lol I had a test that morning - Which i now know my grade seeing as its been a week or so lol - I seem to keep increasing I can only hope to continue the streak :) Then I quickly was off - well I grabbed a bite to eat with Christina before walking to the Hauptbahnhof to catch my train. However, before I left, I was pleasently surprised to see Patrick (steph's friend from Hamburg) waiting to be picked up by Steph & Chris. Basically all we had time for was hi and by but it was good nonetheless.
Then I was off and on my adventure to Istanbul!! Everything went smoothly the flight was even pretty nice. I sat next to a Turkish Guy who was traveling back to Turkey with his family because of a funeral - granted it was not the greatest situation but we chatted in German and he asked where I was studying so it made the flight quite nice. Flying into Istanbul - had to have been one of the most breath-taking sights I have ever seen. Let me try to do it justice. - As we started our descent, i looked out the window and was amazed, with the moonlight glimmering off the Marmara See, the lights of the city skyline, the bridges and the tiny specks of lights from the Harbor. I wish I could have captured a Picture for you but my Camera was in the overhead Cabin - so I will try to find a picture online to do it justice - But it will forever be in my memory! <3
I arrived in the Istanbul Airport, i found the visa place bought a visitors visa and waited in line for passport check. In this line, the man/boy who was standing in front of me turned around & started speaking spanish to me, then when he realized I was not understanding anything he said to me he spoke in English and asked me rather confused - "You are Colombian no?" I laughed a little as I shook my head then he guessed if I was spanish - again I said no.. then he was like, where are you from- & then i said America He was surprised with this answer, but we continued to talk in our 26 min wait. Then he let me go ahead of him and I was off in search of Sam & Nick who were awaiting me somewhere on the other side.
I did find them! Good thing to it was a huge crowd of people, so we got out of there fast and the boys knew how to work the metro/trains so we had a good jump on things. Trying to figure out how the tickets work or the "Jetons" *say it with a french accent* was a bit tricky but we managed. The next task was finding the hostel. Normally that is no problem - but it just so happens that our hostel was down a street that was torn up from construction so naturally we walked around and around and around not knowing, til eventually we walked down the construction road and found it - do keep in mind that its past Midnight by now.
The hostel was what we paid for, i guess three beds single room it had a sink and two large windows. It wasn't bad, the guys bathroom was right across the hall and there were 2 shower(rooms) lol literally you walk in take a shower.. granted they were private but they were literal rooms. The girls bathroom was all the way down a huge hallway, and inside was a bit sketch, there was a hose attached to the sink, the bathroom stall was if a small child could fit, barely any room and it was for the most part, well i guess clean. Eh good thing I only had to use it for about 3 days. I shouldn't complain some people have it worse. Oh and there was no toilet paper :P Right on!
Saturday we awoke at 9:00 and we were off to the races! We mainly wandered, until we stumbled upon this park, which of course we need to investigate. It just so happened to me a Palace park, so it was a good time investment, ooo and we found a nice little place to eat at, seeing as Sam & Nick were hungry and I loved the view. They loved the view too, we all had a bit to eat, but Sam and I indulged on some Turkish Tea- SO GOOD!!! :) & I had cheese bread, which was quite tasty as well! (pictures above)
We then visited the Topaki Palace, which was also goregous that had an amazing view, so of course after visiting all the exhibits and such we perched ourselves on the side and gazed into the sea and other parts of Turkey. It was Great- We took some pretty awesome pictures too!
After the Palace we were walking around to see what we could visit next when we passed some delicious smelling corn. It looked so good and looked so promising and so close to back home- but low and behold it was hold and nasty - not great for me ;( See for yourself - I would not recommend it
But oh well - GPA - I CAN NOT WAIT TO HAVE YOUR CORN ON THE COB!!! (for real- best ever)
Then we continued on with our lovely weather and our stomachs full - well for the most part ;)
We walked around and ended up at the Blue Mosque - which was way cool. I did not have to wear a head covering, I just had to zip my jacket all the way up- so that worked to I guess. It was very pretty inside, we couldn't stay long the prayer was about to start. But nonetheless it was plenty of time. We ended up meeting a rather nice fellow, before we entered and he approached us again as we left the Blue mosque, he wanted to show us his shop. So we followed carefully, even saying we didn't have money to buy anything. He was okay with that I guess, cuz he kept talking to us and saying yes Ik you are students, Ik. So we went.
