PASTOR SANDRINE EATS OUT IN ISTANBUL 
by Hamlet



Pastor Sandrine and Oben walked out into the night holding hands with her
towering over him. The main street in Sulaimaniye was full of people and all
the shops bars and restaurants were open. In fact, Oben told her that they
would stay open until 4 AM or later,

This way of life suited her completely. With all thousands in pounds in tithes
she was receiving as a Pastor she was definitely planning to open a new branch
of the Jubilee Pentecostal Church and a villa in Turkey.She would own a whole
colony of slaves from her congregation as she would live in luxury and come
every winter. Her slaves would dutifully serve their Warrior Nun and Black
Scorpion and Pastor!

Oben explained to her all about the Turkish way of life and how it differed
from England. He worked as a lawyer in a small firm in the centre of Istanbul
He specialised in divorce and wills. He had been married but it had not worked
out. He had one son in England who studied at Lincoln University.

He told her seeing so much divorce had made him so unhappy. Pastor Sandrine
told him that she was also a Corrective Therapist and would help him with his
emotional problems using Corrective Therapy that too would involve him
experiencing a certain amount of pain and suffering at her hands.

He told her that because of the heat he would get up very early around 5AM or
earlier in the summer. He would be at work by 6 AM and would work right
through to 1.30 PM six days a week. He would get home about 2.30 PM and sleep
until about 6 PM.

He told her that the streets of Istanbul were deserted in the afternoon as it
was siesta time. He would take a shower and then take a walk and perhaps sit
in cafe. He would cook his evening meal about 8 PM and eat late as all Turks
did mostly around 9 PM.It it was very hot he would not cook at home but eat
out especially as it was so cheap compared to England. He said he could eat
out for the equivalent of less than �3.

On Sundays like almost all Turks he would not dream of cooking but would go to
the coast nearby and sit on the beach and eat out at one of the numerous
restaurants there.

It certainly struck her as the most idyllic life combining work and pleasure
together. She would certainly open a new Church here and be coming for more
holidays in Turkey!

They were soon outside the restaurant called Allura Kismet was one of the
first restaurants in Sulaymaniyah, established in the heart of Istanbul's
fascinating, magnetic and mysterious old town, and remained today a favourite
of travellers, tourists and locals offering a truly unique and special dining
experience.

It was close to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia and the Arista Bazaar, it
originally began in what was a family house from Ottoman times. The street
terrace and garden retreat led into ancient underground ruins where the
Byzantine Palace once presided. Drawing on the arts of traditional Ottoman and
Byzantine cooking, the restaurant added modern Turkish twists to their menu
together with some cosmopolitan favourites of modern international cuisine.

From sumptuous starters, fresh salads and vegetarian dishes to main courses
centred on succulent meats and seafood specialties, to pasta dishes, and their
finely designed puddings and desserts, all were lovingly and carefully
prepared to cater for every individual palate. It was a very smart place and
looked so spacious and clean. It certainly lived up to what she had read in
the guidebook that it had a warm ambience and was full of Turkish and
international customers.

The owner Racap came right up to them. He was a small balding man so
obsequious in her presence

'Oh, Pastor Sandrine I'm so pleased to see you. Oben is a regular customer
over here and has told me all about you! I have reserved a table especially
for you. Enjoy your meal!'

'I'm pleased to meet you too Racap. You can call me Pastor as you're not one
of my congregation yet and I'm on holiday! Now bring me my meal soon as I'm
starving!'

Oben sat us down on a table right next to the road so at least they could get
some breeze!

She looked at the menu.Oben explained to her about Turkish food.

'Sandrine we normally start with an aperitif either or wine or you could have
something non-alcoholic. Then we have a starter such as soup or some other
dish like fried octopus. Then we have a meat or fish dish. We usually finish
off with fresh fruit. We always eat with bread and salad'

'To start off if you want a non-alcoholic drink, I would recommend a Turkish
drink which is made with almonds and sugar.'

'That's fine Oben As I have only once been to a Turkish restaurant in England,
so you can order!'

'Well I would recommend we start with ipanak (spinach with pistachios) Then I
recommend we have fish as the main course since the fish they serve here is
fresh from the sea and tastes delicious. I would recommend the house specialty
I will have a fish course myself which is monk fish. You must have it next
time as it's a real Turkish speciality!'

'I would also recommend a Turkish salad that comes with every meal. It
consists of lettuce aubergines, feta cheese,okra,tomatoes , potatoes and green
peppers and is coved in olive oil like everything here.I then recommend we end
the meal with the specialty of strawberry meringue and fruit.we will be well
and truly filled by the end! '

'That will be wonderful Oben.I can't wait to eat by the ton I'm so hungry.
Unlike you I'm not used to eating at this time and I'm getting hungrier than
ever!'

The waiter arrived with her salad.It was cold and tasted gorgeous.She would
order 4 of them in the course of the evening.Oben ordered a carafe of wine.He
told her that he loved wine.She told him she was a convinced tee totaller and
would allow him to drink only 24 units a week which is 12 glasses of wine
else. Needless to say, he agreed to obey her every order.

As they were nearly finishing our meal, she was getting restless for a fight
and some action as a dedicated Warrior Nun. Oben had told her all about the
extent of crime in the area and she desperately wanted to get some exercise
fighting and see some action!

She called Racap the owner over.

'Well Racap that meal was wonderful and we're definitely coming again. I
really love Turkish food!'

'We are so honoured by your presence Pastor Sandrine! What's more you don't
have to pay anything!'

'I didn't expect to pay either' she said adopting a threatening tone in her
voice.

'In fact, where I come from in England restaurant owners pay me as a Warrior
Nun. They also pay me for the privilege of being able to eat in their
restaurants. I expect the same from you. What's more one day you may have to
pay me Homage Money too as a Warrior Nun and Black Scorpion!'

He looked at her magnificent body with awe and fear. He knew she meant exactly

what she said.

'Yes, certainly Pastor Sandrine It is a privilege and an honour for someone as
wonderful and powerful as you to set foot in my humble restaurant!'

Any comments to norselandic@hotmail.com