Turkey is Impossible to Leave

Day: 35

Jasper and I decided to spend the day following another of Akbars suggestions and take a ferry out to Princess Island, take an hour long walk to the top and have lunch. Since we have been spending too much money lately the 1.5 lire ($1.10) ferry ride and a free walk seemed like a great plan. After an hour long ferry ride we arrived at this little island where the streets have all been torn up for construction. Right out of the ferry we (being obvious foreingers) were instantly hassled but touts trying to get us to take a horse and carriage ride instead of taking the hour long hike. We decided for the hike because of fiduciary reasons and we didn’t want to look gay (not that there is anything wrong with that) taking a carriage ride together.

The island was wonderful and green once we got away from town and we were thankful for getting to walk after all the food we had been eating on the ship. When we arrived at the top we had a spectacular view of all of Istanbul and the little restaurant up there we had been told was wonderful. We had lamb shish kebab, fries, salad, and a bottle of wine. Ill rave about the lamb because it was probably the best meal I have had in all of Turkey (probably because it was meat).

We spent a while up there playing with the cats who kept begging, I wasn’t about to give away any lamb but I tossed them some bread and they ate it right up. Stupid cats. We made our way back down the hill and caught the ferry back so we could attempt to find a way to get out of Turkey (I am hoping to go north to Bulgaria and Jasper is trying to find a flight to Spain).

It’s geography time! Everyone find a map and take a look where Istanbul is. Now it is a huge distance from any city in Europe and almost impossible to get a cheap flight from. Jasper searched and searched (online and the travel agents) but just couldn’t locate anything for less that 200 euros ($240) to Spain and that was more than he was willing to pay. I found overnight bus times to Sofia (8:30pm and 11 pm) but decided to spend another day here than head north (after all they are firebombing busses here so maybI should just fly also). The transportation out of this region seems impossible. It may sound easy but I am just not a good enough writer to convey our frustration (mainly Jaspers, because I have plenty of time). Spent the rest of the day wandering the windy streets of Istanbul finding cheap kebabs for dinner.