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I did not want to get up this morning but in the end the 4:30am wake up call was worth it.
I walked up to the sunset hill and watched the balloons take off.
It was a cracking view, and even better the wind was going up the valley instead of down so they all lifted snd went right over the head, I wouldn’t have been a happy bunny I don’t think, the views wouldn’t have been as good as our ride as they lifted snd instantly went straight to the top of the valley so I can’t imagine they got much of a view of the rock and mountain formations.
I was keeping s close eye everywhere the boyfriends of Instagram taking photos not crouching down but kneeling on one knee, I couldn’t do another engagement. Thankfully I didn’t have to endure one. (That’s not me being miserable or selfish before it’s thought).
Back down to the hotel, glad I walked the 500m the amount of cars causing complete road block would have taken forever to move. Lazy ass people.
I was getting picked up before breakfast this morning, 08:30 they came. Always on time here!
Just me in the 16 seater this morning to the airport. Lovely!
We pulled into the depot on the way out of Goreme. Why do people feel the need to give me free things? I wouldn’t complain at a piece of jewellery but today I was given a cucumber. I saw him pulling two off his cucumber bushes next to the bus and thought no… can’t be. Oh but my instinct was right I was given a cucumber for breakfast. At least this time he went inside and washed it. To be fair it was good, could have done with some salt. Haha!
Airport (shed) was only around 40 minutes away, sad to be leaving cappadocia but I can officially say I’ve ticked off the boxes here now.
On we go to Istanbul! This b****** sunburn is giving me jip with my bag strap. Think I’m going to have to soak myself in moisturiser this evening!
Could get used to these private transfers cheap cheap and riding in Mercedes Luxury.
Forgot how busy cities were, I could smell the pollution coming through the a/c and past the mask. Traffic everywhere and it for sure didn’t help the fact that it was EID break - nice one Beth!
Should be quieter tomorrow with a bit of luck anyway.
All walks of life here just driving through and people watching, people wearing hardly anything and people showing hardly anything and not to worry mum would you believe I’m not the only blonde person in Istanbul! Miracles happen! Lol.
As we got into the thick of Istanbul I could actually smell the fumes and pollution through the air con vents and my mask in the car, we were in the city.
Ambulance casually speeding up the metro line to get past the traffic because well why not…? They do that s*** in Asia and the Middle East not Europe. Doesn’t feel like I’m in Europe what so ever.
Turns out I’ve unknowingly picked a pretty good spot for my hotel, it’s right in the heart of Istanbul with the rooftop breakfast over looking the blue mosque, the coast line and other huge mosques that I don’t really know much about at the moment.
I wen out and grabbed a bite to eat in the colourful street outside my hotel and went on a gander. The streets were packed well near by the main attractions anyways. I had a little bit of anxiety with all the people running in different directions and families of 500. So I veered off down the pretty cobble streets away from it all and did a big loop. The reason being is because it’s the last day of the EID break most likely before everyone heads home today and tomorrow.
Meaning the grand bazar was shut, was hoping to get myself a weaved satchel bag like from Bali but that went out the window, instead I walked down a maze of streets that turned out not to be shut but resembled Dubai Karama (Turkey style) full of knock off labels and tacky clothes - my worst nightmare. Turkey is the second biggest manufacturer for fake goods so it’s hard to get away from it here. Another freak out of not knowing how to get out and away from flocks of people working zig zag as if on a funeral March, I managed to find a side street with just a bedding store on it and no rif raf to check my maps. Low and behold another two girls seemed to be doing the same as me. Thankfully got myself out and walked up the streets with closed stores. Istanbul is very hilly! I don’t know why I’m surprised, I didn’t know what to expect here to be honest.
Today I’m no just ‘my lady’ I’m princess too, men here are more naggy want you to see their shop or follow you down a busy road almost getting knocked over to talk. One guy wanted to take me for a drink and put my number in his phone, he said look if I’m wasting my time tell me, the words couldn’t have been more clear “yeah your wasting your time I don’t want to drink tea or go dancing with you”. Haha They’re working on their charm to pull their lonely old woman with bags of money. I’m just not the ditsy and naive blonde they think I am.
In Istanbul they also think initially that I’m Australian maybe now I have more of a tan after crisping up at the pool Wednesday.
Istanbul has a french feel about it with the design of some of the buildings but also a Spanish/Portuguese feel at the same time with a s*** tonne of great massive grand mosques everywhere the eye could see. Very multicultural! I get the feel that either they’re carrying out bad practice and sinning or their aren’t very many practicing Muslim families around here. Well not as many as I thought there would be given the amount of mosques.
I love all the quirky restaurants and bars, lined down cobble streets, this place isn’t short on the dollar and not much poverty to be seen in most areas but then again I suppose I’m in the heart of a city.
And… as I write this a young girl begging comes to my table and asks for money.
She’s definetly not brought her A game like India, and she looks rather fresh, her hair isnt even back combed and dress looks pretty clean maybe she’s scrubbed a little dirt on her left cheek but initially I thought she was walking to the wrong table to sit at.
Free walking tour tomorrow that I booked with walk guru, I looked at leaflets from hotel for tours when I got here and the evening boat tour looked good but the leaflet specifically stated that it was preferred that you come as a couple and I wasn’t bringing Ahmed or Mo from the streets with me, without blowing my own trumpet they’ll think they’ve scored. So maybe I’ll look at something else or have a quiet one in Istanbul.
Some of these Turkish men are handsome I will admit, you can see where the old ladies may fall for it marry and have them take all their money or live a life of luxury being bought, they try and put that charm on you and to a lonely old woman that’s attractive. A little like the old men and the lady boys in Asia. Prey on the vulnerable.
Who knows maybe I’ll be a lonely old lady in turkey the way it’s going haha! (I kid… I’ll be the crazy dog lady in a cottage with a log fire).
Tonight Matthew I am Betty from Wales, can’t quite grasp my name in most parts of the world. I’ll have a notepad worth of pronunciations of my name country categorised soon.
Had a pleasant night sat watching the world go by in a cobbled street with a glass of red. The waiter had a cracking playlist on, he let me add some songs to the list. Then he played Elvis - winner!
Weirdo next to me put ice in his RED WINE! Disaster before we start. Then he asked me where I was from bla bla bla, he had been to London and Birmingham of course. Talking about lady Diana and Wales and our great footballer… George best. He’s not welsh mate he’s Irish. Do you mean Gareth Bale?
The red wine ruiner then carried on talking about George best and how much of a t*** he is and likes to drink and doesn’t care and how he inspires him. Awesome, what a role model!
The waiters were keeping an eye, one of them even had A RESTING b**** FACE! Aha, I just looked at them and we all just laughed turning our head, he was steaming looking at something on his phone.
Anyways, as I was told the night was young and still passing on the many dancing opportunities I was offered tonight I was retiring to the comfort of my huge king sized bed for a decent night sleep.
Peace. Out. Istanbul.
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