Back in the big big city. Ive had about 5 hours of broken sleep on a bus and its been arranged for me to get off the bus on the Asian side of Istanbul due to the time of my flight and that I fly out of the airport which is an hour away from the Old City on the European side (if I went from the Old City it would mean cutting it fine to make the check in time and a horrendously expensive taxi). So at 6.00am I was cerimoniously dropped off at the most chaotic bus station I have seen thus far. Buses everywhere all trying to leave at the same time. With a wave goodbye and a point to a taxi stand, I found a taxi driver (who used the metre!! And quoted me a price within one lira of what it actually was-yay for not getting ripped off-as I am trying get rid of the last of my lira he ended up with a decent tip). So upside-made it to the airport with minimal fuss. Downside-cant check in for another two hours! Better that than late and out of pocket three times as much. So I have found brekkie at the airport (yes its pancakes from McDonalds but I was craving a change from what I have been eating for the last two weeks-plus I wanted a hot choc). Now my hot chocis minus its marshmallows, BUT, if the craving hit, they served Efes beer at Maccas! If you are what you eat/drink, I almost turned into an Efes on this trip.
Plus, Im saving myself for a coffee when I get to Rome. I had to fly to Rome, wait around in the airport for s bit then fly to Florence. I am to meet Shiho tonight in Florence (she was over this way for work and it all fell into place to spend the weekend in Florence). Our accommodation is about 300m from each other so it worked out well.
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