Don t really know if I ll have enough time to go back to France over land. Time is running quite fast and I do want to spent a little bit of time with my family before going bak to Asia for my first semester in Singapore.
I decide to go to straight to Istanbul from Tabriz in Iran. I can have a quick look at the Cappadocia’s scenery while crossing the country from east to west. Two nights, one day and a 6 hours border crossing after….I m finally in Istanbul.
Fisrt thing I notice in this historical city….the huge huge amount of tourist, buses full coming per dozen in the historical area. I don’t feel very comfortable there, and I kind of miss my mountains in Iran….
The old city center is full of hostels, guesthouses, bars, souvenirs shops…..raahhhh, I feel like I m in Ibiza, or KaoSan Road or something. Erm, wasn’t expecting such a choc in there.
Hopefully, while looking for my guesthouse, I meet Laurent and Geoffroy, two nice frenchie dudes also looking for a place to stay…after a few hostel, we decide to share a room for the first night.
Quick shower and I decide to wander around the city and most of all, try to avoid the millions of tourists…as they all gather around the Blue Mosque, I decide to follow narrow streets and walk around less touristy places… still…hard to find a place which looks a little “local”.
For the second day, I decide to have a look at the touristy places. I have to say the city is beautiful and you do find old monuments, walls or gardens at every corner of the city.
The Blue Mosque is THE place to see….quite impressive!! Feel a little bit better there, I get a little more used to the tourists…still… need to spend some times off the beaten track….can t stand the tourists for too long.
At night, Laurent and Geoffroy, half drunk, wake me up and drag me on the other side of the Bosphore in a little local street where people sit on small chairs outside and drink beer while listening to traditional Turk music. Later, we end up in a dark jazzy club, and a few drinks later, we re back to the old city center….sun is rising slowly and we can enjoy the beautiful view of the area…without the tourists.
Last day, I take a boat to go to Prince Island, a little island where locals get to spend their wek end and holidays. I m suppose to meet Laurent and Geoffroy there but I ll never find them. Anyway, I wlak around and enjoy the architecture and the shore of this little island. Let s say I m having a relaxing day as it s my last for this silk road trip.
Back at the guesthouse at night, I try to go to sleep for the few hours I have left there….my alarms rings at 2h40 in the morning, time to take the shuttle bus for the airport where my plane is waiting for me to bring me back home.
Sniff, end of the journey, a bit tired though, and happy to get to see my family soon. I m not that sad to finish the trip…I know some people are waiting or me in France and I have thee busy weeks to spend over there before my next take off to Singapore on August 27th….
Back at the guesthouse at night, I try to go to sleep for the few hours I have left there….my alarms rings at 2h40 in the morning, time to take the shuttle bus for the airport where my plane is waiting for me to bring me back home.
Sniff, end of the journey, a bit tired though, and happy to get to see my family soon. I m not that sad to finish the trip…I know some people are waiting or me in France and I have thee busy weeks to spend over there before my next take off to Singapore on August 27th….
End of the journey....
....
........
'till
the
next
one
!!!!
