Vancouver to Istanbul

Sep 28, 2017 to Sept 30, 2017

The trip started off with a bang!  A 7 hours delay due to “mechanical problems”.  Finally they sent everyone home, that is if you had a local home.  Visiting tourists were put up in hotels, but as far out as Abbotsford. as "no room at the inn" closer to the airport.  Our taxi to Ladner was $60 one way and the Abbotsford ones were $225, without commuter traffic; I’d hate to see what their return trip cost.  Lufthansa promised to reimburse everyone for their expenses.  Found out later the mechanical problems were due to two Canada geese that got into the engines as the plane was landing the day before and they needed to clean them out.

Sept 29/30, Friday/Saturday

Due to our delay we missed our connecting flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul but did get there a full day later.  We lost one night of the two we had pre-booked for the Istanbul hotel so will try to claim that as well.  Our room had the same fantastic view of the Blue Mosque as my previous visits but the lighting was poor this time with heavy mist and rain.  Still went out to give Mike a chance to see The Blue Mosque and the Aya Sophia, then the next morning walked in the rain down to the Golden Horn and the Spice Market.  Wonderful smells, sounds, lively action.  Yes the vendors were shilling and trying to entice you into their shop with some free Turkish Delight or a glass of Apple tea, hoping you would feel obligated to buy.  We did get caught once but quickly got out of it when we were led into their back room to take look at their Turkish carpets.  Got out of the market without making any enemies.  Worked  our way back up the hill through a maze of little alleyways, including  a few dead ends, but eventually got back to the hotel, where we picked up luggage and off to the airport.  

Istanbul has a very vibrant vibe and like Paris, has lots of young people out at all hours and most spoke some English., if not very well.  Rain was no problem for them.  We noticed that very few people wear runners - - - men wear stylish leather shoes and even with all the cobblestone roads the ladies were in fashionable high heels.  No Gore-Tex jackets here!  Elegant evening wear or smart suits for work.  There is lots of construction going on, particularly high end condos along the waterfront.  City looks very prominent, much more forward looking than my last visit here 12 years ago.  Would have loved to stay here much longer as there are so many unique things and places to see.