Istanbul and Ali Babba

Europe East Area is one of the two areas of the world, we were told, that still gets to hold CES and humanitarian couples training conferences once a year. We have just completed our 4 day CES conferece in Istanbul, Turkey. Both the conference and the location were terrific. Our area president Elder Wolfgang Paul and his wife came and spoke to us two days. It was inspiring and uplifting, a real 'shot in the arm' for all of us. We are ready to go back and support and strengthen the youth and young adults in Russia (and Armenia, Latvia, Lithuania andUkraine) with renewed vigor.

I think it is pretty amazing that out of the 13 couples at our conference there were 3 from Rexburg. Pretty good odds! They were Ron and Brenda Jacques, Vic and Ann Forsnes and us. But also serving in this Europe East area, although not in CES, are Dave and Connie Pincock and Max and Deanna Wade. Kenton and Marilyn Andersen in Czech Republic are in the Europe rather than the Europe East area, but are not far away. And the Crittendens and Fluckigers have returned home from this area not long ago. Have I forgotten anybody? That just seems like a lot of of folks from our little town to be here when there are so many areas to serve in. It seems that there is a lot of emphasis on this area recently. We must strengthen the pioneers here so that upon this base the church membership will explode within the next 10 or 20 years.

The Rexburg Contingent in Istanbul


Some of the couples had a long trip to get to Istanbul. The couples in the eastern part of Russia are actually closer to Rexburg than they are to Moscow or St. Pete. It was just a 3 hour flight for us. But Turkey is the spot of choice for all the conferences this year because they said it is cheaper to go there than anywhere else, such as Lithuania where we went last year.

Well, it's got my vote. It was a fantastic place to visit. We were definitely not there spending any extra time as tourists, but at the same time they arranged for us to be in a hotel right in the heart of the old city, very close to the Grand Bazaar and the most famous palace and mosques. Our flight even got us there the night before most of the others got in, so we had some extra sight-seeing time. It was amazing! Right out of Aladdin. I even bought a genie lamp. The bazaar was so fascinating. I just wish I could have bought a Turkish carpet. At least two of the couples did--for a hefty price--and had them shipped home. There were carpet shops everywhere, and belly dancing outfits and the turned up shoes with tassels on the toes and wonderful lamps, vases, leather etc. A shoppers paradise.

Shopping at the Grand Bazaar

It's spring in Turkey. The flowers in the parks and along side the roads were beautiful. It was rainy and pretty chilly our first 3 days and the people kept apologizing for the weather, but for us women who for the first time in months were liberated from our long undies, heavy tights, tall boots, hats and gloves, it felt wonderful. And the last day the sun was out and it was about 50 degrees.

Me and Ali Babba

We were told not to wear our name badges in that country or to hand out pass-along cards or to talk about the church to people there, which was rather hard for this group of dedicated missionaries. We heard the call to prayers from the minarets of the mosque five times a day although we didn't see many people actually praying. Their culture is fascinating and beautiful. We saw in the palace/museum Moses' rod with which he smote the Red Sea and Joseph of Egypt's turban. Whether you believe this or not it is so interesting to think about where the beliefs of our religions differ.

Does anyone remember the movie called Topkapi from the '60's, starring Peter Ustinov about a jewel heist? I didn't remember it until someone mentioned it, but while we were in the Topkapi palace/museum we saw an 89 carat diamond and jeweled daggers, etc. and I commented that this seemed like the perfect place for a James Bond type movie. Someone else seems to have had the same idea. :)

A guy on the street started talking to us and asked Lou how old he was and how many children he had. When we threw in the grandchildren statistics he said, "Oh, you are Ali Babba!" So with that I jumped on a magic carpet with Ali and our genie lamp and flew back home to the real world.