Istanbul....the largest city in Turkey with about 14.1 million people minus tourists! The atmosphere is immediately different than the little towns we've visited up to this point. This place is hopping until 4 am every night. We travelled from Canakkale via a 3 hr bus ride through the beautiful countryside and then a fast ferry across the Dardanelles to Istanbul. When they say fast ferry...they mean FAST ferry...although I think a better name might be bumpy "bumpy ferry" or "try not to get sick ferry." Plain ole "sea sick ferry" would do as well. The boat was rocking and the water was a bit choppy so it was certainly an adventure. We were in the lower cabin and as we got into this 3 hr boat ride the place began to smell of......vomit. There was a worker walking around with bags to yes...vomit in. There were babies crying, people vomiting......let me tell you, it was a blast. Surprisingly we didn't get sea sick. There were a few times I was afraid the boat would turn over, but I didn't get sick. We played card games and listened to music soaking up our last few moments together.
Once we arrived in Istanbul, we planned to meet our host in the fish restaurant square and after asking a number of people it was MUCH further than the host said. We finally made our way to our apartment and then walked around the city, as Adam was leaving in the morning and wanted to see as much as possible. We enjoyed an absolutely delicious meal in the main square and celebrated our last night the 5 of us.
Blue Mosque
The next morning Adam and I got up early and explored the city before most things opened. It was a cool and lovely morning walking and talking around the city. We enjoyed fresh orange juice, a street pastry, and fresh roasted chestnuts, which are really good!!!!!! We walked in the park, watched the fountain, and truly enjoyed our last few hours together before he made the long trip back to America. Once our time was up he finished packing and left in a taxi for the airport. Yes, there were tears. It is never easy to separate us and this time we had literally been together 24hrs a day for a month and a half and separating was difficult. We just work better when we are together. That much time together might drive some couples nuts, and we had our moments, but we love being together. An 8 hour work day is plenty of time apart for us....haha!
I reunited with Gramma, Jan, and Ralph after Adan's departure and we enjoyed breakfast at a local place and then explored the city. The day included talking to other travelers, locals, looking through shops, and being dragged through the bazaar to 'just look' at this nice gentlemen's leather shop....yeah right! They gave us the full court press like I have never experienced and were practically shoving this lamb leather vest in Ralph's hands. It started at $180 US and by the time we left they were offering $80 US and going lower. These two gentlemen were short and sort of mean when we left without buying something. This was the first time while in Turkey I've experienced anything less than amazing hospitality. I wanted to say "and at what age do you murder these poor lambs for this ugly vest?" But that is the vegetarian/vegan in me coming out......I digress. We were pleasant and left with a smile but swore that was the last time we would follow someone to "just look."
The next day it was raining and the drop in temperature was getting to Gramma & Jan so we got the hop-on-hop-off bus of Istanbul and were freezing and wet, but it was nice to see the city. We mostly stayed in the rest of the day after a divine cup of lentil soup for lunch and I made bruschetta for dinner! Adam made it to all his flights and early Saturday morning (June 7th) I heard he made it to St.Louis safe and sound. I also get the idea that he was interrogated while getting back in the country...more stories about that to follow. Althiugh I imagine the fact that he looks like a Turk didn't help matters...haha! I hope our entrance is less hectic.
But, it was a good thing we did because it had been raining the day before and today it was sunny and nice so we got to take more pictures and actually see the city. We finally got off at the bazaar and all I can say is....."wow!" Let me explain...it was Saturday....during shopping fest.....in Istanbul, need I say more! It was nuts....I mean hang on to yourself or you will be pushed over. People were EVERYWHERE. Gramma said she understands how some people can have panic attacks. I didn't mind it so much because I expected it, but trying to keep track of 3 other traveling companions was a bit stressful. So.....after about an hour we finally made it to fresh air and recooped with ice cream! Hopped back on the bus for the second portion of the trip, had sweet corn on our way back and enjoyed the rest of the evening together.
This city has so much energy and it truly is enormous. It took us over 4 hours to see the entire city on a bus. It is huge and busy and loud. Their are parts of the city that I love...the culture, the street vendors, and people watching, but the city always makes me miss the country.
3 days down, 3 days to go, then we are off to Bulgaria.
Blessings,
Kristin Noel
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