You Must Pay the Rent

Ok, today we are going to pay the rent.  After all it is an essential part of the duties of a responsible missionary to stay current on all financial obligations.  And, of course we do not want to be put out on the streets of Istanbul.

Phase one was put in place before we ever left the good old United States.  We set up an automatic payment to have our obligations sent to the Church each month.  This was the instruction and as far as we know, this happens monthly as planned.  At least our bank account gets lower every month so it is going somewhere.

We were given a JP Morgan Chase Visa card that is replenished each month for our payment of the rent.  So ok here we go.

Get up early enough to be at the bank when it opens so that you minimize the wait in line to pay.  The later in the day the longer the line.  Besides you may find the Paramatik out of money.  (ATM without funds).  Remember you will be paying in cash.  This is a cash society and there are ATMs about every other building.

Ok now you have to go to at least two different machines and do it fast enough that the first cash withdrawal is not transacted.  Then you hurry to the next set of Paramatiks and hope you can with draw the rest of the money you need.  Of course if you start a couple of days early, you can build up your cash because you can withdraw a maximum each day.  I like the withdrawal game so I try to beat the electronic brain.
Now you walk about a mile to catch the metro.

No need to rush.  The metro is already here and it is full to overflow so you will have to wait for another train in about 4 minutes and hope you can get on that one.  Sometimes you have to wait a couple of times cause you just cannot get in with out pushing someone else out.

Then it is a short ride from Sisli to Gayretteppe.  Then you walk about another mile to the Garanti Bank to pay the rent.  Of course you have to take a number and wait your turn, usually not more that about 10 people ahead of you cause if you actually bank here you get to go to the window ahead of all the other people who are just here to pay bills.  You just never know.

Now comes the real adventure.  You show last months receipt and do your best to talk Turkish and get the young attendant to guess why you are actually here.  Today you do not have the exact amount 2970 TL so you hand her 3000 TL.  Big mistake, that will keep the attendant confused.  Now you have to figure out how to tell her you just want to pay what is due.  She seems surprised that you do not want to apply the additional 30 TL towards next month and you have to convince her in Turkish that you are serious.  Then she wants your passport for the records, but you can not give it to her because the rental agreement is still in the Canfield's name so you tell her you forgot your passport and with support form another young lady she finally gives you your receipt and change and you leave.
You are not done.
You walk about a half mile and risk your life crossing the street to catch a bus, but you are lucky crowds are light.

Now you wait for a bus toward Taksim.  Lucky day only about 6 buses before your chosen destination bus arrives.  Just a 15 minute ride to Harbiye and then you have to cross the street again.  Remember no one obeys the rules and motorcycles can drive on the wrong side of the road or even the sidewalk if they choose.  But hey who wants to live forever.

Now you go into the Garanti Bank, yes I know, you just went into one of those a few minutes ago, but this is a different branch and this is the one that takes your monthly rental fee for building services.  You have no clue what this is actually for, but it is part of the rental agreement.  Now the whole event repeats only you just have to pay the 635 TL, but oh yea, they will add another 5 TL and not give you a receipt for more than 635 TL.  Again you have to wait, pay, argue, explain, and remember do not bring your passport so you do not have to lie.  I really do not have my passport with me, but hey, they finally give in and I am complete with the payments.  Now just a quick walk, about a mile in the other direction and I am back with my lovely companion.  Only about 2 hours on a good day, I am lucky today is a good day.  Hey I even got a seat on the bus about half way to the final stop.  Of course that is because some young girl gave up her seat and insisted that an old man should sit.  At least the young people are polite.

Hope you enjoyed your morning.  Later you can pay other bills and perhaps do some shopping.