Fun in the snow

December 31, 2015

Apparently, Istanbul gets snow several times a year. I haven't seen snow plows, but the cars seem to go up and down the narrow streets to turn a lot of it into slush. And people do clear their sidewalks. Sand or salt would help a lot, though. The sidewalks are ceramic tile, so they're very slippery. This morning, after breakfast, I walked to the market to buy some fruit and yogurt. I found the market just fine, but got totally lost coming back. Things look very different in the snow than they do in the summer. It was kind of good to walk around the neighborhood. Everyone was having fun in the snow. Some boys were building a fort. It was cute - with Turkish flags. I asked to take their photo. Then they offered to take mine. 

There were two Turkish girls having a snowball fight. 

Then I found my way back to the hotel, left the food and headed to Topkapi. The last time I was here was in May. It was raining and I froze. This time, despite the fact that snow continued to fall all day, I was at least dressed warmly and wasn't too cold. The palace was crowded, but I skipped the first rooms since we saw them last time and went to other rooms further in. They were less crowded. I think people usually start in the first rooms, then when there's too much to see in a day, they skip the others. That's what we did last time. Today, I saw some things that reminded me of the Jerusalem sights. They have Moses' staff. (Isn't it wonderful he left it?  I wonder if it will still part the Dead Sea. )  They also have Mohammed's footprint and a lock of his beard. I definitely think Mohammed wouldn't approve of that. I took a photo of the lock of his beard, but I hadnt realized you're not allowed to take photos in those rooms, so I deleted it. They also have some beautiful jewel encrusted swords and guns. There's even a ceremonial coat of armore. There are also many paintings of the sultans. 

After a while, I was started to get cold and it was around 2:30, so I decided to leave and get lunch. 

I passed a Turkish snowman and got a selfie with him. 

Then I went to a restaurant where they gave me a seat by the fire. And had a delicious lunch of roasted eggplant and lamb with hot spiced wine at Rumeli Cafe. (I saved their card because I liked the place so much). A British couple came in and sat at a table by me, so I was talking to them for a while. Then it was getting late and I was getting tired, so I headed back to the hotel. 

Turkish Airlines and Snowy Istanbul

December 29, 2015

Martha picked me up. We went for dinner and then she took me to the airport. I got to the airport at a time that I thought was early - 7:30 for a flight that leaves at 11:10, but there was already a long line at the Turkish Airlines desk. They had about five people working, so it did move fairly quickly. On this flight, you can't print your boarding pass in advance. You have to go to the desk and show your passport. (No one was interested in seeing my electronic ticket.). Later, at the gate, they announced that anyone who had arrived on a domestic flight connecting to the flight to Istanbul, needed to check in with them at the gate, show their passport, and be issued a new boarding pass. When I went through security, there was a woman in front of me in a burqa. The man who checks passports and boarding passes said he would have to call a woman to look at her face. He called on the phone and someone came fairly quickly. Also, when we were boarding the plane, there was a woman checking passports and boarding passes, and she made the woman in the burqa open the face mask so she could see. 

I've taken Turkish Airlines several times, but I never remember the routine, so this time I will write it down. Shortly after takeoff they brought a hot, wet washcloth. Then they came around with menus. Here's what's on the menu. Dinner is: roasted red pepper salad with olives, chicken Caesar salad, choice of salmon with ratatouille and saffron rice or Turkish minced beef with vegetables and buttered rice, and toffee brownie. You can have a sandwich any time during the night. Before landing, there will be fruit, cheese and scrambled eggs with spinach, grilled tomato and potatoes. Drink choices are whiskey, gin, vodka, raki, red or white wine, beer, sodas, juices, fresh lemonade with mint, coffee or tea. Isn't Turkish Airlines wonderful?

On our seats, there were pillows and blankets. After bringing the menus, they brought little cases with slippers and sleep masks.  I actually managed to sleep a few hours this time. 

Our flight arrived almost an hour early. I went to the ATM, and it was all in Turkish. I asked the people who used the machine before me for help. They had some English and could show me what to do. I actually think they were Germans. The machine had a choice of dollars, euros or Turkish lira. It would probably would have been better to take euros. Then, if I didn't use them in Turkey, I could probably use them in Lebanon, but I had calculated how much money I needed in TL and it would have taken me some time to figure out how many euros I needed. Everyone here tends to give prices in euros. I guess because there are so many European tourists. 

When I got my bag and went out the airport exit, I didn't see my airport pickup with my name. There were MANY names to look at. Some were written in Arabic. I called the hotel and they said they would call my driver. Then I found my name. I think the hotel just hires a service. One man waits for everyone from many hotels and then assigns them to drivers. I think the driver was disappointed that I was only one person. There was plenty of room in the van. I don't know why they didn't add others for nearby hotels. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the hotel from the airport. When we got close to the hotel, it made me happy to see the familiar streets that we walked down many times last May. When I arrived at the hotel, the night guy said that he didn't need to see my passport because I have stayed here before. He didn't want any money yet, either. I'm really tired and I don't feel like going out in the cold and dark. I decided to just eat a protein bar for dinner and go up on the roof for a bottle of water. They keep drinks in a refrigerator up there. You just take what you want and write it on the pad. They add it to your bill at the end. 

I forgot to mention the weather. There was some snow coming down as we were driving from the airport. It's sticking on grassy surfaces, but the streets are just slushy. The hotel guy said they expect more snow tomorrow. I'll ask Harun more about it tomorrow. His English is much better. 

That's about it. Here is a photo from my balcony window.