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Dear Sufi Trail friend ,
A happy life is overwhelming, especially when you are an outdoor person like us. Regeneration, gaining perspective and adding more endorphins are not just a side effect. We had the enormous privilege to meet people, and we are so grateful for everyone, hard to put this in words. This hopefully reflects in the way we try to create this space for hikers to enjoy a way-marked route. The hiking and cycling caravan is a big success. This year we are complete as it already starts this 3rd of May. This year and next year will be the last years the caravan runs, the Sufi Trail is by then established enough to just be the way to Konya where we can facilitate people who like to use our experience from the route. Happy to meet you here and who knows, we meet on the Sufi Trail.
Love,
Iris Bezuijen & Sedat Cakir
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Newsitems
- Randy kicks off Sufi Trail 2024
- David Jury
- Retrospective 2023
- Cor returns from Mecca
- Sufi Joy – tattoo by John
- Linda, From Istanbul to Yalova
- Theo, My participation in the Sufitrail 2023
- Hiking caravan 2024 complete
- Cycling caravan 2024, only one spot left
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Randy first hiker 2024 on the Sufi Trail
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From the mist in a deep knowing and conversation, we had a phone call from Randy! We were preparing for the trade fair, and then we had this mystical ring from Randy, he just as it often goes was called to the shrine of Rumi but by walking, and there he found in a few hours the Sufi Trail. He immediately bought his welcome hiking pack and went to Linda in Yalova, met Ahmet and Tuncay and is well on his way now to Mevlana Rumi. What a delightful way to start the hiking year. Thank you, Randy, we hope to hear your Sufi Trail stories along the way.
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David Jury
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We had the pleasure to have David Jury at our office in Haarlem. David is one of the early adopters of the Sufi Trail and through his visit and views, we have realised that our original intent was surely a true intent. Pilgrims to Mecca and Jerusalem, need a joint route for fraternity of religions and pilgrims of all kinds.
David was in turn inspired by Natalia Mihai, a most wonderful woman, who hiked the Sufi Trail as a whirlwind with effects that we still experience.
The very soul of the Sufi Trail is shaped by pilgrims like David Jury, Susan Khadija Elliott and Natalia Mihai. The footsteps of every pilgrim are a visible or spiritual sign for the pilgrims to come. We leave part of our soul on the trail and therefore be part of each other's lives. Sometimes by intention and sometimes by divine intervention. Thank you, David, for being part of our lives and for your wisdom on the Sufi Trail and beyond.
Davis is now in the process of finalizing his journey in the form of a book, which he hopes to print in September or October 2024. We are looking forward to receiving and reading his stories on his way from his hometown Dulverton to Jerusalem.
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Retrospective 2023, Sufi Trail Foundation
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Our curiosity challenges us again and again to delve deeper into all kinds of matters. Growth is not always progress. This is visible in the effect of the repetition. Life is ultimately anticlimactic in a physical sense. Our spirit grows and flourishes precisely because of what is not visible. This year, we have tried to create places and publications that bring us together. Common places where we can share the footsteps we may take on the earth, our hostess. This resulted in the birth of the magazine Forty. We have two for now: a first and a second edition. And believe me, we are very proud of it. With eternal thanks to so many people. Even though we also work as volunteers, we have difficulty understanding where other volunteers get the dedication, time, and energy to make everything happen. This feels like balm to our soul. A union of souls. Who and who knows, will walk the path together into the realm of souls. Like the rest of the world, we were in shock at the beginning of the year due to the earthquake in Turkey. Through film director Abdulshakoor of the documentary Nur, we heard that Şeyma AYTEMİR was camping in her car with her remaining family members. Thanks to Abdulshakoor, who is so well-versed in the social field, we took action. With the help of a fundraiser, we were able to offer Şeyma the peace to complete her final thesis on the Sufi Trail. The thesis is in the Turkish language but can be read via a translation program. In her thesis, Şeyma discusses the connections between pilgrimage and contemporary tourism and where they meet on the route. On trips to Turkey. Below is a small summary of all the route improvements we have made in 2023. It cannot be expressed in figures, but in addition, there are the pleasure, the experiences and the enormous enrichment it has brought us. - 150 km additional signposted, Sufi Trail, Turkey
- 800 walking stickers pasted, Sufi Trail, Turkey
- 1000 bicycle stickers pasted, Sufi Trail, Turkey
The walking year 2023 was all about the element water. During the Walking Caravan, we walked in the rain for 38 days. But not that this stopped us in the slightest. Bridges were built, over roads that had become rivers, and the poncho was our best friend. We dragged our unnecessary tents to Konya for 40 days without any problems. You can read all about it in the second issue of Forty. Our Jeannette has written beautiful stories about it. Our Dutch magazine VEERTIG for members holds a lovely collection of stories. In due time, they will be translated into English on our websites. Thank you to everyone who supported us in so many ways in 2023. |
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Cor returns from Mecca
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Who doesn't know him? Cor Butter from the Adelbertusakker, now many more people than before his pilgrimage to, yes, Mecca.
