you are far too kind but’ Aiden now protested.
‘No buts’ Zafer interrupted Aiden ‘you are my guests I must insist, my family honour would be at stake if you do not!’ Zafer insisted.
‘But’ Aiden said at a loss for words.
‘I think the children could use a good wash Aiden’ Bridget broke in.
‘I think we could all do with a good wash’ Faith snorted, ‘Mr Zafer I would be most grateful for a wash in some hot water it seems like I have been travelling forever.’
‘Of course, of course’ Zafer clasped his hands together in happiness. ‘Esel will show you where the bathrooms are. We have plenty of hot water and towels, Esel please can you show them to the bathrooms.’
With that all the women of the group got up as one dragging the children along with them following Esel out of the door.
‘Now please you are my guests my home is your home, would you like some more coffee or something a bit stronger yes?’ Zafer asked and seeing the smile on Seths face he took it as a yes, ‘good, good, I will be back shortly please rest yourselves’ and with that he quickly left the room.
The remaining men looked at each other in silence.
‘Well I don’t know about you but I could use a good wash myself and I had better get some things from the bus for Oleska and Ela or my life will be as you say not worth living’ Demitri said slapping his knee and standing up.
‘Good idea’ Elden and Aaron agreed and followed quickly after Demitri.
Seth looked at Aiden and shrugged ‘Well I think we could all use a break’
Aiden settled himself back in his chair the soft cushions enveloping him ‘You know I think you are right!' Aiden sighed.
Some minutes later Zafer entered with another large tray this time containing a number of bottles of wine and spirits as well as a number of glasses, which he carefully set down on a table.
‘Now what would you all like, I have wine, Raki, Scotch or coffee’ Zafer said and apart from Long who had a coffee they all had a glass of wine including Zafer who took a seat amongst them.
‘You must not as I said take offence at my countrymen’ Zafer said as he sat down, ‘as my brother told you people when they are scared they they become a bit crazy, but they are good people at heart. But now’ Zafer shrugged sadly ‘they are not so good!’
‘It is the same in our country’ Aiden said with a frown remembering the demonstration that he had witnessed. ‘But your brother Onan he told me that you are Christians’
‘Yes that is right’ Zafer answered.
‘So does that mean you will have problems as well?’ Aiden asked.
‘Well I suppose it is in Gods hands’ Zafer said trying to make light of it, ‘But Onan my brother he is very clever he will take care of himself and his family and here’ Zafer waved his hand around the room, ‘ well people are not so worried about these things I think.’
‘Onan has a family!’ Aiden exclaimed realising he had never considered this.
‘Yes yes a lovely wife and a young baby’ Zafer confirmed making Aiden fear even more for the safety of his recently gained friend. ‘Ah please don’t worry as I said Onan is a clever man he will be safe’ Zafer assured Aiden who still remained doubtful.
‘You like our wine’ Zafer said taking a long sip from his glass.
‘I have never tasted better’ Seth said smacking his lips.
‘You know they say that this was once the wine of the Gods but we stole the secret from them!’ Zafer winked.
‘I can believe that’ Seth said taking another satisfying sip. An oaky flavour with a hint of almonds and honey, lovely’ Saith said with appreciation.
‘Yes it is very good, please have some more’ Zafer said pouring more wine into Seth’s glass and topping up the others.
‘So you are historians yes?’ Zafer said changing the subject.
‘Well more enthusiasts really’ Aiden replied.
‘Enthusiasts?’ Zafer looked confused.
‘It’s like a hobby or an interest for us’ Aiden tried to explain.
‘Ah yes hobby I understand. History yes this is a good hobby. Me I have no time for hobbies, just my ferry’ Zafer shrugged, ‘But history yes that is a good hobby but there is a lot of history too much for one lifetime I think yes’
‘Oh we like mainly ancient history’ Gagan replied.
‘Yes ancient history’ Zafer said turning the phrase over in his mind, ‘but there is a lot of ancient history’ he continued with a mischievous smile.
‘Well we like the studying the oldest civilizations like the Roman Empire’ Gagan replied.
