( BT ). Many years ago, after I finished working in Germany I met some lads from Bingley on the Italian/Trieste border, they were heading to India, travelling in a van with ''Elmer'' written on the side, it must have been some disco. I told them I could help them on the way, as I spoke 'Deutsch,' They made it only to Istanbul, I think they had spent too much 'boozing along the way, it was there we parted ways. I continued and made it all the length of Turkey by 'hitch hiking' and reached the Syrian border, But since the Syrians claimed Britain had helped the Israelis in the 6 day war. I could not get any further. I could not pass through Syria. I thought I could make it overland to Israel. Another hardship at that time, was in the southern port of Iskenderun, no boats were leaving for Cypress. Just as in that area of the world there was now no Greek / Turkish relationship. Which meant I had to go back to Istanbul? To Istanbul I think its like 20 hours by car? I was ok I had a note of 250 Danish Kroner on me, I kept it in my shoe. But back to Istanbul??? While walking on the way back into Turkey, what seemed like an endless forest, some American passed me in this small Fiat, he stopped, asking me where I was heading? He lived in Ankara ,and knew Turkey well, I said eventually to Israel, he suggested to me to take a flight to Cypress from some Turkish port and took me a little out of his way, all helps! Reaching some airport and now having a flight to Cypress I decided to throw all the Turkish Lira and buy a really good meal. But I forgot on leaving, you have to pay Airport tax! Oh! dear. But luckily I had all sorts of currency left over on me, which I could trade to some American service man, and Bingo I had what I wanted, that Airport Tax.