I woke early to get to the airport on Tuesday. This is my first plane trip alone and I didn't want to feel stressed if I couldn't find something- so I allowed plenty of time! I left my flat in Brixton at 7am and was quite apprehensive about the two trains I was going to have catch. Not because I had to catch two trains, more so because I had to catch two trains, with my 15kg backpack which was nearly bigger than me in size, and my front pack, about 6kg. It turns out that it is terrifying stepping onto an escalator or walking downstairs when you can't see your toes!
The trains were empty as- another reason I was thankful that I left early. I arrived at the airport at 8:20am and checked in... So far so good. Turns out it is easy to do things like checking in, by yourself. I then had some time to kill. I got some breakfast and then found somewhere to sit and people watch. I love people watching. At 10:20am it was time to head to my departure lounge. I like people watching as much as the next person - but I do so without being blatantly obvious. Much unlike the two women opposite me in the lounge who stared at me and talked to each other in a foreign language. Potentially Turkish. I wonder what they were saying.
On the flight I sat next to a well groomed man who was probably late forties to early fifties. He had his Sudoku book so seemed entertained enough and I was relieved he didn't want to engage in too much conversation as I had already picked the movies I wanted to see. I ended up watching something with Katherine Heigl where her best friends die and leave their baby girl to her and a guy she can't stand. And I cried. A lot. Not a good movie choice for a plane ride haha. When it came time for food, (which was really nice by plane standards! I had a chicken kebab) I paused my movie and took out my headphones.
The man next to me turned and asked "So, are you passing through Istanbul or is it your final destination?"
I explained I was joining a tour, seeing some of Istanbul, Gallipoli and then onto Cairo and Giza in Egypt. He started talking about the war history of Gallipoli and seemed impressed I was interested in going. I then felt it only polite to ask if he was passing through. This is where the conversation got *really* interesting and I forgot about my movie!
He explained how he was going on a tour of duty for the American Army. He is a Colonel- and on his way to Kurdistan. So here I was, sitting next to a Colonel who works for the US Army. This explained the haircut and bolt upright posture.
He told me so many interesting stories - and of course me being my nosy self ended up asked loads of questions which he was happy to answer. He is 49, joined the army when he was 15. Is going to the Pentagon (What? Now this is sounding like a movie... I sat next to someone who attends important military meetings WITH the American president often there at the Pentagon!!) in three months once he is released from duty. And he is retiring from the service July 1st.
I asked if there is some sort of huge ceremony when you retire and he explained there was, but he prefers the ten days of parties... A cigar and cognac evening, golfing day etc. Sounds like a blast! He said also he will be required to hand in his badge, being he has relatively full access to some highly restricted areas in the Pentagon. It all sounded a bit unreal. But incredibly interesting. He has served all over the world, although when he signed his contract he agreed that he would not enter countries such as Russia whilst he is serving. I asked why- he said he is a high risk for capture! Unreal. He is looking forward to going to places he has never been before. Wow.
Anyway, he gave me some "travel safe in Turkey and Egypt" tips and wished me well. It turned out he was thoroughly worth sitting next to!! It was at the point of exiting the plane and passing through customs that I wished I had packed my glasses in my hand luggage. I kid you not- I couldn't read the sign that told you where to get your planes luggage. So there were 14 luggage carousels. And I made it to carousel number 12 before I found my flight number- whoops!!!!
After finally getting my hands on my luggage I realised I needed to now work out what to do next. I needed to locate my hostel which according to the Internet was a 30 minute taxi ride. I was not paying for a taxi- so I ventured to the metro to see if I could work it out. A true backpacker heh heh. Thankfully having lived in London and mastered the underground, working out how to get to Karbatas on the Istanbul metro to where I'd need the tram was easy. I had to buy little red plastic tokens (you know the kind- like the ones for the games at "Time Out" haha!) which cost 1.75TL, about the same in NZD (a little less, say it cost about $1.50 per token). I got onto the metro, managed to exit at the right place after witnessing some fisticuffs between a drunk and a Policeman, and followed the signs to the tram. Which brought me to a bus stop. Where the eff was the tram?!