‘Ah but this is not so old’ Zafer said pulling a face.
‘Well also the Hittites, and before them the Babylonians and Sumerians as well’ Gagan said rising to the bait.
‘Ah yes the Sumerians, yes a very old people’ Zafer nodded knowledgably.
‘The first recorded civilization of man’ Gagan continued despite the warning look that Aiden was giving him which had not gone unnoticed by Zafer.
‘There is a lot of talk here about this Sumerian civilization yes!’ Zafer said, ‘many people they say that this new planet is a Sumerian planet’ Zafer said looking closely at their faces. ‘Yes many people say that these Sumerians they knew about this planet and when it would come back‘ Zafer nodded. ‘They say that the Sumerians think that when this planet returns it will be the end of the world, can you believe it!’ Zafer paused seeing the uneasy looks that passed between Aiden and the others. ‘Ah but these are just superstitions yes!’ Zafer smiled at Aiden who did his best to smile back as nonchalantly as possible. ‘Me I have no time for superstition, what time do I have for such nonsense’ Zafer pulled another face and looked thoughtful. ‘But my brother Onan he says that I should listen more carefully, that I should not dismiss what I hear so quickly. Look at the sky he says to me is there not something now there when there was nothing before’ Zafer looked up at the ceiling of the room making the other do the same. ‘I told you my brother he is very clever, yes! Very clever and when he phones me this morning you know what he tells me? He tells me about you of course and to look after you’ Zafer smiled at his guests. ‘But he also tells me that you are interested in history and Onan he says to me that maybe you will know something about what is really happening ,for why would such sensible people want to risk themselves and their children looking at old ruins today. Why do they not come back tomorrow when all is well again?’ Zafer again looked at them ‘I tell you Onan he a very clever man, me I am not so clever I just pilot a ferry back and forth every day so I do not know to be clever. So please you tell me, what is that you know about this planet that Onan seems so interested in and why you risk yourselves to be here?’
Aiden, Seth, Gagan and Long looked at each other in confusion not knowing what to say in reply to Zafer’s direct question.
‘What would you like to know Zafer?’ Aya who had slipped into the room unnoticed asked Zafer startling everyone.
‘These are strange times’ Zafer said gathering himself quickly ‘anything you know that you think is important, this I would like to know,
anything that could help us maybe understand what is happening’
‘What do you know about the Sumerian civilization?’ Aya said walking over and sitting down gracefully next to Zafer.
‘Not much I am sorry’ Zafer apologised.
‘Well they were .......’ and so Aya with the assistance of the others told Zafer about the Sumerians and the Babylonians, about the connections and predictions that seemed to be echoed in all the main religions, about the strange new planet and about the supposed end of the world. By now it had already grown dark outside and Bridget, Faith and the children had now entered the room fresh from a good wash and wearing a clean set of clothes. Aiden seeing that Zafer and Aya were now deep in conversation together decided that it was time he had a wash and got into some fresh clothes himself and making his excuses he left the room.
Once Aiden had washed and put on some clean clothes most of the group were back in the main room chatting happily together. Aya and Zafer were still deep in conversation and Demitri and Bridget had gone off to help Esel with the food. Faith and the children were playing with Zeki and Esma while the others chatted amongst themselves enjoying the drinks that Zafer had provided earlier. Aiden poured himself another wine and thought that if Aya was happy to tell Zafer what they knew then he must be OK and he did not need to worry as he had been about keeping their true destination a secret, from Zafer at least.
A short while later Demitri entered the room and told everyone the food was ready leading them all out into the garden where a long table had been set with dishes of lamb, kebabs, cheese, bread and fruit and more wine of course. It was a feast. Aiden not realising how hungry he really was ate the food with relish. The wine and the laughter flowed as everyone enjoyed the delicious meal forgetting the troubles of the world around them. For the first time since they camped in the forest in Germany it actually felt like they were on holiday. At the end of the meal as as the coffee was being brought out Aya stood up and asking for quiet, raised her glass in a toast to Zafer and his family for their kindness and hospitality to which everyone raised their glasses and then applauded the now grinning Zafer.