Flight was fine, once we landed we had to
buy a visa which I guess I didn't technically know we had to do. Ally was quite happy that Canada visa was triple the price of a USA
visa...Not! After we got our bags, we walked out through customs and saw soooooooo
many people with signs waiting for people. Ally and I walked by and someone
shouted, are you Matt?! It was hilarious as amazing! Our CS did a good
job finding us! Maybe my yellow shorts gave it away
July 14:
Good sleep. Good morning Istanbul Turkey!!
Went for breakfast, had Turkish coffee, a pastry, and a potato flat bread like thing.
Small Bus
View from our street
Area we stayed in
Now to explore more of the city!
Turkey Flag
Random fact: In parts of Turkey it is acceptable to marry your cousin.
Went to the Bazaar- Turkish delights!! How could I describe them? Hmm... Delightful?
Yum
Went to explore more of the city.
Mosque
He has my sunnies on!
Then off to one of the most famous landmarks of Istanbul: The Blue Mosque
Ally and I
Quite impressive
Close up
Covering up out of respect
Crazy detail
Impressive
It says wish you were here...?
Washing off hands and feet before and after prayer
Went to see a few more sites.
Yet another Mosque!
Turkish Bath
Ally and I thought this was the funniest thing ever
Ally and I then came up with ideas for a t-shirt.
Tourism Police:
1. Don’t stop in the middle of a sidewalk
2. Put away your maps
3. Lower your voice
4. Learn some of their language
5. Not everyone needs to know you’re
American
6. Use your brain
7. Five photos of the same thing is just
too much
Lovely Istanbul
Europe/Asia
Trying to take it in
Loving it
Asia?
We then wen to Taxim square for another authentic Turkish dinner.
Not busy at all
Turkish ice cream
I love old tram cars!
So wish I would have eaten here. Health food+ Public Transportation= Matt
We had to
While walking down the street, we stopped to get wifi for just a moment. I got an email, found out I am top of my class at UCF for graduation!!! Honestly couldn't believe it. So excited!! All my hard work paid off!
Met up with our couchsurfers friend who also had other CS staying at his place. Penthouse top floor insane view of the the city at night. Overlooked to the Asia side. Two more CS showed up so there was a total of eight of us staying there! Enjoyed each others company. Wow, do I love couchsurfing! So many experiences that just wouldn't happen without this amazing organization.
Europe/Asia Bridge
View from the penthouse
July 15: Woke up extremely early and saw the sunrise!
Good morning Turkey!
Great sunrise!
One of my favorites
Took a little nap
and then back to our actual CS house to sleep a bit more and then woke
up to the Sweden couchsurfers making a vegan lunch for us! Next mission was to go to
the Asia side for part of the day. Weird that its actually Asia. Istanbul is divided into the European and Asia side.
Had to
Asia side
Giant Flag
After walking around and exploring for awhile we took the ferry back to European side and had some traditional Turkish chai tea. Little did I know this would be the first of many!
Great tea
Then
our next mission was to go to The Grand Bazaar! It was grand and it was
bizarre. Let's just say, by the end, Ally and I had no Tlyra left! Bought a lot of stuff!
Everything is crazy cheap here! I am quite the bargainer and ended up
spending even less because as I would walk away, they would finally
agree upon my price. Everyone thought Ally and I were dating too!
Outside the Bazaar
Ally meeting Ali! Look how happy they are!
Amazing ceraics
After our shopping expedition, Ally and I worked out quite the appetite. Had dinner, Turkish pizza which is like cheesy breadsticks and then some chicken kebabs! You are oblivious to how delicious it was. And guess what, its Friday AND a full moon!
Full moon
After two days in Istanbul, Ally and I were missing the
beach and water. We knew we wanted to spend a few days outside of
Istanbul anyhow. We did a bit of research and had heard great things
about Antalya on the southern coast of Turkey. Quite spontaneously we
decided to pack up and head to the bus station in hopes that there was a
late night bus we would take. Success! We got on a bus at midnight and
arrived the next morning! Istanbul is an absolutely great city, but it's so busy and we were so used to relaxing by the water!
Got on the bus that left at midnight! Slept most of the way!
July 16: Arrived in the fifth largest city in Turkey: Antalya. The beach resort town of Turkey!! Met Volkan and his dad and went to lunch where he treated us. I swear Ally and I don't spend any money, make any dinner, or even clean up the dishes. They refuse to let us do anything! Treated way too well! We dropped off our bags at their house and immediately went to the beach! Was a high of 45 which is over 100 degrees!!! INSANE! Thankfully there was a breeze! Spent all day there!
Breathtaking
Just what we wanted
Wish I were there right now
Jumping!
Mediterranean Plank
Wave Plank
After a day at the beach, we walked to an amazing restaurant for dinner and then went right back to the beach around 10 pm. Got some fruit to eat on the beach beforehand! Beach was still busy with people and a lot of swimmers! The day after the full moon and the water was illuminated from it. Was still around 28 or so degrees and the water felt great! Wasn't even cold when we got out of the water!
Having a blast in the water at night
Full moon and the sea
July 17: Woke up after an amazing sleep. Ally and I had a very dark room and AC! Rare in Europe! Volkan made us an authentic Turkish breakfast; eggs, olives, cheese, bread, and coffee. What were the plans for today? Hmm... How about the beach! Might see the city and go to a Turkish bath even later!
Guys having a blast dancing
Loving being on the beach
Amazing tattoo I drew for Ally
After the beach, we then went to an amazing Turkish bath!!! I could go on and on about this. But watch the video to hear all about it! All I can say is that I highly suggest it and although a bit uncomfortable at first, I am beyond glad I did it.
July 18: Another day at the beach! Ally and I just couldn't get enough! Took a bus later that evening which arrived in Istanbul at 5 am!
July 19: Got on our flight to Munich and spent the day enjoying the city. My last day in Europe.. so surreal. Detelin, my amazing CS from Munich gladly met Ally and I at the train station after we had coffee and enjoyed the amazing weather. We also met another fellow couchsurfer who was staying at Detelin's that night as well! First stop: beer garden.
Beer Plank
After hanging out for awhile, Ally had to catch a train back to the airport to fly to Iceland that evening!
My great travel partner!
After Ally left, the other CS and I stayed up all night. Went to a few clubs and before I knew it, it was time to head back to grab all my stuff.
Detelin took me to the airport at 5 a.m. Couldn't believe I was on my way home after such a great time.
Checked my GIANT bags and go on my flight to London. I fell asleep immediately while on the flight and an hour later, I woke up to our plane pulling back into the same gate we just left from. Someone on our flight was really sick and they had to take them off the flight. Took a small nap on the flight to London. Flew right over London, saw Big Ben, London Eye, Tower Bridge, and even part of Olympics for 2012.
Once I was in London I became very stressed in the GIANT London airport. I arrived and hour late, so only have 1 hour to make my connection which I would have assumed would have been plenty of time. Little did I know I had to go through three security checks and check into my American Airline flight despite already having my boarding pass printed out. Made no sense out all. I let them know there was no way I would be able to make my flight, so they got me to the front of the line and proceeded to ask me so many stupid security questions. Ran to my gate and boarded my flight. Such a relief to be on the final flight and get some much needed rest!
On my flight. Sleep, eat, sleep, eat, sleep. Woke up to use descending down over downtown Chicago. Filled out my customs forms, got off the flight, went through customs, baggage claim and then what I had been looking forward to: FAMILY!
Back in the United States! One last summary blog post to wrap up my indescribable experience of a lifetime!
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