Since the viral, one of the scenes of one of the web series with its epic dialogue: "Ït's my dream, not her!" I was re-eyed with a special trip more than 8 years ago, a walk to Turkey at a low cost. Really, it never crossed my mind when I could set foot on the European mainland as soon as possible. So, how is the story I have an experience of traveling to Turkey at a cost of Rp. 5 million only?
It's My Dream
Yeah,
being able to fly and take European walks became my dream of a long time
ago. Especially since I have a friend of a German consultant who often
invites me to vacation in his country. Although promised to be given a
variety of free facilities, of course I myself must have my own
provisions. Whatever the power, as an employee with a medium salary,
traveling abroad will certainly only be a wish.
Qodarullah
had long intended to carry out Umrah. At the time of registration, I
met with my friends aunt, Mrs. Ros. Who was also registering for
Umrah departure in the same month, namely January 2014.
And
the exclamation: even though he was alone, he took the Umrah package
plus Turkey. He also eagerly invited me, who was still hesitant
considering the regular Umrah fee was still new. I deposited for the down
payment; the rest of the payment I still tried to be paid and paid in
installments exactly one month before the day-H.
He
assured me that with a difference of only 5 million rupiah, at that time it
was still Rp. 9000. It feels like this opportunity is a pity for me to
miss because if it is intentioned, of course, it will not be enough to
have experience traveling to Turkey for a cost of 5 million.
It was my dream to breathe the European air materialized when it landed at Istanbul International Airport in
the city of Istanbul, the only city in the world that is on two
continents: Asia and Europe separated by the Bosphorus Strait.
Umrah Plus
Alhamdulillah,
currently the government of Saudi Arabia has opened again the
opportunity for Muslims to perform Umrah and Hajj in the midst of the
COVID-19 pandemic. Although the Umrah limit is only allowed until 30
Syawal 1443 H or May 31, 2022, because the government of Saudi Arabia
will be prepared to focus on the implementation of the 2022 Hajj
pilgrit, we can start preparing the Umrah plus plan that we will choose,
especially Umrah plus Turkey.
Is it wrong if our intention is to be juxted with ‘walking’ to Europe that seems to be a belaming our intention to worship?
The
choice of Umrah plus Turkey can be the best choice in addition to Umrah
Ramadan or Umrah plus Aqsa because Turkey is loaded with relics of
Islamic civilization. Turkey, or Constantinople, is where all relics of the Ottoman glory are located.
Historical Tour
As
part of the center of Islamic civilization, Istanbul has many
historical attractions that can be visited, one of which is Aya Shopia
or Hagia Shopia. When visiting in 2014. Hagia Shopia still serves as a
unique museum because it still displays the ornaments of mosques and
churches that have existed since the beginning because Hagia Shopia,
which originally served as a mosque, had been converted into a
church.
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| the Hagya Sophia Mosque |
Since
2020, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has again set Hagia Sophia as a
mosque that is welcomed by Muslims around the world. Hopefully one day,
Zauji and I will have the opportunity to pray in congregation there.
Most
importantly, the Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayi), which became the
residence of 24 Ottoman caliphs for 4 centuries. The palace, which was
erected on an area of almost 700,000 m2, is now used as a museum that
holds the symbol of the glory of the Ottoman caliphah and relics of the
Prophet Muhammad. This is the reason why Turkey deserves to be a
historical destination for Muslims.
In
addition to the Hagya Sophia Mosque, Turkey has many magnificent
mosques with Ottoman and Byzantine-style architecture. One of the
mosques that I visited was the Blue Mosque, located
opposite Hagya Sohpia, which became one of the main destinations of Muslim tourists.
Shopping Tour
Although
it’s not my main goal when planning Umrah plus Turkey, shopping is a
pleasure for me. With memorization, I didn’t miss the shopping tour in
every place we visited. Shopping tours can be done in the Egyptian
Bazaar, which was built in 1660.
The
name is due to the large number of spices from Egypt, although many
Turkish products and foods are also sold in this market. The typical
Turkish sweetness and keychains became cheap souvenirs that I brought
later.
Egyptian Plaza
In
addition, Grand Bazaar can be used as a shopping destination. At Grand
Bazaar, I bought a beautiful Turkish motif carpet for $50 and a
beautiful pasmina for $5.
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| Turkish Carpet |
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| Turkish Suvenirs |
It was never imagined, but alhamdulillah, finally I had experience traveling to Turkey at a cost of Rp. 5 million. Next trip, I would love to invite Zauji to enjoy another tour in Turkey, like Cappadocia. It's my dream! God willing, we can both enjoy the beauty of Constantinople.
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