Dear Mermaid O,
The glitter of gold jewelry in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar suddenly lost its luster as I stared in disbelief at a small TV screen. Thousands of miles from home, I watched as the world changed forever.
It was September 11, 2001, and I led a group of American farmers on a trade mission to Turkey. Little did I know that our routine trip to buy souvenirs would become a front-row seat to one of the most devastating moments in modern history.
The Day That Changed Everything
The morning, we had started like any other. As the marketing director for the Indiana Soybean Alliance, I was wrapping up a Middle Eastern Soybean Conference in Istanbul. Our group of 40 U.S. soybean farmers had spent the week meeting with 100 buyers from across the Middle East. With the conference drawing to a close, we decided to indulge in some shopping at the famous Grand Bazaar.
The narrow, winding alleys of the bazaar buzzed with activity. Vibrant carpets hung from shop entrances, the aroma of spices filled the air, and the melodic calls of merchants created a symphony of commerce. As I browsed a jewelry shop, admiring the intricate gold designs, the shopkeeper approached me with an urgency that seemed out of place in this ancient marketplace.
“What do you think? What do you think? Bomb!” he exclaimed in broken English, his eyes wide with shock and excitement. Confused by his words, I followed him to the back of the store, where a small, crackling TV set displayed an image that would be seared into my memory forever: a massive commercial airplane crashing into one of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in New York City.
Shock at the Grand Bazaar
The world seemed to stop. The bazaar’s bustling sounds faded as I struggled to comprehend what I was seeing. CNN’s commentary confirmed my worst fears – America was under attack.
My heart racing, I rushed back to find the farmers at a Turkish carpet store, tears welling in my eyes. They initially thought I had been robbed or attacked, but the truth was far more devastating. “We have to get back to the hotel,” I managed to say. “I think America has been attacked.”
As we made our way through the now surreal streets of Istanbul, the weight of the situation began to sink in. We were Americans, thousands of miles from home, watching our country face unprecedented crises.
Americans Abroad: Confusion and Fear
Back at the hotel, our American delegation gathered in a conference room, the air thick with tension. Together, we watched in stunned silence as the events unfolded on the news. The second plane hitting the other Twin Towers, the attack on the Pentagon, and the crash in Pennsylvania – each new development sent shockwaves through our group.
The farmers, usually stoic and pragmatic, were visibly shaken. Emotions ran high as we grappled with the reality of our situation: stranded on foreign soil, not with our family, with our home under attack. The weight of decision-making in this crisis felt overwhelming.
Our original plans were in shambles. We had intended to split into groups and visit Egypt and various European countries to meet with soybean customers. With U.S. airports closed and uncertainty looming, we had to reevaluate everything.
After hours of discussion and debate, we decided to cancel the Egypt trip and allow the Europe-bound group to proceed. My group would stay in Turkey to continue our market development work, as returning home was not an option for the foreseeable future.
Unexpected Kindness in Turkey
In the following days, we cautiously continued our visits with Turkish clients. Despite the chaos in the U.S., I was struck by an unexpected sense of safety in Turkey. The Turkish people, far from being hostile, showed us incredible kindness and support.
Upon learning of our predicament, one company president even offered to fly us back on his private plane. Though closed airports made this impossible, the gesture spoke volumes about the humanity that shone through in this dark time.
As we traveled through Turkey, we were met with sympathy and concern. Shopkeepers, taxi drivers, and everyday citizens expressed their condolences and offered help however they could.
The Long Wait to Return Home
For five anxious days, we remained in limbo. I called the Istanbul airport hourly, desperate to get any news of reopened airports. Our only lifeline to home was through sporadic email communications with your Papa Roger, who relayed messages to our worried families and kept us updated on the situation in the States.
The stories from home painted a picture of a nation gripped by fear and uncertainty. Roger described long lines at gas stations, with people panic-buying fuel in anticipation of potential oil shortages. The America we knew seemed to be transforming before our eyes, even as we watched from afar.
Finally, on Saturday morning, we received the news we’d been waiting for – U.S. airports were reopening, and our flight was cleared for departure. The relief was palpable as we boarded the plane, among the first Americans to return home.
Reflections on a Changed World
Looking back 23 years later, the emotions of those days in Istanbul remain vivid. The shock and sadness of 9/11 are forever intertwined with profound gratitude for the kindness we experienced in Turkey.
The world changed irrevocably on that September day. Air travel, international relations, and our sense of security were all transformed. Yet, amidst the horror and tragedy, I witnessed the best of humanity – people coming together across cultural and national boundaries to support one another in a crisis.
As we commemorate another anniversary of 9/11, I’m reminded of the resilience and unity that emerged from that dark day. The way Americans rallied together, the outpouring of support from around the world, and the courage of first responders and ordinary citizens alike – these are the enduring legacies of 9/11 that we must never forget.
In sharing this personal story, I hope to contribute to the collective memory of that pivotal moment in history. It’s a reminder that even in our darkest hours, compassion and human connection can light the way forward. As we face the challenges of today and tomorrow, may we carry with us the spirit of unity and resilience that arose from the ashes of 9/11.
Make Waves,
Grandma Jane