The last day in Istanbul was pretty crazy. We walked around to see some parts of the city that we hadn't yet seen and bought our train and bus tickets to our next destination - for me, that was Sofia.
Ok, so as I said earlier, I got a Turkish bath! It was soooo weird, but a cultural experience none the less. Basically, you lay on a big hot marble stone in a sauna-like room until you are good and sweaty. Then, a big fat man takes you to a sink and sits you down (you are in a towel). Afterwards, he proceeds to scrub you with a rough cloth to rid your body of dead skin. Finally, they lather you up with soap and throw buckets of water on you until you are clean... NO HOMO! :)
Afterwards, Luiggi left for Greece so I had a few hours alone. I decided to eat a big slow-paced meal and then go to a Berber... A Barber.
At the Barber shop, I got a greatly needed haircut and a professional shave! It was soooo cool! Razor blades, hot shaving cream, and fire! Haha that's right, fire! He lit his scissors on fire and proceeded to quickly and painlessly burn the hair on the edge of my ear! I didn't even know I had any there...
Another great and I guess pampered day!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Turkey Day 4 - Ephesus
After a rough night's sleep, we were dropped off in the middle of nowhere with no clue where to go to next (we were still without vouchers or an agenda). But again, after 5 minutes, we were approached by a Turkish who held a sign with my name on it! How do they keep finding us?!
Anyways, the sightseeing was amazing! I truly felt like I was in Rome. We toured Roman and Byzantine ruins and saw the place where the Virgin Mary was believed to live after Jesus' crucifixion. At that particular site, we were confronted by an older man, Barney, who began discussing the meaning of life with us. It was very deep and insightful. I took away two things: 1) Love God above all else and treat your neighbor as you would treat yourself 2) You must be the change that you seek. Two great pieces of advice from the Irish man.
After the church, we were taken to a leather store who gave us our own private fashion show. Halfway through, I was brought backstage and given a wig and a leather jacket. Then, I was instructed to walk a beautiful model down the runway and model with her! Haha it was fun, but embarrassing!
The day ended on another night bus headed to Istanbul... This time, however, we were perfectly on time!
Anyways, the sightseeing was amazing! I truly felt like I was in Rome. We toured Roman and Byzantine ruins and saw the place where the Virgin Mary was believed to live after Jesus' crucifixion. At that particular site, we were confronted by an older man, Barney, who began discussing the meaning of life with us. It was very deep and insightful. I took away two things: 1) Love God above all else and treat your neighbor as you would treat yourself 2) You must be the change that you seek. Two great pieces of advice from the Irish man.
After the church, we were taken to a leather store who gave us our own private fashion show. Halfway through, I was brought backstage and given a wig and a leather jacket. Then, I was instructed to walk a beautiful model down the runway and model with her! Haha it was fun, but embarrassing!
The day ended on another night bus headed to Istanbul... This time, however, we were perfectly on time!
Turkey Day 3 - Cappadocia Day 2
Compared to the trains and buses, my queen sized bed at the cave hotel was paradise! I slept like a baby and woke up ready for a new adventure.
Our tour today was actually better than yesterday's. We started out with a hike in a place called Rose Valley which allowed us to see many cave dwellings along the rosy canyon. Afterwards, we were taken to the underground city of Cappadocia.
It was seriously one of the most impressive things I have ever seen. We were free to explore the underground city where thousands of people lived for hundreds of years. So cool!
The day ended quickly and it wasn't long before we were on another night bus and on our way to Ephesus...
Our tour today was actually better than yesterday's. We started out with a hike in a place called Rose Valley which allowed us to see many cave dwellings along the rosy canyon. Afterwards, we were taken to the underground city of Cappadocia.
It was seriously one of the most impressive things I have ever seen. We were free to explore the underground city where thousands of people lived for hundreds of years. So cool!
The day ended quickly and it wasn't long before we were on another night bus and on our way to Ephesus...
