Departure day and I am really sad to be leaving. I do want to move onto other places but on the other hand would love to stay here as I’m only just getting a feel for Istanbul. My Turkish has really improved, so given another week at least it would be so much better. I have been using it as often as I can – generally the reaction is surprise that I am pronouncing it fairly well. I love the language – if I thought I could even use it in the future I would go to classes.
After taking a few final photographs, buying my fridge magnets (buying one from every country I go to – small thing as a souvenir, cheap and easy to pack), saying goodbye to the people I met in the street, I then headed off via shuttle bus to Ataturk Airport. I know I definitely will come back to Turkey and it won’t be as long as 18 years before I visit again. I will also buy one of the gorgeous carpets!
 |
| Han Hotel, my accommodation in Istanbul |
 |
| Sirkeci Train Station |
Flights back were fairly uneventful except being astounded by the rudeness of some passengers on the flight. It gave me an opportunity to download photos, type up notes for my blog, and make plans for the next countries I will visit.
I am just about half way through my trip!!!! Incredible how fast it is going. I will be in London for the next 2 weeks, enjoying my birthday with friends, cricket at Lords, going to see Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre (has been a dream for a long time), see some sites in London, and have some down time in Farnham. I can honestly say I am not homesick – travelling, especially solo is tiring but it is also invigorating. I really do treasure the opportunities this trip is giving me.
After London I go to Paris with Maria and her mother for a weekend (leaving 11 June), then looking at catching a train to Zurich Switzerland to see Christoph, his daughter and meet his partner. Then, it is onto Prague and Cesky Krumlov, possibly via train, Hungary, and then playing with my friend Al from 25th June in Slovenia and Croatia. Al and I will then travel to Belgium to see Choc and Koen mid July. I am not quite certain now when to fly out of Europe to Asia (I want to spend as much time in Europe as possible but not certain how finances will go), but the plan when I do is to visit Nic in Hong Kong and travel around Malaysia with her for a couple of weeks. It is going to be fabulous travelling with friends!
I made it back safely to Farnham, Olly picked me up at the station and had a lamb roast waiting for dinner! Yum. It is great sharing my travels with Olly as she has been to many of the same places.
No comments:
Post a Comment