By Ingrid Dalton                                            USA                                      29.07.2026

What if you have planned for a long time a journey to an extraordinary place, a country you have dreamed of visiting and finally it has become a reality? The preparation for the trip, the anticipation for all the sightseeing, the excitement of what’s to come, and then three quarters towards your destination, the entire tour was cancelled? This happened to me recently. My destination was Egypt. A country with its ancient history and fascinating places I dreamed of exploring.

My flight was from Atlanta, Georgia, to Istanbul, and on to Cairo. Shortly after arriving in Istanbul, my travel companion, Elizabeth and I were notified by our travel agency that the U.S. State Department issued a travel ban to Egypt due to the war in Iran. We just notified our families that we arrived safely in Istanbul and awaiting our next flight to Cairo. Minutes later, we had to inform them that the entire trip was cancelled. For an odd reason, we both were calm and not at all worried about what to do next. Since we were stranded in one of the most fascinating ancient cities where part of it is built in Europe and crossing the Bosporus in Asia, we decided to stay for six days and visit some sights. For me the highlights were the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Palace and Harem and the Basilica Cistern.

Mostly, I was impressed with the Turkish people. From the hotel staff to wherever we went, the people were so friendly and kind. Since I’m a Reiki practitioner, feeling and sensing energy is an integral part of my life. Everyone or anything I come in contact with; I picked up its energy and Aura. For example, visiting the Hagia Sophia, the energy of this magnificent structure, the many people of diverse background, the men and women in prayer, the gorgeous stained-glass windows and the artful tiles on the walls, the enormous, vaulted ceilings, all these mixture of energy stirred in me emotions of reverence, peace and gratitude of being there. It was the holy month of Ramadan, and one could experience the kindness of people in the way their reveal the seriousness of their faith.

Behind the Hagia Sophia is located a beautiful park, where at sundown the believers broke their fast by gathering with family and friends, sharing their meals on the grounds like a picnic. The atmosphere when the call to prayer was announced from the minaret of the Hagia Sophia, was breathtaking, the energy of all the people gathered there was such an expression of love, peace and joy that it took my breath away. Moments like these remind me how close we are to our belief systems and as a human family. There is always hope for a better world.

Ingrid Dalton is a widow and retired. She lives with her two cats in Georgia, USA, and enjoys writing, traveling and spending time with friends and family.