ISTANBUL - Pilgrimage aftermath

I have to apologize to all those folks who came to the site to hear about my travels and there was no news. Turkey proved waaaay too difficult to negotiate the internet in all the various cities we were visiting, at the pace we were going and all the activities we were fitting in daily. You'll have to wait to read about the sites and sensations as they are slowly integrated into my life and words.

So almost the entire gang left this morning on their flight back to Chicago. There were nine of us out of the 30 that stayed behind for extra time. I changed hotels leaving the historic and very touristy Sultanahmet, crossing over the Bosphorus Rıver to the area called Galata, making my way up to Begolyu and Taxım. Stıll lots of out of town travellers, but the prices for everything are at least 30% cheaper.

So where to begin speaking about the benefits of pilgrimage?

One thıng to always be aware of is that when one sets and intention, the opposite of the intention will be called up to be challenged. And although the journey itself went without me having to crawl in the psychological muck the end of pilgrimage slammed me pretty hard. I was completely blindsided late this morning and spent most of the day re-gaining my equilibrium. Knowing its all good. The pilgrimage was all about love so it made sense I was being called to love more deeply and to love unconditonally.

Much more to digest yet and the journey continues.

Istanbul - Day Two

Never one to begin at the beginningş I wıll begin the Trıp blog on day two. Actually spent 18 hours ın Kuala Lumpur on a stop over en route to Turkey and what a time that was!

I had hoped to swim and bathe with the elephants at an Elephant sanctuary outsıde Kuala Lumpur, but alas it was a Malaysian pubic holiday (Freedom Day) and because no one else was going on the tour the guide was demanding I pay for two passengers, instead of just me. That would have put me back in excess of $200 US. I had to make a quick decision and unfortunately the elephants are going to have to wait.

But it ıs day two in Istanbul and I've just finished an hour in Istanbul's oldest Hamman, Cağaloğlu Hamamı built in 1741. And for those not in the know, a hamman (aka Turkish bath) is a Muslim ritual of bathing that both the men and women would do prior to going to mosque to pray.

A woman attendent fırst splashed my entire body wıth warm water, then lay me down gently on the marble slab ın a rotunda room. Then she dry scrubbed me with a loofah type glove, and lathered me up with soap both front and back. Once rinsed off she then massaged me from head to toe, leaving only my girl bits untouched. Professionally and yet with warmth and kindness she scraped away the dirt of yesterday leaving me more fully present to face today.

Having only arrived in Istanbul yesterday I already feel as though I know Sulanahmet, the area where I am staying, quite well. The city overall feels small enough to navigate yet bustling over with energy and colour. The shops seem to repeat themselves and there's only so many kebap and balklava shops one can take in.

Yesterday I took the tram from Sultanahmet station across the Galata bridge to venture into less touristy territory. Once over the bridge I hopped off the train to begin the trek up Istikal Cad where I walked and walked and walked. For over two hours I window shopped ın Istanbul's more hıp and contemporary neıghborhood where few tourists seem to venture. I then met up with a friend of my cousin's, Cynthıa Mandarsky who ıs a New York filmmaker currently livıng ın Istanbul. We met in the front of the Galata Kulası or the Galata Palace the oldest stone structure ın Istanbul to then walk around the corner to have dinner at her friend's very quaint restaurant.

I hopped a cab back to the hotel after dinner to lay my head down on a pillow properly for the first time in 48 hours. Bliss.

Fırst ımpressions of Istanbul. Wow. What a fabulous, alıve, ıntrıcate, complex and big city. I arrived at 6 a.m. in the morning and like any city at that hour its like seeing a middle aged woman without her make up on yet. There is an innocence and vulnerability to the streets before they become peopled with the hussle and bustle. After about 9 a.m. though the painted mask goes on, the flexing of the muscle begins, the shops open, the wares spill out onto the streets and then men begin to glare at the long blond hair.

I feel comfortable and safe. Other than the obligatory Turkish coffee and the tram token I haven't had need yet to spend any money untıl the Hamman just now. Breakfast comes wıth the prıce of the hotel room at the nıcely appointedö quaint Arcadia Hotel, so so far I've been making my shopping list ın my mind.

The group arrives today in a few hours and honestly I'm looking forward to the company. I'm tired of myself and would like to begin a bit more purposeful travel. I have saved going to the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sofia because we will be having a tour guide and I didn't want to pay any admission prices twice.

I'd love to hear from others what their ımpressions of Istanbul are. I look forward to searching out the favorite baklava shop my friend Wendy send me the address to. Also coming to a new country for the first time only ever happens once and I am thrilled to be here. We have a rooftop Cafe where we breakfast and I'll download some photos from there later.

Internet availability is going to be a bit hit and miss, especially as we leave the City, and there seems to be a glitch to me signing onto my blog for some reason. I had to take a circuitous route to get here today, so be patient as we venture along. As well I'm sure you've noticed that some of the i's are dotted and some are not. The vagaries of using a Turkish keyboard.

Until tomorrow.