Turkey Day 2 - Cappadocia
Shortly after hopping on the bus, we realized we had nothing; no voucher, no receipt... Nothing haha
We freaked out a bit, but decided it'd work out. So how were we supposed to know where to get off the bus without a ticket? We guessed and ended up in a small town near Cappadocia. The information office couldn't help us because we knew nothing, but he let us charge my phone in hopes that 1) it would work and 2) that the travel agent sent us an email with details. Neither happened... My phone kept crashing, as it had been since I got to Turkey, and we found no email. So, we were stuck. But, after a few more minutes, the phone at the info center rang and said a car would be coming for us. How they new where we were still remains a mystery...
The car took us to our cave hotel (very fitting since Cappadocia is famous for its array of ancient cave dwellings). From there we started our tour. On the tour we were shown various cave dwellings and cave churches from over 4,000 yeas ago! It was incredible. We were shown many breathtaking views and rock formations and taken to various local shops. We saw how ancient pottery was made and how Turkish carpets are made.
This fun and interesting day ended with a bottle of wine, hookah, and relaxation on our upper terrace where one can see a beautiful moonlit valley and hear Islamic prayers echoing throughout the canyons... Great day!
We freaked out a bit, but decided it'd work out. So how were we supposed to know where to get off the bus without a ticket? We guessed and ended up in a small town near Cappadocia. The information office couldn't help us because we knew nothing, but he let us charge my phone in hopes that 1) it would work and 2) that the travel agent sent us an email with details. Neither happened... My phone kept crashing, as it had been since I got to Turkey, and we found no email. So, we were stuck. But, after a few more minutes, the phone at the info center rang and said a car would be coming for us. How they new where we were still remains a mystery...
The car took us to our cave hotel (very fitting since Cappadocia is famous for its array of ancient cave dwellings). From there we started our tour. On the tour we were shown various cave dwellings and cave churches from over 4,000 yeas ago! It was incredible. We were shown many breathtaking views and rock formations and taken to various local shops. We saw how ancient pottery was made and how Turkish carpets are made.
This fun and interesting day ended with a bottle of wine, hookah, and relaxation on our upper terrace where one can see a beautiful moonlit valley and hear Islamic prayers echoing throughout the canyons... Great day!
Turkey Day 1 - Istanbul and a Crazy Taxi
Looks like I took a ride on the Orient Express!
We spent about an hour socializing with a man from Kansas who one day decided to pack up his things and travel the world. Apparently he has been traveling for about two years now. Anyways, we decided to hit the road to see the sites...
We saw many tourist attractions; the two most amazing being the Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque. We even got to watch a prayer in the Blue Mosque. Normally tourists are kicked out, but we acted interested in the religion to enter and watch ;). It was really cool watch.
Me in front of the Hagia Sofia...
Hagia...
Me in front of the Hagia again...
One last view of the Hagia...
The Blue Mosque from afar...
The Blue Mosque again...
Outside of the Blue Mosque - I really like this picture!
Inside the Blue Mosque...
The backside of the Blue Mosque...
When evening came, we headed to the Gran Bazaar, a giant market place. I contemplated buying a Hookah, but didn't because I decided my lungs would thank me later.
After we left the Bazaar, we popped into a travel agency to inquire about the costs of renting a car, as we wanted to go to Cappadocia and Ephesus. He told us it wouldn't be worth it and quickly told us about an all inclusive tour package that would cost 500€. We started laughing and so he got serious and started hammering away at the calculator. He then proceeded to tell us that for 190€ we could do the whole three day and four night trip; but, he told us that the bus would leave in only an hour. After quick calculations in our heads, Luiggi and I figured that it'd be much cheaper than renting a car. So, we booked it and then literally booked it to the hostel to shower and gather our things.
As usual, we were pressed for time, so we had to run back to the travel agency (ten minutes away) to have him hold the bus. We called a cab who was instructed by the agent to hurry up, which he did because he drove like a madman- weaving in and out of cars and almost getting in a million accidents!
Upon arrival, the whole bus company was waving us to run to the bus that was literally backing out of its space. We flagged it down and stopped the bus. Everyone was laughing, but we made it!
We really have to stop being so late (although this time it wasn't our fault)...
Two more random photos from that day...
Underground Watershed...
Medusa holding up a pillar in the underground watershed...
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Turkish Border - Giris
Just got my visa and passport stamp at the Turkish border!
My First Sleeper Car Ever! It was so much more comfortable than a the buses!
Remember the Orient Express?
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