Well, we were cutting it short in terms of catching our Brussels flight to Istanbul from Singapore. Our plane was delayed another 70 minutes setting our layover to 30 minutes. We landed on schedule, although the plane doors closed before we arrived at the gate. Shit! Although to be positive, with one door closing another one opens.
Istanbul airport is chaotic, people everywhere with their own agendas to get to and from their flights. We sauntered to the airline help desk, they took our boarding passes and were told to wait. Now, if you don’t ask you don’t get. Be a squeaky wheel but subtle. Ie Wait next to the Helpdesk and be visual so you are not forgotten. Therefore, not out of sight and not out of mind. That should work to get immediate results. However, some can take it as being a pest, so three hours later we were booked on the next flight in 24 hours. Now, we were put into the system for free overnight accommodation and meals. Thanks Turkish Airlines I always wanted to visit Istanbul. The minus out of this was that we needed to pay for an entry visa (50eu) and our check in baggage was to stay at the airport.
Always pack undies in your carry on. I should have listened to my wife’s advice but Nooo! I’m an idiot. She had a complete change of clothes in hers of course. We took the 45 min bus to Esenyurt (city suburb of Istanbul) The Days Hotel is across the street to the Esenyurt University. It was 11 pm so as soon as we entered the 14th floor room, we were asleep. The next morning our window treated us to a wonderful view of the city. The older buildings were below us and on the verge was the new and modern designed fixtures at our level. (photo). Looking back, the view of Istanbul from the plane presented a planned, symmetric layout of buildings and roads. It’s like every building was made by the same architecture.
It was Sunday and we didn’t have much time before we needed to return to the airport so we hobbled down to the Esenyurt city square for a coffee and sat outside on a garden ledge. I was excited, this whole day wasn’t planned, so a little impromptu can be fun. I was fascinated by the Sunday wanderers. Sons and daughters riding scooters, mothers pushing their prams and lots of old men reminiscing in their own thoughts. This scene isn’t uncommon but a reminder that humans have similar interests. All we could do was watch, knowing that 24 hours ago we were in a different city and this was completely random place to be. A special moment. Perusing the shops regardless of the written Turkish language, knowing its contents. Starbucks, Burger King, Cafes and famous shoe stores. Even in this part of the world, these icons survive. Next up, finally made it to Belgium.
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