Looking around I was approached by an older Turkish man. I was pretty cautious- but at the same time I was carrying what felt like half my bodyweight and was getting tired. I figured if he wanted money for giving me directions he could have what change was in my pocket. 1 Turkish lira! He insisted on not only pointing the way, but escorting me there. OMG. Panic set in. He was going to want money!! I followed him despite my paranoia he was going to ask for the shirt off my back. When I found where I was going, I thanked him and apologised for not having any money for him (I did- but I didn't want to part with it!). He said he was sorry I misunderstood but he didn't want any money. Hooray! My faith in humanity was restored.
Once on the tram I had to work out how many stops to mine- and managed to hop off at the correct one!! Bonus! I knew there was a walk to my hostel from the tram- so I decided to go sit on a park bench nearby. I was then approached by another older man (am I sensing a pattern here?!) and he asked if I was lost and if he could help. By this stage I was just shattered so took his offer. He did take me to my hostel- but first took me to his family Turkish rug shop where he had an assistant make me some apple tea. I was terrified. I declined the tea, being petrified they might have drugged it. Paranoid much? When traveling alone - TRUST NOBODY! Eek. The man urging me to try it scared me even more, so I said I was allergic to apples. One of his assistants then tried to sell me a rug (yeah- just what every backpacker needs!) by which stage I'd had enough so stood up to leave. He obliged and kept his word and walked me to my hostel which was about ten minutes from the tram. Anyway, long story short, he also took me to a great kebab place for dinner and then bought me back to my hostel afterwards. A relief really as I didn't know what or where to eat. He asked me at one point if I had a boyfriend, so I said I was married. (I had put my engagement and wedding ring on my left hand when I stepped off the plane haha!) and he was shocked - he said I was far too young. Another person who thinks I am 22. Points to me. Yusss. He said how lucky my husband was and how silly he was to let me out of his sight in Istanbul. I promised to tell 'my husband' how lucky he was. LOL.
I fell into bed. Sort of. I actually climbed to the top bunk (I think the last time I slept on a top bunk was when we lived at Carlisle Road as a child!) and slept quite quickly. I woke this morning to the pouring rain outside....lame. I had a freezing cold shower (I have since learnt that I need to shower at night, not in the morning, if I want any heat in it) and ventured out into Istanbul City. I made a concious decision not to buy a map and get lost in Istanbul for fun........
.......well that's the story I am telling, and I am sticking with it! I actually spent most of today on the tram. Up and down I went, looking for how to get to Taksim Square which is where there are lots of shops etc. It sounded like a good place to kill a day. Finding it was not so easy. I eventually (about 2 hours later haha!) found it, and had a walk up and down the shopping street. I bought a trinkety decoration that I figured could pass as a christmas decoration and also got some Turkish Delight... in many flavours, om nom nom! I had lunch somewhere that looked clean and used their bathroom. I have gotten quite smart now, and if I need a bathroom, instead of using a disgusting public one, I go and eat or drink somewhere and use their facilities. Outstanding travel tip. After about eight hours out and about I decided (or my legs decided) it was time to go back to the hostel and chillax. My real tour starts on the 22nd and it will be full on from then until I go back to London, so the next few days are chill time I have decided.
My hostel is nice enough, but I have decided I am getting 'over' the whole hostel thing. I want my own room and my own bathroom. I don't desperately enjoy sharing with five others, it has to be said. especially not on a top bunk! I am quite stoked I am only sharing with one other in a four-five star hotel once the tour starts.
Bring. It. On. Sarah-iously!
Now I am at my hostel again, and about to upload some photos from the day. Tomorrow I think I'll go to Asia. Why?? Because I can.
Cheery bye :)
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