Cor has been walking pilgrim paths for several years and he has a beautiful red line across the map of the earth on the credential that he takes with him. All run from the Adelbertusput since 2012 intermittently, but now with a beautiful arrival point: Mecca. In his credential, Cor explains the reason for his pilgrimage: he walks for brotherhood and that this connection is important in all types of faith. The best thing is to speak to Cor at the Adelbertusakker and hear the stories first hand.
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Sufi Joy – tattoo by John
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This is really special and gives enormous joy. On a beautiful Wednesday, the time had come. John went to get his Sufi tattoo in Haarlem. Of course, we went to have a look at Mark's tattoo shop. So many beautiful pictures, all with their own story. John now has a beautiful Joy Sufi on his arm, a real place of honour. The ink print deeply impresses us. Mark also makes special colour corrections, so that it is exactly the right colour. With the bird added, the work of art is ready for departure again. So when you see John, don't forget, he is the Sufi of Joy. It is now printed in ink.
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From Istanbul to Yalova
In my previous articles I have described my personal experiences of the Sufi Trail. This time I have chosen some practical travel information for the Sufi Pilgrim from Istanbul
travels to Yalova.
For those who are not yet familiar with Turkey: it is a country full of surprises. It is a country of Go with the flow. I think that has something to do with it. I have lived there for about 24 years now and would never return to the Netherlands can get used to. We note that the journey from Istanbul to Yalova sometimes involves unexpected events. Fortunately, the Sufi Trail team always has a solution. If things don't go according to Plan A, then B, C, D... I would like to quote Rumi: “Travel, to find yourself on the edge”.
Whether you take the boat from Istanbul or come with a transfer from the airport, if you have just arrived, it takes some time to get used to the Turkish hustle and bustle. The arrival in Yalova is different Sufi Trail three routes:
By ferry from Istanbul
By bike from SAW airport
With a bus shuttle service from SAW airport
If you follow the Sufi Trail, you come from Istanbul by ferry from Yenikapı. A boat sails every two hours from morning to evening. You can purchase your ticket in advance via the IDO app with a credit card. You will then receive a QR code with which you can continue walking. You can also enter at the cash register buy a ticket at the terminal. It is good to know, especially if you arrive close to the departure time of the boat, that you first have to take a number in the terminal. In the terminal it says on the right checkout hall, a small column with a touchscreen on which you indicate where you want to go and at what time.
The Yalova boat is not the only ferry service. The ferry generally gives no surprises.
Suppose you come to cycle the Sufi Trail. As long as your plane is not delayed, everything goes smoothly according to Plan A. But charter flights from the Netherlands only arrive at SAW airport around 5:00 PM. An hour's delay could easily mean that you will, or just miss, the last boat to Yalova by bike at 8:00 PM. That's quite exciting. See you don't
is going to get it, it's time for Plan B. After all, you still have to assemble your bike, exchange money, buy a Turkish telephone card and find your way to the boat. Google maps show the route well, but the maze of Turkish roads, which are moderately or not equipped for bicycle traffic, are not as you would expect. It also gets dark much earlier here than in the Netherlands, which makes you more dependent on your GPS. Everything is really bad and that can happen, that happened to one of our cyclists in September, when his front fork was bent to such an extent that he could not cycle, there are (VIP) taxis with larger luggage space available. Then Rumi's statement: “Focus and staying at the moment” comes in handy.
