Turkey Tour
Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, and Antalya
I left the USA as soon as I was able to leave, because I was afraid that if I did not, I would not leave anytime soon. I arrived to Istanbul, and was received by Azra. She helped me find select my airbnb, set me up with an Istanbul card for public transport, and help me settled into my new home for the next two weeks. Our first meal was simple, and I retired to my lodging.
Day 2, Azra helped me setup a phone line, and exchange money for the first time. We went to get doner and some sweets and tea. I went to the seaside to check out the scenery and got too bold and went for a longer walk. I end up going up a one way park and had to double back. On the way back I really needed to use the restroom, and I found a bathroom place in the park, but needed to pay like 5 TL to use, I learned that the Istanbul card Azra gave me, was basically the payment option for everything in public areas. I also found out later, that every city has its own card and have the same system. It’s actually very efficient. It works for bus, metro, train, light rail, bathrooms, literally every public space uses the same card.
Azra has some health issues and that was the last I seen of her after second day. The third day I met with Afeliya for “breakfast” but it was really lunch, lol. The schedule here is the same as the schedule in Egypt, and many other countries I have visited. Very late start to the beginning of the day. I got an eye infection the day before, I do not know what I touched but my eyes were swelling so that means no contacts until it goes away.
We went to a very posh place for lunch in Nisatasi. I really like the two pot style for the tea. One for hot water and another for tea and you just fix the dilute it as you please. Food was pretty decent, but at 600 TL per person it was ridiculously expensive even for Turkey (about 20 usd per person). I like the cai (tea) they have, its similar to English breakfast tea. Afeliya took me to a Pharmacy and I got some eye drops with antibiotics for my eye. It instantly felt better.
In the afternoon, Afeliya took me to some popular tourist must sees. As the day was winding down, we decided to adventure eat some fish doner by the sea. We also tried the raki, which is an anise flavored alcohol from distilled grapes. It was very strong, what they gave us. It tasted like grain alcohol with water. It would not be my favorite anytime soon. We finish the day by the metro line.
In the morning, Afeliya met me again near my airbnb. I tried my first pide (basically flat bread pizza, but not pizza). It was actually pretty decent. We decided to go to the islands today. There was a beggar girl on the metro that clung on to us. I gave her some liras finally so she would leave. lol. We took the ferry to the islands. There are many islands, and we could of gotten off in any of them, but we went to the larger island.
We spend sometime walking around the island. It is rather very developed island. We rented some bicycle to ride around, someone did not know how to ride a bicycle. lol. Afterwards we hung out by the sea and dip our feet in the water. I tried some oyster with rice, I probably should not have, it did not look that sanitary, but I did not die. Then we headed back on the ferry and got dinner.
Next day, we had a slow start, and went around for a later lunch, and tried some Turkish delight and some coffee. We finish the day at Afeliya’s bar she frequent watching some drama with a guy trying to fight the bartender. It was so silly. The bar was rather close to my airbnb, literally 1 block away. I took this photo of this store in front of the bar “u fuk” copy center. I was amused.
Next day, I met with my virtual assistant, Zehra, who came from Ankara. She picked up her computer and we return to the pide place that Afeliya showed me, cause I wanted to try another pide. I started eating cheese regularly and apparently I’m no longer that intolerant.
The most important thing I learn over the years, with traveling and timing is that people you meet and the opportunity to make memories are more often than not, very limited time open invitation. While it may seem that the connection is there, and can be access anytime, the reality is that the connection can and will change very quickly. Things change a lot in a year, even in a few months. That connection you thought it to be there will become different very quickly. People can move, have children, have a different job, and myriad of things often happen with life.
I still remember boarding Stalhratte (sailboat name) from Panama to Colombia. It was a popular way to cross the Darian Gap. It was perhaps one of the most memorable experiences I had; 4 days snorkeling and feasting on the sailboat. It is also one of the things that overlander on motorbikes look forward to when they reach Panama. Alas, it is no longer a service anymore after Covid. Maybe I’ll see that service again in my lifetime, maybe not. I can only be happy that I was there when it mattered, and when it was available.
If you wait, it is likely those connections and opportunities are as good as nonexistent. The time is now, you have to make the move, you have to make the time and have the courage to go.