Istanbul/Ethiopia/Azerbaijan Day 1

February 24, 2016

Of I go! After reading a wonderful article in National Geographic several years go...Lalibela , Ethiopia was a must. The ancient rock churches were drawing me. Also, a final piece to a puzzle started in 2008, I completed my Caucasus trio. I finally made it to Azerbaijan. Most can't say it's name or no where it is...but I do and there is much to see, Ethiopia and Azerbaijan would become my country #98 and #99 respectively.

I had been a but nervous regarding this trip, Ethiopia especially. The extreme remoteness and lack of infrastructure would push even me, I knew I'd be fine but what new challenges await. No sissy boy here...bring it on.

I'd packed with only a carry on and a backpack. I needed this to be easy.

There was a new girl at checkin and she was confused by my itinerary. I tried to explain ,y layover but someone came to assist her getting me checked in all the way to Addis Ababa.

Security had to open my bag and check my box of pro bars and my protein powder...very suspicious.

The flight took off on time ( 10:55pm departure ) and as the flight wasn't full, I moved to a spot where I could have two seats to contort myself into. Better than one, but only a little. I'll take it.

The meal was edible as Turkish Air has better food than most. No movie for me. I did me best to sleep. I think I did get about 4+ hours.

We were awakened early for breakfast (noonish) as we would be landing at 2:30pm instead of 3;30 pm...awesome!

VISA upon arrival for Turkey and now it's done by kiosk, much faster. The price has changed to $20.70 up from 10€ in 2008. The whole process was very fast and I was in the meeting hall by 2:40pm. I looked for my transport but no signs with my name on it.

I waited until about 3:00 and then called the guest house. Within 5 minutes there was someone there to assist.

It was a cool day in Istanbul...hadn't planned on that. The drive into the city was moving along well even though it was typical crazy Istanbul traffic.

I knew we were close as I could see the water and then Blue Mosque appeared. We naked thought the tiny streets of Sultanahmet and then we had to stop. The street was too narrow and I had to walk the rest of the way, it was a quantity cobbled stone street with colorful buildings and a plant here and there.

A very friendly young guy assisted me and got me settled. I sorted out my backpack and off I went. This is such a great location

The guest house is on the back side of Blue Mosque so it was a quick walk around it to get to it, Hagia Sophia and the hippodrome. The mosque was closed to tourists, HS was closed and the hippodrome was just empty. A guy pleaded with me to come to his carpet shop as he had no customers. I told him I had already a carpet and a killim from Turkey. I was set. He kept trying but...no.

I took a leisurely walk around the grand architecture standing in opposition to one another with radically different histories. Hagia is over 1600 years old to Blue which is 500. It makes makes American architectural history seem like a blip.

From there I continued the long trek to the waterfront along the Bosphorus. What a dramatic view across to the Asian side of Turkey and then looking back at the mosques on the hill. What an amazing view that Istanbul constantly provides.

I sipped in a little shop at the waterfront and found a couple of treasures. I bought a ceramic dervish gown in green with design on the front and a black metal silhouette of the Galata Tower.

I continued on and walked across the bridge across the Bosphorus from Europe to Asia. That was a first. The view looking back was amazing, the mosques and fortresses and ferries in the water...quite a sight,

It was very cool now and equally breezy, I walked a fast walk back to Sultanahmet and to Blue Kitchen. I stopped in and had some fresh hummus, Cicik ( tzatziki , flatbread and local red wine. An outside table with a heat lamp made it all possible. It was a nice relaxing moment. :-)

The walk back provided wonderful views of HS and BM. I did such a great job of navigating Istanbul (with no map) during the afternoon and evening that I was over confident. I was fine unto the little streets between Blue Mosque and the Bosphorus. I got majorly lost. I tries calling the guest house but the guy didn't know the area...really?! One and a half hours later, I found my way. The last 5 minutes was with the assistance of a nice guy who kept telling me to come to his restaurant once I was settled.

I was happy to be back in the room. I had walked many miles and even though it felt great to be outside and waking, I was beat. Upon sitting in the bed trying to blog, it hit me, LAG! I did get most of my blog written, took a much needed shower, and tried to organize for the next day. By the time I was finished, it was 1:30am...ugh!

Istanbul, It felt like a friend welcoming me back. It really surprised me how easily I remember my way around, mostly, I loved my walk along the Bosphorus and across the bridge connecting Europe and Asia. The ceramic dervish costume is really very interesting, classic but with a tulip in the lower part. Also, witnessing the grandeur of Blue Mosque and Ayasofya. Standing between the two and thinking about there histories - wonderful connection and memories.