Istanbul, Turkey and travel to and arrival in Prague, Czech Republic
A very common Istanbul skyline.
Well, today I slept in a bit. It really has been a long 15 days in Turkey and well I just kind of needed a break. I did not need to check out of my hotel until noon, although they checked-in to see when I was leaving quite a few times, so decided to head to my other hotel around 1100. I knew the area well so had no issues getting to a bus stop and hopping aboard the good old 81 to the Polat. While waiting for the bus though I was joined by a very interesting Turkish man…who did not speak much English but certainly loved his booze. He was a little drunk and actually kept taking his flask out of his pocket to take another swig. I am not sure what we talked about but I do know that at one point he gave me his cell phone so I could talk to one of his friends who did speak English. When I told the guy on the phone that we were waiting for a bus, he responded “oh that’s not where he is suppose to be”. So either my friend was lost….or just in trouble with someone.
Some more random buildings in Istanbul. Didn't seem to fit in where I found them.
Anyway, I eventually did make it to my hotel and had a nice warm shower (Yes Paul, Reshmi, Monica and Sam…I am rubbing it in). I unpacked and repacked, did some laundry (because what else is a hotel bath tub for) and then headed back to the city centre. This time I took a taxi as the bus schedule is a little bit slow on Sundays and I have a lot of Turkish lira to get rid of. The plan was to visit Topaki Palace but there was a huge line at the ticket window and the one site I really wanted to see inside closed at 1500 (3pm) and I knew I would not get there in time….so instead I thought about going shopping.
The Cumhuriyet Aniti (Republic Monument) that you can find at Takism Square. It features Ataturk, his assistant and his successor Ismet Inonu and other revolutionary leaders.
I made my way to the tram and was going to head back up to Takism Square. I missed the Tram station where I could have grabbed the funicular up the hill (because I was just following Ergun the night before and wasn’t paying attention) so instead walked up the hill. So the hill was not very long…but it was very steep. I see why they built the funicular. Anyway, once up there I was attempting to find the street we were on last night but since I had no names or anything like that it was hard to get directions (no one spoke good enough English to figure out what I was talking about) so I just started walking and of course it is me so in the exact opposite direction that I should have walked….but no worries because I eventually did find it. I checked out a few stores including Nursace (because I had to) and tried on some very nice boots. I think I will be in trouble when I get to Paris. I was lucky I think because there were like 18 million people out shopping on Sunday and I really did not like the crowd so that made we not want to shop anymore. Probably a good thing….there were lots of very cute boots.
See.....I was not exaggerating when I said 18 million. This is the same street we were on the night before......but a whole lot more people today.
Anyway, on my way back to find the bus to my hotel, I happened to run into Sam, Reshmi, Monica and Paul. I guess I was not that far from the hotel they were staying at so it should not be that big of a surprise….but there are 15 million people in Istanbul so not the most probable thing ever. Anyway we hit up a café and then I headed back to my hotel. I still had things to get done before my flight on Monday.
Always important to find.
Monday rolled around and it was time to leave another country. Well, actually I got back to my hotel, fell asleep at around 2300 (11 pm) but then woke up at 0400 do finish all the things I needed to do…including write 25 postcards. I then went back to sleep at 0700, and then got up again at 0900 so that I could get to the airport in plenty of time. So I was 30 minutes behind schedule but I had built in a huge time cushion so it was ok.
Istanbul airport security throws me off a little. Everyone…..and I mean everyone has to go through full security, with x-ray machines and removing your laptops and sometimes removing your shoes…before you can even get into the airport. There is then a separate security check-point to get into the waiting lounge at your gate. Whatever.
My flight took me to Frankfurt Germany and then to Prague. Really uneventful. I slept most of the time…they fed me…it was good. On arrival in Prague I had to decide how to get to Brent’s house (Mom’s cousin who I was staying with). I had the address but had no idea where I was going to be heading so I just jumped in a cab. The driver knew where I was going and that was all that counted. The ride cost me around 575 Kc which at 15 to 1 is about 38 Canadian so once again whatever. They got me to the front door. I realize that Brent’s place is at a perfect location for someone like myself who is navigationally challenged. He is right in the middle of 2 major landmarks, Charles Bridge and The National Theatre. Even I shouldn’t have a problem getting back here.
So my plans in Prague…well see some stuff, try not to freeze and at some point meet up with Heather’s cousin Graeme who also lives in the area. It should be a fun filled few days before I head to Austria.
Julie
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