All dressed up for the workshop banquet

Yucel Ozturkoglu, Nedret Billor and Hulya Yazici reunion

New friends

Old friends

Randy and Alice at the table

Alice and Sadan are ready to celebrate

Alice and Mr. Beyti himself in our dining room with our excellent captain at the right

The workshop organizers finally get a picture together - Jan, Zeki and Alice

Gifts from Mr. Beyti including the special picture of Ataurk from his personal desk

Alice and Mr. Beyti in the inner sanctum of his private office suite - what a magnificent gentleman

The banquet at Beyti was a grand affair with tables in the most beautiful room - the Dome Room - an indoor room but with many open windows to the outside.  The foods were Beyti's best - su boregi (water borek - people were amazed at this one), salad, kofte and doner, roast lamb (my favorite meat of the night) with creamed spinach and pureed potatoes, lamb chop and a plate of three desserts - all variations on baklava and all delicious!  Wine flowed (some of the best Turkish red and white) and people enjoyed the wonderful setting, the company and the food.  Mr. Beyti, 82 years old and working at the restaurant since 1945, visited each table and greeted each guest.  He is a legend and gave us a lot of attention.  The captain and the waiters provided perfect service.  Along with the workshop attendees, Yucel Ozturkoglu (Dr. Zeki Yilmaz's daughter) and her daughter, Duru, attended with Mrs. Canan Yilmaz.  Other special guests were Mehmet and Bekercan Kirkici, late of Auburn, now of Istanbul.  Bekercan has transformed from a shy little boy to a hip dude sporting a little facial hair.  Sadly, Basar Basaran was nearly at the restaurant when a crazy Istanbul driver (well, they are all crazy) hit him and the car had to be towed.  Basar spent the evening with police reports and towing so missed the dinner. 

To cap off the night, Mr. Beyti showed me some of his favorite photos in the hall outside our dining room.  I especially admired the one of his father in a rowboat with Ataturk,  I called Sadan over and Mr. Beyti insisted that we and another attendee - Esra Buyuktahtakin - accompany him to his private office suite.  He showed us his favorite tributes and photos.  It was a moment that was unexpected and magical.  I especially admired his small photo of Ataturk on his desk - he insisted that I take it as a gift.  See the photo above for the gifts that Mr. Beyti gave me.  Sadan and I could not believe the chance to spend 30 minutes with a living history figure and to have his complete attention and hear his reminiscences.  The only downside was the buses were kept waiting (along with the workshop guests) and were late getting back to the Cinar.  Well, hopefully no one will hold it against me!