Istanbul

With roughly 25 Million People and the only city located on two continents Instanbul is the largest City we have visited on our trip so far.

For this adventure, we set out from Sofia to Halkali on the overnight train. A spectacular train ride through the magnificent landscapes of Bulgaria and Turkey. The experience was slightly dampened by the fact that it was dark and you couldn't see shit outside the window. So, we had to talk to our fellow travellers. One girl from Indonesia, very interesting but not as communicative and one guy from the exotic city of Münster (a lot less interesting but more communicative and very nice). The Turkish Train was great, we slept great, so all great. An indulging experience was the border control. Let me set the scene: You are deep in the land of dreams rocketed to sleep by the slight rumbling of the train, when at 4:30 am a grumpy conductor hammers on the door screams "border control" and slouches on. So, you have to fall out of your top bunk bed collect all your luggage, try not to severely injure anyone else in the 5 sqm compartment and leave the train. There you have to stand in line with equally awake human beings to show your passport and get your luggage X-rayed. Overall, a very pleasant experience.

At 7:30 am we arrived at Halkali. For all of you who lack the geographical knowledge about the train stations in Istanbul: That is the one on the European side. The train stations are on the edge of town so our hostel was not within walking distance. Even with our bad judgment of how far we can walk. So, we, plus the guy from Münster, took the Metro to the city centre (lost the guy from Münster) and made our way to the hostel. The Wabi Sabi Hostel is amazing. We even got breakfast that morning and a four-bed dorm we had for ourselves for the first night. That might possibly be due to the fact that we messed up our booking, but let's not linger on that.

After the wonderous effects of a shower and an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, we walked to the old town. There we took part in a free walking tour. The day was rainy and a bit chilly so the other participants were all backpackers and mostly from our hostel and a lot of Americans. We had a lot of fun, our guide not so much. We talked way to much amongst ourselves for her liking.

After three history-packed

hours, the group (without the guide, I think she was disgruntled that we didn't directly sign up for her Bosporus Tour) went to a Baklava Place. The sweets were better than expected. They tasted only majorly and not entirely like sugar and fat. So, a win. After that, the two of us went back to the hostel to do our laundry and get our free sangria on the rooftop. The evening was mostly very nice, talked to a lot of great people. In retrospect the experience is slightly dampened by the tragedy that occurred during that time, which we only fully realised a couple of days later: we lost 4 socks in the laundry! That is one pair each! That is a big deal! At that rate, we have no socks left when we arrive in Vietnam.

Tuesday, October 17

The dawn of the following day arrived, casting its gentle embrace upon the realm of dreams, and we, weary travellers of destiny, permitted ourselves the luxury of slumber. Beneath the golden rays of the morning sun, we indulged in a lavish repast, savouring the delights of a hearty breakfast :). It was a prelude to the enchantment that awaited us, for Istanbul, a city of majesty and wonder, beckoned.

Within the heart of this magnificent metropolis lay a marvel that set it apart from the mundane world—a network of ferries, and celestial vessels that traversed the waters of the Bosporus as part of their public transport system. With hearts brimming with anticipation, we embarked upon one such ferry, bound for the enigmatic lands beyond.

As the ferry gently touched the shores of the Asian Continent, our footsteps graced the soil of this mystical realm for the first time. We ventured into the labyrinthine streets of the bustling markets. Here, we partook of fragrant Turkish tea and savoured a fish roll at the bustling docks, our senses intoxicated by the flavours of this far-off land.

The afternoon unfolded, and we found ourselves once more in the embrace of Europe, in the resplendent Golden Horn District. Though its beauty was beyond compare, its streets were treacherous, winding upwards toward the heavens. Here, we beheld grand mosques and ancient churches, before we head to the illustrious Grand Bazaar, where treasures from across the world beckoned to us. The Spice Bazaar, too, unfolded its aromatic delights, tempting our senses with exotic fragrances. Yet, as we reminded ourselves that we were the bearers of our own destiny, burdened with the treasures we acquired, we made no purchases.

Our journey continued, taking us in a labyrinthine dance over bridges, as the day waned into evening. When the sun surrendered to the embrace of the night, we ventured within the hallowed halls of the Aya Sofia, an ancient mosque of incomparable grandeur. Its towering domes whispered secrets of civilizations long past, and its magnificence left us humbled in the presence of time's enduring legacy.

Upon our exit from this sacred edifice, we were greeted by the enchanting spectacle of Istanbul at night, its luminous minarets and bustling streets aglow with the enchantment of a thousand stars. It was a sight to stir the soul and etch itself into our memories, a luminous end to a day filled with wonder and discovery.

Wednesday, October 18

In the midst of our meandering journey, a peculiar event transpired that had eluded our grasp time and again: a day of respite, a rare occurrence in our quest. We chose to linger at the breakfast buffet, perched high on the rooftop of our hostel, where travellers' tales danced through the air, secrets hidden in plain sight.

For three hours, we were ensnared by conversations with fellow wanderers, fingers dancing over keyboards as emails were dispatched, and the last chapter of our blog post uploaded. A banquet of snacks laid before us.

Yet, as the shadows lengthened and the day waned, we were beckoned once more to the ferry docks. The Bosporus was our next destination, where we were drawn into the mesmerizing embrace of a breathtaking landscape. Raindrops, like whispered confidences, broke the tranquillity, but we cared not, clad in our rain jackets, the chill a mere triviality.

Our arrival at Emirgan was shrouded in mystery, a downpour veiling the streets. Seeking sanctuary, we sought refuge in a waterfront café, where secrets were shared over cups of tea and coffee.

The ferry bore us back to the city's heart, where roasted corn became our sustenance. We advanced to the fabled Blue Mosque, its grandeur a mystery unfathomable. Yet, the hands of fate had conspired against us; the doors remained sealed to visitors on that enigmatic day. Through a window, we glimpsed the temple's secrets, its beauty an enigma forever out of reach.

We ventured back to our hostel, our bags laden with provisions for the impending train ride. At last, we dined in a trodden-down bistro on the way.

The next day we departed for our next stop: Ankara, where our adventure will continue.