Adventure Stage 4 - Istanbul

Interesting facts about Turkey that I learned from my guidebook:

• Has more ancient sites than any other country in the world

• Was the first location for the production and usage of coins…..about 2700 years ago

• Is where Noah’s Ark landed when the great flood was subsiding

• 70% of its population is under 35

• Produces 70% of the hazelnuts in the world

• Has 60,000 yellow taxis in the capital of Istanbul

I got off the boat…..mostly Ukrainians were there….and stepped into a COMPLETELY different culture.  I stand out here…..white skinned….my hair is not as dark as most.  In Ukraine….I can blend in….but not here.

I did not go to the ‘Tourist Information’ booth at the boat terminal.  I just took off into the city on foot with my backpack.  After 10 minutes of an uphill climb…..and my shirt soaked through in sweat..…..I decided it was time for lunch.  I walked into a small café and the hand motions started instantly…..I had FOREIGNER written all over me.

I had just gone to the ATM…..and become an instant millionaire!!!  But…it only takes about 75 U.S. cents to do that…..the exchange rate is 1, 400, 0000 per dollar now.   So….I paid a couple million for my lunch and went on my way.

It wasn’t hard to find a hotel….they were all over the place.  I took a bit of a rest…..then went for a walk.  I realized fairly quickly that I’d ventured off the ‘beaten track’.  I was in a residential section of town with apartments all over the place.  People were staring at me as I walked by.  One guy yelled, ‘Sportsman!!!!’  I guess it was because I was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. 

He motioned for me to come have a smoke with him….but I declined.  A bit further….2 boys sitting, watching as I went by.  He whispered ‘Toureest!’ (tourist) to his friend as I went by.  Then yelled out ‘Toureest!!!’  He was smiling…..I returned the smile, but moved on….feeling I was attracting a bit too much attention. 

Lots of exploring that day……I was just sort of ‘eating my way across’ Istanbul.  I love the food here….honestly….I think it’s the best food I’ve ever had.  I can’t stay out of cafes…..and my budget is showing that (a bit more expensive here than in Ukraine!).

By 10 in the evening…..I finally yielded to the fact that I was completely and helplessly lost.  So…..I flagged down one of those 60,000 yellow taxis….and made an instant friend.  He spoke English and asked me several questions about myself on the drive back to the hotel.  When I said I was born in the state of Missouri, he said excitedly, ‘Is that near Texas?!?!?’  My friend…..H. W. Bush is in Texas!!!!’ (he grinned and chuckled a bit).  (I think he meant G not H Bush).  Then he said ‘You like Kenny Rogers????  I like Kenny Rogers…..too much!!!’  He explained a bit more about his love for country music…pulled out a Lyle Lovett tape and began to play it for me.  We agreed to meet again in the morning for him to take me across town.  He delivered me back to my hotel…….where I drifted away to sleep with sounds of Lyle Lovett’s music dancing in my head……………

Next day…….

Why did God create cats anyway???  I don’t understand it.  All during dinner tonight at a local cafe….this cat was pestering me.  He was determined to share my shishkabab with me.  I tolerated him well until he became impatient…..and bit me.  Then….the game was over.  Was God thinking ‘You know….I think I’ll just invent something that will irritate man….something to pester him….and stretch his patience to the limit!!!’  Or…are cats just here to make us appreciate and love dogs that much more??? 

I completely changed environments today. 

I went from regular Istanbul to ‘Backpacker’ Istanbul.  I’m sharing a room at a youth hostel with people from Italy, France, Korea, and Canada.  Actually…..there were bombs near here today, but I did not even here them…..I think I was in the taxi on the way over when they exploded. 

Yesterday, I saw an interesting commercial on television for ‘Cola Turka’.  A soldier….who was in the desert…..somehow found a cooler full of this Turkish soda buried in the sand (cold…it was packed in ice).  He took a drink….and it was so darn good…..that he dropped his gun, took of his uniform…..and left the army.  I realized then and there…..I NEEDED to try that stuff.  So….while at dinner….with the cat pestering me…..I had some.  At that time…I had this thought’  ‘Wow!!!  This stuff is great!!  I’m sure this will overtake Coke Light (Diet Coke for you Americans) as the preferred diet drink of the world!!  Two hours later I didn’t like it as well……I discovered that it is actually a fast-acting laxative (at least for me it was).  Now I know why that soldier in the desert was dropping his gun and taking off his army clothes….its because he was sprinting for the nearest toilet.

Saw several mosques today……and ate more fantastic food.  That’s about all I did…….

The benefits of staying at this hostel (The Orient Express) are amazing!!  Not only can I use the internet for free…..but there are free belly dancing lessons tonight at 11 p.m.!!!  What a super deal!!!!

Sometimes….I have a song of the day.  Today…. it's “Shake Your Booty” by K.C. and the Sunshine Band.  Heard it in the hotel, and I dedicate it to those belly-dancing teachers, wherever you are (I haven’t seen them yet…..I just couldn’t keep myself awake that long).

Tomorrow….I’m off to Ephesus to see the ruins there.  I’m still trying to decide if I’m going to cross over to Athens while the Olympics are going on.  Stay tuned……more to come.