Dogan: our new friend!

We got totally lost this morning walking to Topkapi Palace so we stopped to ask this man for directions.  Dogan is his name ("g" is silent) and he was the nicest man ever!  With very little English, Dogan personally escorted us to the bus station, BOUGHT US BUS TICKETS, put us onto the bus, and jumped off while saying, "Be safe!"  Oh wait, that sounds kinda scary now I'm re-telling this story.  Seriously, it was a very nice gesture and we were safe and sound.

During our awkward walk to the bus stop, Dogan told us that he's a painter, knows Russian, has today off from work, and used to work at the US Embassy in South Africa.  He also showed us his driver's license for the correct spelling of his name so I can find him on Facebook.  I have yet to find him on Facebook :(

Dogan's interesting career transformations reminded me of the people I met in Italy last year, specifically the guy who went from being a professor to a dentist (or was it the other way around?).  I'm so fascinated by this because my tango teacher is Turkish and he wasn't always a tango teacher, or a dancer.  I admire these European and European-influenced countries for constantly reinventing and transforming themselves; tapping into all their capabilities.

The funny part of the story is we left Dogan feeling a little saddened that we didn't get to know him better.  After a 6 hour touristy visit, we found ourselves in between the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar squinting our eyes trying to find a street sign when all of a sudden, I get a tap on my shoulder with a "Hello?  Hello!"  It was Dogan!  It was fate.  We had a nice chat and a final picture. 

It was a perfect moment in Istanbul that I will never forget.  But if I do run into Dogan again...my mom might expect grand babies.