Travel from Istanbul to Ankara, Turkey
Well Saturday I got up..…none too early I might add and made my way to Otogar (not The Otogar....just Otogar), which is the main bus station in Istanbul. I had planned to take public transit there but the hotel suggested I take a cab instead. I am very glad I took the hotel’s suggestion as it was close to a 45 minute drive and I would have had to change buses about 3 times.
Istanbul’s bus station is very interesting. I was told that there were around 150 different bus companies, all with separate desks at the bus station. What I did not realize was that the bus station was in fact a giant strip mall and each company was it’s own store.
A look at one section of Otogar. Each sign represents a different bus company.
They say the only way to compare prices and times is to go from company to company and find the price and check out their buses. Now I am far to lazy for that so last night I got online, found 3 different companies that had English sites, compared their prices and decided I would use one of them. The first place I checked was Ulusoy. They had a bus leaving about 45 minutes after I got there. I knew the other companies I had checked would be leaving on about the same schedule and the prices were only a few lira apart so I picked that one. Of course as soon as I got out of the cab people were approaching me trying to sell their bus company to me, but I like have said before I am getting good at ignoring and the fact that I speak no turkish actually really helps as well.
I had to take a mini-bus to get to the actual bus.. The mini-bus took us through the underbelly of Otogar which is where I thought the bus was…but it wasn’t. We left Otogar and then stopped and I thought the bus was there….but it wasn’t. We then drove for about 20 minutes and then stopped at another bus station…and that is where the bus was.
Now I was told using the bus from Istanbul to Ankara is the quickest and best way to go. The trip was slated for 5.5 hours…but that of course does not count the hour it takes to get out of Istanbul but the bus is much more like a plane than a bus so it was ok. I was very glad when a nice girl who spoke English sat next to me because I learned on the bus that there were actually 3 stops in Ankara and I had no idea which one would be mine. She knew where I needed to be so I wasn't too worried I would be dropped off in the middle of nowhere. The bus has an attendant on it who checks tickets and puts coats away and hands out snacks and drinks and all that kind of stuff. They showed a couple movies and they even stopped for about 30 minutes so everyone could get off the bus, use the bathroom and get some food. It was actually the best bus ride I had ever taken.....and yes I slept a lot.
So random section of Istanbul I saw on my way out of the city.
We arrived in Ankara around 1830 (6:30pm) and I quickly realized that I was not where I thought I was (I know, whata surprise), so I hopped in a cab and gave then the name of a hotel that I thought would be easiest for the driver to know..…the Radisson. He double checked it a few times with me and then we were off. I have learned that traffic in Turkey is similar to that in Egypt so a drive is always an adventure. We did eventually make it to the hotel. The hotel was close to the hotel I would be meeting the tour group at the next day so it all worked out well.
An Ankara intersection. Don't worry, that guy didn't get hit by a car.
Sunday morning arrived and I was off to find the hotel for the start of my tour. The map told me it should have been a quick 10 minute walk...…so of course it took me almost an hour. Even with attempts to ask non- English speaking Turks directions (and they were always very helpful)…. I went the wrong way but I did eventually get there. I actually arrived close to the same time as another member of the tour group, Sam a murse (male nurse) from Montreal. Ironic because he actually stayed at the Radisson the night before too but he arrived much later than I did.
This is the Ataturk Equestrian Statue. I know I have mentioned Ataturk a few times and you might be curious who his is but I assure you I will get to that.
So the rest of the day consisted of me taking a nap, finding some cash and taking a nap before meeting with the group and the group leader around 1900 (7pm). The group for the next 15 days will be nine people (including myself) plus the tour leader and the driver. We had a quick meeting, started to meet each other, took care of some paperwork and then it was off to dinner…as a group. When we got back, we shared a bottle of wine and although it took a few moments to get it open it was great to sit around and talk. I can already tell that this trip will be great. The group consists of 5 Canadians, 3 Australians and an American. We are all close in age and seem outgoing so I feel like we shall be getting along. Our tour guide is really enthusiastic and happy that we are not a bunch of middle age women so I am sure he will have lots of things to tell us.
One of the mosques in Ankara.
So tonight I will try not to freeze in my room (the hotel situations are going to be a little touch and go I think for the next 2 weeks) and then it will be off to see more of Turkey in the morning.
Julie
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