I can only speak for myself, but this situation was most definitely an Eye opening one! I was able to witness how they treat women so differently, from what I am used to. Exhibit A - The entire time that "we" were walking and talking on his way to his store, he merely talked to Sam and Nick and I was just tagging along, I will say tho at the very beginning he did kind of ask where we all were from & then I was addressed and did answer. Exhibit B - When we arrived at his shop, he continued to talk to Sam & Nick and again I was merely just a bystander. What was really interesting was when we were about to leave he shook Sam & Nick's hand only. He also only handed his business card to Sam & Nick. I was not given a Handshake or a Business Card. - It was rather bewildering.
Overall, It was a good experience but I was definitely pushed outside my comfort zone and I was not ready for it. The rest of the day I was unsure of how to act, what I should say, who I should talk to. Granted I know I should have just been myself, but I was way thrown off - I didn't know what to do.
Anyways our day continued we ate some pretty delicious food - which continued on into this trip (yummm)
Btw- the weather was 60 Degrees F. So we decided why not to spend some time in the sun next to the sea, sipping on tea, and playing good ol' fashion checkers! It was great - great company, great view, great game, & great tea!! Oh I can not forget to mention the locals that were fishing long the docks and of course the bit of teenage boys who decided to play target the jellyfish - Meaning A. Yes there were jellyfish in the water & B. They were throwing things at it :) It was rather fascinating to watch.
But as we were playing checkers - Sam was the all-time winner I would say, but then in our match off, I came back and beat him - lol :P it was all in the fate of one move!
Eventually we called it a day - also a side note I think between the three of us we probably had seen roughly 20 stray cats that day - CRAZY this is most deff a Cat city - not so much my fav aspect of it :P
So we eventually ended up on our tour - which was private and we had a Turkish Grandfather :) He was really nice and very informative- on a different note he walked extremely fast! We were supposed to go on a Cable car, but it was a bit to crowded so our driver drove up. It was a very hectic drive to the top but we made it, snapped some cool pictures and then hurried back down the huge hill to try and catch our boat. Which we did end up making. On the boat of course we had more tea - I also thing our Grandfather had a bit of an addiction, [we were developing one] But also on the boat we were able to see the two coastal side of Istanbul, Europe & Asia. I was so close to Asia - I wish we could have gone, but not enough time in a day! lol I did get to see a lot that day tho.. Also we then continued our journey after the boat tour we headed into the Spice Bazaar- Where I finally tried Turkish Delight. I most deff suggest going to Turkey and trying some - lol or for those who can't make it all the way to Turkey just deff try a Delight! I totally have a different understanding for Narnia <3 hahah oh Edmond......Again this day was full of crazy drivers, a bazillion cats, good food, & great company! Another successful day!!
Also James joined us - well I mean his plane made it to Turkey lol and we met up with him, chilled at the hostel and when we got the munchies we were off to dinner - Sam, James, & I.
We found a place where you could sit on the top floor under a roof and watch the city, it was pretty awesome and again so was the food - DELICIOUS!! I miss it :(
I guess I will just have to go back - haha - hopefully sometime!
That next morning - Monday- was my flight home, Sam was kind enough to take me all the way home - [ he wanted to make sure he lived up to my mom's standings] lol Which i think he exceeded them :) so all is good!
I made it home to Marburg at around 4:00, it was a great trip :) One that I will not forget and one that I am so very thankful that I got to go on!! Thanks for everything- Sam, Nick, James, & Family - it was awesome! Oh and of course Sarina for some great tips of what to hit up - she loves Istanbul <3
The final pictures will be of our hostel room and Sam being mummified ;D
Last but not least - Prayer time in Istanbul is one of its one. Well that I have experienced. Hearing the call to prayer over the loud speaker throughout the entire city is just an amazing experience. The city respects it and it is just awesome. I made a video - Let's see if it will work for you!
Well that is Istanbul - well rather my trip to Istanbul in a nut shell, okay so it was a bit long - but its been a while so I figured I would give you something to read while I ponder about continuing my updates.
Hopefully this weekend I can catch up - but I did say that last time :P
Love you all & Will be seeing you sooner than you know!!
<3 Ris
- well the video didn't load.. mb next time??
Awesome awesome post. :) Again, sorry about the unfortunate situation with the carpet guys, etc. However, I am so glad we could all explore Istanbul together. I have no doubt you will go back someday! :)
ReplyDeleteIt was not your fault and I chalk it up as one heck of an experience - that can't fail me :) and yes I hope so & I am really glad we were able to as well :)
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