On my way to Istanbul from Brussels. Its been over three weeks since Ive been on a plane which meant having to repack bags, move the tweezers and nail scissors to check in luggage (you cant be giving the pilot a manicure midflight after all) and rearranging liquids. I have a bizzare mix of liquids in the clear bag-the guy in security gave me a weird look as I just throw everything in together.
Im using a low cost Turkish airline. So far I have managed to check in and get a boarding pass so signs are goid that the company wont go belly up in thr next few hours. Low cost airlines come and go constantly.
I was asked for directions this morning on the metro by a guy going to Midi (one of the main stations and the one I was going to in order to catch a train to the airport). After he asked me in French, and I attempted to reply in French (which with gesturing and pointing go signs worked) he asked me if I was from the Dutch/Flemish part of Belguim or French side. He asked it in French also. At that point, switched to English and explained I was from NZ. Nothing like being mistaken for a local. Turns out he was from Britain and was going back on the Eurostar, hence needing to get to Midi. Even more ironic, when I said I was on my way to Turkey that day, turns out he was born in Eastern Turkey (Kurdish part), was a professor of sociology at a university in Birmingham and wrote his PhD on Kurdish Turkey. He gave me a few pointers and advised against going too far east, especially on my own.
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My entry into Turkey was straightforward-no visa needed for NZers. Other countries just have to buy a visa at the border (ie UK citizens pay about £15 and they are issued one).
I booked a transfer to my hotel as I flew into the far away airport (like an hour away)! Found the transfer operator easily, got lost trying to find the driver. Fun times at the airport. A bus driver rang the company for me, then another operator took me back into the airport to the main operator and eventually I was in a van to the old town.
The hotel had my key ready and directions to where the group I was joining were eating dinner. Due to how the numbers fall I have ended up with my own room (amazing!).
A couple guys in the group wanted to see the Blue Mosque and Haigh Sofia at night so I joined. They were a young guy from California and an elderly gentleman from Scotland. They met on a trip in Peru over 10 years ago and continue to periodically meet up to travel together as their respective partbers/wives could not/did not want to join them. I can understand having a travel buddy as sime people travel well together. I have been lucky so far with my travel buddies. (thanks guys).
At night these sights are beautiful. Lit up, crescent moon present between the minerets of the Blue Mosque.
So far, Turkey is amazing. More than I expected.
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