John and Tuncay reunited in 2015

2002 was our first visit to Istanbul with friends from Paris, Meri-Katherine and John Peed. Purchasing some Turkman rugs was on our agenda. When visiting the nearby Blue Mosque we ran across the rug store, Istanblue. The owner, Tuncay Gunc, was good enough to sell 4 rugs that day! He told us his story of wishing his son would go to college and not have to sell rugs for a living.

Today, 13 years later, Tuncay was amazed to find that John remembered that story. We were amazed that the story had such a happy ending!  Tungay’s son is graduating  with a Masters Degree in Architecture from Harvard University on May 28, 2015!!! The proud Dad is flying to his graduation in Boston!

We searched the Hippodrome area near the Blue  Mosque,  looking for the shop that we remembered from 2002 – something with a second floor, someplace that sold rugs. When John saw the name “Istanblue” he knew we had found that shop!!! A great surprise!!!

Memories from 2002

Tuncay gave a tour of the old shop with a new product focus – easy tourist products, no rugs. Mostly scarves and ceramics. We had great fun shopping with his help, of course! Sandy was in “scarf heaven” and John was in tourist shopping “mode”. We walked away with bags full.

Sandy was in “Scarf Heaven”