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Winding Down
Sunday morning, I already felt like the adventure was coming to an end. I often tell people that I could travel forever and never get homesick. However, when the end of the road nears, and I start to think about home, I do get a little anxious. It is not possible to return instantly, though. There is always some buffer time spent on the road or at the airport. Time to think. The bus got in to Istanbul around 10am. Mustafa and I took the shuttle out to his house where we spent the day.
Buyukcekmece
It turns out his house is far far away from the Sultan Ahmet downtown region that all the tourist love. I was glad to be able to see some of the real city. Istanbul is pretty crazy
though. It has grown to more than 20million recently. The surrounding area is quickly being gobbled up by half-finished apartment complexes. Out near the Marmaris Sea, Mustafa and his family have lived in a new flat for a year or so. It is quite a spacious place for a family of five, but it doesn't really look like a home yet. The whole family is down in Adana right now. Only Mustafa is back to take some special classes.
On the Town
We went out for a little shopping. First just groceries and then for a carpet. I thought I might get in on the big bargains of local rugs, but it turns out they are more expensive than I thought. We walked down the boardwalk and played a few games of billiards at a kiddie joint. The whole place is not much different than a residential area in any other town. There is even an indoor amusement park, Toys R Us, McD'S, Loft, etc nearby. Suburban life.
Jet Lag
I started thinking about all the traveling ahead of me and decided it would be better if I take a bit of a nap. We lounged around the house in the evening until it was time for me to go. I hopped on the last crowded bus headed for town. The driver told me where to get off for the airport. I walked along the highway in the dark for only a few paces before a taxi stopped to offer me a ride the rest of the way. Like most taxi drivers, he was prepared to take advantage of a late-night foreigner in need. No meter. He told me I owed him a million (US4) for the five minute ride, but I told him I only had 800,000. Got into the airport and began to wait.
Waiting
I would have to say that I am more patient than the average person, but one can only take so much of an airport. This is the second time I have spent a restless night in an airport in order to make a 6am. I got a little sleep before I started to wait in the lines for my flight to Amsterdam. There will be time for a quick bus tour of Amsterdam, but it looks like the summer adventure is sadly drawing to a close. Happy Trails to you all...
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