Taittinger

With flights to Iran, Iraq and Jordan all screaming “cancelled” in dark yellow at Istanbul Airport this morning, the geopolitical realities of the present were on full display. As much as I am critical of the last decades of Turkish politics, it is nevertheless impressive how much of the world that remains open for Turkish Airlines, that it is still possible to have a flight for Moscow boarding next to one for Washington D.C.

As Anna and I fly out over the Tyrrhenian Sea, a sumptuous breakfast has just been served, consisting of poached eggs with shakshouka (a long-time Rawls & Me breakfast favourite) and a glass of Taittinger, not to forget the "Exotic Bali" mocktail. Reading in my Lonely Planet guidebook and online on my phone, I am trying to make out what areas of Bogotá that are sufficiently safe for an evening stroll once we make it across the Atlantic. For now, flying a five-year old 787-9 which just returned overnight from Tashkent, Turkish Airlines certainly lives up to its reputation of bringing the world together, something that appears more urgent today than ever.