Fortunately, there is a direct shuttle bus from SAW airport to Yalova every hour. I always take this myself and we also advise our hikers. A small detail is that there are no clearly visible Yalova buses at the airport. Kontur, the transport company that provides the shuttle service, does not have an agreement with the airport to pick up passengers from the shuttle stop.
How do you get a shuttle to Yalova?
You go out through the exit, cross the taxiway and take the footbridge. At the end, do not choose the exit to the parking lot, but go down the stairs. You will then arrive at the platform in front of the buses. There are men walking around shouting YALOVA, YALOVA, YALOVA. If you don't see them, you shout loudly YALOVA!? Someone will always come to you and take you to the counters, where you can pay for a ticket. And now it comes…
The man who accompanies you when buying your ticket takes you to a bus, but there is no Yalova on it. Nothing to worry about, you can just get in. You won't be kidnapped or anything... When it's time, the bus will start driving and take you to a Kontur area outside the airport. There is the Yalova
bus waiting. You change and in an hour you are at the Yalova bus terminal. This is located 6 km outside the city. You can take a taxi to your hotel or hop into a minibus at the back of the parking lot. You pay the driver in the van with Turkish cash. If you have a hotel in the center, you stay until the bus's final station. You are then barely 100m from your hotel.
I conclude with another Rumi saying: “Nobody can walk your road” and add: “Wherever it leads you.”
Love Linda.
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Theo Szarzynski, cyclingcaravan 2023
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After a number of years of beautiful rides through Western Europe, I thought it was time to take my bike a little further. Although I had done most of the trips alone and really enjoyed it, something stopped me from cycling alone through more distant countries. I had already come across the Sultans trail and the Sufi trail on the internet, but apparently it was not yet the time to take them up, partly in view of the corona issues.
At the end of 2022 I took the decision and signed up with Sedat and Iris for the group tour of the Sufi trail at the end of 2023. I met Iris at the bicycle fair in February and my enthusiasm only increased. I was curious about the experiences and adventures, but also a bit hesitant about cycling in a group for four weeks. I fell in love.
At Schiphol I met Lennie, a 73-year-old woman who had to board the plane in a wheelchair. That promised something with cycling! After landing in Istanbul I met Oliver, who was completely freaking out because his front fork was badly bent during the flight. He was riding his bicycle blind and could not be reached. That was swallowing. Three “eigenheimers” who had to work together with Sedat, Iris and Mehmet for four weeks. However, the trip taught us that three “own-heimers” can get along well with each other and appreciate each other and that the first impression is not always the best. Lennie cycled up all the mountains, like a young doe, at her own pace and sometimes via her own routes, or via the lifts she rustled. But she always made it to the top and once she got to the top, she kept going straight away, without any breaks.
The bike ride was truly fantastic and surreal at the same time. This world was so different from ours own world. At every village we drove through we had to stop to visit the “çai” tea houses to drink and we were kindly welcomed by the visitors. They were always curious where we were came from and went. There was always an exuberant farewell after an extensive tea break taken with an extensive photo session. During lunchtime there was shopping in the shops opposite bought bread, yoghurt, cheese, helwa and more in the teahouse and the tea break became one even longer lunch break.
Several times we were invited to the tea house by one of the visitors to his home to come for lunch. Here we were treated to an extensive lunch with fresh products own garden. Delicious.
We spent the night in a tent where possible. Sometimes in the playground or a park or at the mosque. But always after permission from the Mukhtar, the village head. We often came in whole small villages where there was no room for five tents. In most cases we were able to contact an address of one of the friends from the Sufitrail, but sometimes we had no place to sleep. No emergency: during a visit to a tea house and after an extensive introduction to all visitors there was always a solution. We could then sleep with people in the living room or bedroom. Once we even slept on the flat roof at 18 degrees at night. Mattress, sleeping bag and slept wonderfully. There was always a fantastic extensive Turkish breakfast with everything in the morning and some more including fries.
