The train proved once again to be a great means of travel. We were comfortable and warm in our double sleeper. The down side to this tiny train was there was no snack car. So we were pretty hungry most of the way, but we managed just fine.
When we got to the Turkish border the conductor woke us up and started talking about cigarettes and Jack Daniels while handing me money. Still in a sleepy daze, I refused all three. He explained again what he wanted in a very heavy Turkish accent and I finally understood and agreed. Mr. Turkish conductor wanted me to buy him goods at the duty free shop. Two bottles of Jack Daniels and three cartons of cigarettes.
The train sat at the border for about an hour while the passengers handled there business. When arriving in Turkey you must purchase a visa (for $20) then get your passport stamped, then any shopping you would like to do. The man issuing visas was asleep when we got there and after waking him up, he was quite grumpy. We payed with $100 bill and when we asked for our change he started yelling at us because of his math error. Hilarious. I got the conductor his goods and a carton of Camels for me. I love duty free shopping. After customs were checked, the conductor came by for his goodies and we found out he had others on the train do the same for him. He must have left with a couple gallons of whiskey and a few thousand cigarettes. At-a-boy!
We finally made it to Istanbul. The city is absolutely stunning. We arrived around 9 am leaving the whole day to explore it's offerings. The hostel I booked is quite over the top with a restaurant and roof top bar.
Zoey and I decided to get freshened up after our two day journey by going to one of the oldest bath houses in Istanbul. This place was gorgeous, built in 1710 it was as traditional as you could get. Do you ever take your car to get it washed? Not the automatic kind, but the real washing, where two or three guys really get it detailed? That's what this was like. I had a fat Turkish man very thoroughly and quite roughly scrub nearly every part of my body. After the peel, he laid me on a stone and washed me with soap, followed by a massage, then he washed my hair. The whole ordeal took about an hour and a half and was about $40. Quite enjoyable. I don't think I ever want to shower again. I could get use to someone washing me everyday!
The rest of the day was spent walking around, eating delicious food and coming up with an attack plan for this massive city. Four days isn't enough to see everything. But since we are both back to 'healthy' working order we want to get in as much as possible. I turned in around 7:30 and hope to get up early in the morning.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Trot Has Finıshed
We made ıt Hooray...
Ill tell the storys later. But ın the meen tıme. Thıs ıs where I am
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