Planning for the African Caravan had been completed. It had been decided that the Caravan would travel from Cape Town to Cairo, Egypt, then through the Middle East and on to Europe.
The Middle East was intriguing. The area that had been home to ancient civilizations that flourished, rich cultural traditions with wide-rippling historical impacts, centuries of nations at war, and religions that spread all over the world. Wally Byam had brought the Caravan back into ancient times, when Egyptians, Assyrians, and Romans ruled the world.
When the Caravan reached the northern region of Asia Minor, we were ready to enter Europe.
And so it was.
When the Caravan reached the Bosporus, we had to wait to ferry across to European Turkey from Üsküdar to Istanbul. At land’s end, the Airstreams lined up, gleaming in the sunshine, waiting their turn to cross into Istanbul.
When we arrived, we were welcomed by Istanbul and the Turkish government. A traditional Janissary band and military guard were waiting to greet us.
The band played century-old marching music, typical for the elite Janissary infantry to tramp to. Their historic uniforms were insights into the 600 years of Ottoman rule and the vast empire they held throughout North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
Wally Byam, not only our leader but also a tourist at heart, is pictured above with his camera, capturing the moment before we crossed the Bosporus.
Today, there is a bridge. You can pay a toll to cross from Asia Minor into Europe in minutes without waiting for a ferry.
Everything changes with time, though of course there are exceptions. One is the camaraderie that all Airstream owners share. In an Airstream, you join the tradition of sharing friendships, travel, and good times.
