Ransom

As a continuation from last week, which was a continuation from the week prior, I have another story of lost and found for you… This week, in the Lost Property Bin, was my friend’s iPhone. I think that pretty much makes it a complete set that he has lost over the course his time overseas. So congratulations are in order.

Church in Cappadocia

It was one of those ominous days from the start, because he was woken up half an hour earlier than normal (at 04:35 am) by the call to prayer. This put him in a phenomenally bad mood. 

Wishing Tree in Cappadocia

Next, his phone fell out of his pocket in a taxi to the airport.

He realized this just as the taxi disappeared into the sunrise

The plane was boarded.

Homeless man in Istanbul

He arrived in Istanbul with no cash.

He also had no money on his credit card to get cash out.

~ I paid for his bus ticket to Taksim Square ~

~ Saint Steph saved the day ~

New Mosque, Istanbul

There he found some Wifi to use his laptop.

Which was unable to transfer money to his credit card, because he needed his phone.  

~ I leant him my phone to do this ~

~ Saint Steph saved the day ~

Turkish delight and baklava heaven

He was able to get some money out.

Our Turkish friend then rang the hotel to enquire about the phone.

Delicious spices in the Spice Bazaar

The taxi driver proceeded to hold the phone ransom for 100 TRY.

Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Which was finally retrieved, 2 days later, at the agreed ransom price.

Unfortunately, there were no exciting taxi-hold ups nor were there any exciting ransom videos where the phone was tied to a chair and the taxi driver (with a balaclava, of course) explained the terms of the deal to us. 

ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli

However, things are slowly getting more exciting (given that there was a ransom bargain involved…). 

Beach Cemetery, Gallipoli

Stay tuned for the next episode of Stupid Stuff My Friend Does While Travelling.