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Refik Şimşek - Sufi philosopher
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The farewell was always fond and with the insurmountable photos. Sedat and Iris were able to note another friend from the Sufitrail. The Sufitrail route took us through beautiful, varied landscapes, with the highlight being: literally and figuratively, the Taurus Mountains. Cycled across dry steppes with herds of sheep and their shepherds (with guns) and (occasionally aggressive) dogs. But luckily Mehmet, the dog whisperer, was always present. Over and along green hills and rocky mountains, in between orchards of all kinds, through agricultural areas and all on beautiful unpaved paths, quiet back roads and occasionally busy highways. But meeting several people is what I remember most. A great lady who received us together with a friend and their husbands on their farm. She was the Muhtar and was busy making cheese and bread from their products. It was a lively, active, chattering, cheerful lady who talked non-stop at a breakneck pace. Although I didn't understand a word, she made an overwhelming impression on me and I had to laugh just as hard as the people did it who understood it. Special lady. Another time we were welcomed by two sisters in their beautiful house. Also friends of the Sufitrail. We had just eaten and only came for a cup of tea. We were very wrong about that. Sedat and Iris tried to tell them that we had already eaten, but with a friendly tone With a smile, food was placed on the low table one after another. Whether we wanted to or not, we had to be there for some food anyway. The meeting of a large group of women was also something never to be forgotten. Firstly, it was us predicting the future with the cup of coffee we drank from. And strangely enough, it was what the forecaster said to me was spot on. Was blown away by it. The other women we're busy making beautiful bracelets. I got a beautiful bracelet for my woman and later one for my daughter from another woman. When I come again next time, then it would be my granddaughters' turn, they promised. The encounters and experiences are too many to mention. If you still enjoy reading this, go, then go to this link. You can follow all my experiences of this unforgettable day, the beautiful bike ride all our encounters with the so friendly, hospitable and generous people in an environment that makes us feel like we are in cycling paradise. Theo Szarzynski |
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Sign up for the last hiking caravan 2025
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Due to the many positive reactions, we can already confirm that the hiking caravan for 2024 is full. You can still join next year, but also this will be the last time the hiking caravan runs. After 2025 we hope that the Sufi Trail is established and well-marked for individual hikers or groups. We of course will keep the trail in maintenance and update the guidebooks. The dates for 2025 2nd of May till 12th of June Would you also like to take a walk or experience the entire 40-day feeling (or part of the Sufi Trail) along the way? Then sign up. It still seems far away, but before you know it, the seasons will fly by. The date is known, so you can consider whether it fits into your agenda. Check the website for details and last year's experiences. |
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Cyclingcaravan further to Mecca
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For the cycling caravan 2024, there is still one spot left and for the next year, you can book online. Note that 2025 is also the last change to join this event. The cycling groups are set to a limit of 8 persons. Further to Mecca, From Europe, our sister hiking and cycling organization Sultans Trail gives you an excellent connection from Vienna, Austria to Istanbul in Türkiye. You follow the traces of the Romans, Ottomans and local heroes. From Istanbul to Konya you hike and cycle on quite well-marked paths of the Sufi Trail. Sufi Trail guardians help you on your pilgrimage to Rumi. From Konya on, you follow the Mecca trail to the Syrian border, we have a GPX for Jordan and a route towards Mecca. We hope to develop this in due time. Going to Asia, you can try the lesser-developed Rumi Trail. We have a cycled GPX in Türkiye from Kilis towards Konya. Volunteers of these trails are happy to assist you where possible with your preparations. |
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Your Sufi Story
We love to hear your Sufi Trail story for the next newsletter. You can also send your Sufi (trail) related message or story. Keep it short. 300 words maximum and send it to sufitrail@gmail.com And yes we love pictures and video's ❤ We hope that you like the work of Sufi Trail. You may also consider making a donation to the Sufi Trail foundation. |
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