Sunset Over the Blue Mosque
We leave Plovdiv early and hit the road to Istanbul, pausing only get lost on a diversion round the new motorway currently under construction. The main problem with taking the wrong road in a 52 seater bus is that, inevitably the road you end up on is not suitable for buses and there is no possibility to turn round. Daenes is taking every opportunity to improve his 3 point turn skills.
We hit the early evening rush hours as we arrive in Istanbul. The Turkish drivers know no fear and shamelessly take on the bus, accelerating quickly, then pulling sharply in front of it, only to brake for the traffic in front. Who said 'Might is right'? It certainly didn't get as far as Istanbul.The sun is setting as we run along the Bosphorus, seeking our entry into the old town. The satnav says left, but Daenes does not believe we can get the bus up such a narrow road, especially as traffic is coming down. We carry on looking for an entry but it is too late and we are already on the Galata bridge to the other side. At the front of the bus, we are all backseat drivers offering advice on suitable places to turn and after taking several deviations down side streets, finally manage to do a U-turn on the highway. We try again for the small alley, and Daenes is encouraged by several coaches seen coming out of it. Holding up the traffic, we make our play to go up. At the top, the satnav says turn right. The road says No entry. We are forced to turn left into an even narrower lane with traffic coming both ways. It is impossible to get through. Passersby add their supportive advice and comments. Through it all Daenes does his best to remain calm but he is running out of hours and patience. Some kind soul holds up the traffic whilst our driver attempts to reverse around higgledy piggledy parked cars and into the oncoming cars and busses of the 1 way street. We head back looking for our entry and finally make it to the Little Bazaar and round to the Orient Hostel. Phew. .The hostel is one of the most basic we have been in but my heart soars and I shed a small tear of emotion as I step out on to the bar balcony and inhale the essence of Istanbul as I look down on the bustling street cafes and shops. I love this city.
We hit the early evening rush hours as we arrive in Istanbul. The Turkish drivers know no fear and shamelessly take on the bus, accelerating quickly, then pulling sharply in front of it, only to brake for the traffic in front. Who said 'Might is right'? It certainly didn't get as far as Istanbul.The sun is setting as we run along the Bosphorus, seeking our entry into the old town. The satnav says left, but Daenes does not believe we can get the bus up such a narrow road, especially as traffic is coming down. We carry on looking for an entry but it is too late and we are already on the Galata bridge to the other side. At the front of the bus, we are all backseat drivers offering advice on suitable places to turn and after taking several deviations down side streets, finally manage to do a U-turn on the highway. We try again for the small alley, and Daenes is encouraged by several coaches seen coming out of it. Holding up the traffic, we make our play to go up. At the top, the satnav says turn right. The road says No entry. We are forced to turn left into an even narrower lane with traffic coming both ways. It is impossible to get through. Passersby add their supportive advice and comments. Through it all Daenes does his best to remain calm but he is running out of hours and patience. Some kind soul holds up the traffic whilst our driver attempts to reverse around higgledy piggledy parked cars and into the oncoming cars and busses of the 1 way street. We head back looking for our entry and finally make it to the Little Bazaar and round to the Orient Hostel. Phew. .The hostel is one of the most basic we have been in but my heart soars and I shed a small tear of emotion as I step out on to the bar balcony and inhale the essence of Istanbul as I look down on the bustling street cafes and shops. I love this city.
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