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Wednesday 18 June 2008

Where's me camera?......

David's (Authorblog) Weekend Wandering question this week is



What was your worst camera nightmare?


If you would like to join in here is what David would like you to do:


Please answer today's question on your own blog, any time until next weekend. Just link to this blog (or to this post) so I can follow the progress of the discussion.



In 1989 we went to Kusadasi in Turkey, with some friends, for a holiday. We were lucky and found an extremely friendly and helpful taxi driver who adopted us and would turn up at our apartment virtually every day, whether we’d booked him or not, to see if we needed transporting anywhere.

We booked him to take us to a particular place during the second week of our holiday, then the evening before we were due to go he came to apologise saying that he wouldn’t be able to take us as something had cropped up, but he was sending another driver who he assured us would look after us.

The new driver, a nice young man, turned up on time and took us to our destination, unfortunately it was only as he drove away that our friend discovered he’d left his camera on the dashboard of the taxi. We tried signalling and shouting but he didn’t hear us.

The following day we were in town shopping and spotted the young taxi driver from the previous evening standing with his car at the taxi rank. We headed over to him and asked about the camera but he didn’t speak English very well and gestured that he didn’t understand what we were saying. One of the older drivers, who could speak English, asked us what the problem was then starting speaking to the young driver in Turkish. Quite quickly two other drivers joined in the onslaught on the young driver until eventually he was in tears! Our friend asked what was going on and the older driver explained he had told the younger one that he must pay for the camera as it had been left in his taxi so it was his responsibility! The older driver explained to us that the younger one hadn’t noticed the camera in his car, so it had possibly been picked up by another fare. However, he said that didn’t alter the fact that the younger driver was responsible for the loss and must pay. Obviously he didn’t have that kind of money and our friend told them that it was OK he would claim it off his insurance, but it took a lot of persuading before they would let the young man go and we were convinced they were ready to lynch the poor boy. Thankfully the older drivers let the young one go by which time we were sorry we’d bothered to mention the camera at all!

The following day our ‘friendly’ driver stopped by at out apartment and was mortified that the one time he hadn’t been there for us we had lost something so valuable, he offered to pay for it out of his own pocket but of course we assured him that wasn’t necessary and thanked him for his offer.

That was our first holiday in Turkey but, because of the honesty and kindness of the people, we have spent many holidays in various resorts since the ‘worst camera nightmare’ scenario.

24 comments:

Marianne said...

Oh no! Poor man, he must have felt terrible. That's amazing they all rallied round like that. It's amazing how kind people can be.

mrsnesbitt said...

Wow!
It just goes to show the degree of integrity some walks of life will go to....
it is not every day we see these values.

Laura Jane Williams said...

I always imagine he worst in people, especially when I travel. It is a character flaw. It is nice to hear such a redeeming tale!

CG said...

What a great attitude those people have!!

TopChamp said...

that's a very nice worst story!

buffalodick said...

Glad it all worked out... Before digital cameras, I would always worry about the developing or the developer losing my film....

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

wow, what a wonderful story about people. i never imagined turks to be like this. thank you for sharing!

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxooooox

Marjolein said...

Hmm we had a different experience in Turkey, our camera got stolen in Pamukale, when my dad put it aside for a moment to tie his shoelaces.

LAC said...

Wow, I would have been mortified to lose my camera. But the drivers seem so respectful. Something you wouldn't expect.

San said...

Great story, Akelamalu. One of those small disasters that brings out the good in people and makes you feel good about being human.

Linda said...

That poor guy, I can only imagine how bad he felt that you had lost something in his taxi. That was so kind of him to offer to pay for it, too. Just goes to show that there really is good in people sometimes even though it's easier to think the worst.

Anonymous said...

I have found kind and helpful people all over the world. SOme not good, of course, but generally positive experiences. I think it has s lot to do with your own attitude.

Travis Cody said...

How awful for that young driver. And how generous of you and your party. So many tourists might have reacted differently.

But I'll bet that young man learned quite the lesson that day.

cathy said...

I also found people in Turkey to be warm and friendly but here in Greece calling someone a Turk is about the worst insult there is.

Jo Beaufoix said...

What a nightmare, but how cool that they all rallied round. I'd have been mortified for the young driver too bless him. It's good they all cared though.

x said...

i never imagined turkish people were so caring... nice story!

Kate said...

Hi - I have just called in to have a decco - lovely site! Love butterflies, great music and chat.. Bye for now Kate x.

G-Man said...

What a great story Ake!!!
Now please start thinking about your 55...OK?
xox

Akelamalu said...

People never fail to amaze me Marianne :)

No it isn't Denise, more's the pity.

Such a pleasant change isn't it GIM!

Yes indeedy CG!

LOL a nice worst story - I like it Topchamp :)

Oh yes Buff the worst scenario ever!

As everywhere else Bee there are good and bad - we happened on the good. :)

Are you sure it was a Turk Marjolein and not some other tourist?

I have to say we were surprised Star.

Although the camera was still lost it did make it better that at least they cared San.

Yes there are some good people out there Linda but we do always tend to think the worst don't we?

I agree Citizen, people do respond positively to a good attitude I find.

Well there's no point in crying over spilt milk is there Trav?

Ooops I know Cathy, that is one mistake I would never make!

We all really felt for the young driver, he was terrified Jo.

As I said there's good and bad everywhere Acey

Hi Kate thanks for dropping by and I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. :)

g-man my 55 is all ready and scheduled to post! Glad you enjoyed this post.

Mike Minzes said...

What a great story! It's amazing how different cultures work in these situations.

Ron said...

Touching story, Akelamalu!

It's funny that you mentioned Turkey, because I friend of mine in Florida was a travel agent and she always said that no matter where she ever traveled in the world...TURKEY was her favorite place to visit. She RAVED about it!

Now I can see why!

Japan is the same way!

Great post, my friend...thanks!

Unknown said...

Sounds like the taxi fraternity in Turkey are basically a group who respect justice. Neat. I do wonder what really happened to that camera.

Akelamalu said...

I guess we'll never know what happened to the camera Nick.

Akelamalu said...

We were very surprised at what happened Mike, it certainly wouldn't have happened here!

I have been to Turkey a quite a few times and always enjoyed it Ron. I would love to go to Japan - hopefully when I retire. :)