Flights

I've had quite the adventure of getting to my final destination.

I got the last window seat on the British Airways flight, but in the last row in a section therefore my seat wouldn't recline completely. But, no one sat beside me and after a lot of gravol I did sleep.

I watched The Last King of Scotland and towards the end I was falling asleep. Then I started on The Queen, but fell asleep. Slept twice and in long intervals. Better than usual. I did start to shake at one point and I didn't have all my meds with me, so instead I finished the wine I had for dinner and the shaking stopped. As long as I got something in my system. I went back to sleep.

In London, transfer from Terminal 3 to 1 was quite interesting. The security was intense. Glad that I put my meds and my 50mL creams in a clear, small plastic bag. But, I was still told that I couldn't have my purse. One piece of carry on. Stuffed my purse into my carry on suitcase, broke my new sunglasses in the process, pulled a nail extremely far and scratched myself all over.

That pretty much killed an hour and a half. I still had 5 hours before my flight to Istanbul.

In the waiting lounge, I found a loung chair. Put my feet up and I think I slept for an hour. I tried finding internet access so I can write in my blog, but wireless wasn't free. Wasn't going to pay in pounds (sorry everyone).

I was lounging in the airport, sun beaming on me through the large window while watching airplanes taking off and landing.

It passed the time.

I tried to read. Was itching to write, but was too exhausted to do any of that.

I ended up walking around for a bit and then learned my flight to Istanbul is delayed 45 minutes.

Again, window seat and no one between me and the third person. The flight was nice. Clear night. Saw the city lights from above. Small plane, therefore we flew a lot lower.

Problem is that we didn't get to see a map. Kind of disappointed that I didn't know what cities we were flying over. It would be nice to know if that cluster of lights was a city in Italy or when we were flying over Greece. Oh well. It was dark.

40 minutes to landing and I start to shake. Can't control my shakes. Stewardess notices and asks if I'm ok. I'm not. I tell her to get me something with sugar. She comes back with two drinks. I drink and I feel better.

A girl behind me was reading the same Lonely Planet Turkey book. Later on I learned her name is Sarah.

We get out of the plane together learning about our future plans in Turkey while heading to customs and passport control.

The officer said: Visa, Anna.

Went to the wrong window. I thought he was the one who was going to sell me the Visa. We were told another window. And voila, there it was. Follow the cluster of people where there is absolutely no order and everyone is pushing through. Canadian passport cost the most. 45 euros. But, I got a beautiful sticker.

Went back to the passport control and this time a different officer who was asking me something about my passport. Something about this being my passport. So, he went to inquire from a higher officer. Great - it seems they thought I had a stollen passport.

We were done. We were out only to learn our luggage was already out of the plane in the lost and found. Got it.

Got out and a man approches us wanting to know if we need transport and a hotel. I have a hotel. Hotel Berr - made reservations the night before. $50 CAN for a night and not far from the airport.

He takes us to this office and we decide to take up their offer to drive us to our place for the night. I even got a return trip paid for. Then another older couple joined us and a guy who was also going to Sultan Hostel. We got a great deal, but a horrible driver. He didn't know where he was going. I was supposed to be the first to be let go and yet I wasn't. I was the last.

After everyone was gone, he started to talk to me, but I didn't understand one word. Such a hard language.

But, I did get a tour through the old town of Istanbul. Beautiful ruins, buildings lit in yellow lights and small cobble streets. It was absolutely stunning and I am excited about coming back.

We made it to Berr Hotel. By the time I got to put my head on the pillow it was 1:30 a.m. Basically, 4:30 p.m. Vancouver time. Yikes. Couldn't sleep. Had to get up at 7:30 for the next flight.

I managed to get up. Shower and went down for breakfast. I had delicious cheese (two types) and two types of breads and vegetables and two cups of turkish coffee - no cream or milk. It was absolutely delicious. I couldn't get enough. I just wanted to drink the coffee. It would be a sin if I was to put something other than sugar in it.

I was a bit worried when my ride wasn't coming, but I got to the airport in time only to learn that these are small planes and my luggage was 18 kg over the limit. Damn British Airways! This would have never happened.

I had to pay an additional 150 TYL.

Got on the plane, window seat again, no one between me and an older gentleman. The plane was half empty, so why did I pay! It's not like there would be a weight issue.

The man tried to talk to me. Couldn't understand a word he said.

But, then he pointed at my ring (I was told to wear a ring during my travels - good advice) and I kept nodding yes. He pointed at his hand and nodded no.

Then he pointed at me, him, did the walking man with his finger and said the word hotel. I understood. I was shocked. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out what I think was a bank book and he tried to get me to take it. I didn't. Then he did the international sign for money. Yikes.

I knew I had to prepare myself, but I haven't been 12 hours in Istanbul and I already had one proposition. The men do stare. But, just avoid and I think I'll be fine.

I managed to avoid him. I kept reading the newspapers. I picked up a copy of the Turkish Daily News - the paper I will be returning to.

So many interesting things are happening in Turkey right now. The elections are going to be fascinating.

Transfered in Vienna and an hour and a half later I was in Warsaw.

I saw my uncle and cousin and I was so happy to see them.

Fell asleep on the way home and they took me to their home, which is truly my home town - Bukowa. I was exhausted and welcomed the good company.