Impressions of Istanbul

      As soon as I got settled into my hostel I posted my last post and sent a few emails home to let everyone know I was safe and sound.  I didn't want to spend too long doing all of that because it was already 5:30 by then and I needed to get supper.  I also knew I would probably be back tonight posting again all my adventures since then.

     To make my job easier, here is an edited snippet from the emails I sent home summarizing what happened since my flights:

     Update from Istanbul - 5:40 pm (10:40 am EST) I arrived safely. The plane from Rome to Istanbul was delayed a little due to weather (i'm not sure what weather though; it was clear skies the whole way there). We touched down at 2:20 pm local time, and I was out of the airport quickly. I took the public transit to Sultanahmet (the historic neighborhood; also, why don't we hrave better public transportation in the states? I know in the bigger cities there generally is decent public transit, but I feel like other cities could really improve their systems).  I got mildly lost while walking from the tram to the hostel I wanted to stay at, but finally did get here by 5ish. I took a while to settle in, get organized, and take a shower. I'm about to go out for dinner. I'm feeling much better now that I am finally here and no longer travelling. It also helps that I'm sitting on the rooftop terrace of the hostel I am staying at. Its a gorgeous view. It seems like a very nice hostel, especially considering the price.

     Since that update I went and had some kebap for supper (the one I had was interesting.  Not my favorite, but still a decent dinner in its own right.  I also might just not be to excited for the  particular variety I had). After that I wandered around Sultanahmet for a while, eventually ending back up at the hostel.  I am quite exhausted from today (really the past two days where I got no good sleep) so I think I am going to go to bed soon even though it's only 9:30.  Hooray for jetlag :-)

     Anyway, the real reason I wanted to write this update was to write down some quick impressions of Istanbul after only a few hours:

1) As I mentioned previously, I really appreciate the public transportation here.  It was really easy to get from the airport to Sultanahmet.  The tokens were even transferable between the tram and the metro system.  Good job Istanbul.
2) I took a <i>hot</i> shower when I got to my hostel!  Maybe this isn't too special, but when my comparison for international travel is 3 months in Guatemala, I wasn't expecting too much (Don't get me wrong, I love Guatemala.  I hope to go back some day.)
3) Everybody here smokes.  Ok, not everybody, but it feels like it.  I guess I especially notice this since South Bend became a smoke-free city.
4) The people here are friendly.  Maybe I just notice it more because I don't have an agenda, but I stopped and talked to two different people when they decided to talk to me as I walked past.  I don't remember that happening in Guatemala, though.  If somebody talked to you there, they usually wanted to sell you something. Okay, one of the two people here wanted me to stay at his hotel, but I had a conversation about other things as well in the meantime and he offered me a cigarette.  I turned it down and tried to get to the hostel I wanted to get to quickly, but I don't remember that in Guatemala.
5) I know absolutely no Turkish.  Maybe someday I will understand it.  But right now it seems very difficult.  Even my Spanish doesn't seem to help any more than my English when I try to understand things.  And as far as communicating, English serves me well enough.
6) The weather here is wonderful.  Perhaps a bit cool for my taste, but I can't complain too much when "a bit cool for my taste" means it is in the 60s.  Maybe I am getting ahead of myself and I hit a day with good weather, but the impression I get is that today isn't particularly extraordinary.

     That's all for now.  I need to get some sleep and catch back up on this jetlag.