My adventurous trip to Delhi began this past Weds, with the first stop Istanbul. However, before I can even begin to talk about the trip I have to touch on my ridiculous last few hours in Israel…

Troubles with the Indian Embassy in Israel and travel office, kept me stressed and agitated up until the last moment, severely limiting my level of excitement. Just hours before my flight was supposed to leave Tel Aviv, I still did not have my passport or visa. It was a fight to get it in time, a fight that left me in tears and hysterics. Apparently, the process in Israel is not straightforward. To get a visa, you can not go directly through the embassy; you MUST use a visa office. Since, I was using an American passport in Israel this caused even more troubles; the visa office had to contact the Indian Embassy in Israel, who then had to contact the Indian Embassy in the US, who could finally clear me for a visa and send back the form to Israel. The whole thing was supposed to take about two weeks, and despite needing to be in Delhi as soon as possible, I patiently waited in Israel the two weeks until it was supposed to be ready. However, the date they claimed it would be ready and the date that it was actually going to be ready on, were very different. And at the end, despite the fact that I received it later than the prescribed date, and not early, they still demanded an expedited fee...almost 200 NIS more than what I was to originally pay. When I tried to argue the logic of the situation, instead of listening to my side like most rational businesses, they became quite hostile and violent, grabbing my passport out of my hand, threatening to lock me in the office and cancel my visa. It was out of control! I have never ever been in such a situation before. Finally, I gave in, agreeing to pay their ridiculous surcharge. But, it couldn’t end that easy… The next obstacle was that they would only accept cash, which of course, since I was leaving the country in an hour I had already gotten rid of. So, off I went to the nearest ATM (on the outside of the building). Unfortunately, I made a huge mistake of taking my passport with me, and when the ATM would not accept my card, my short trip became quite a long voyage (about 30 minutes) in search of a working bank machine. Unaware of how my elongated absence would be construed, I was absolutely shocked to get a phone call on my mobile with the visa office shouting and threatening to cancel the visa if I did not return…IMMEDIATELY! Unreal! Long story short…I found a bank machine, took out money, ran back to the office, threw the money in their face, and ran out as quick as I could. Thanks for your service!

The rest of my rushed morning in Israel involved getting a much awaited Israeli breakfast with friends… For those who don’t know, an “Israeli breakfast” is an experience that everyone should have! =) It involves a wonderful huge spread of delicious and healthy food…eggs, breads, dips, and salad galore! It is, what I believe; besides maybe hummus, Israel is best known for. I have even found in Darmasala, in northern India near the Himalayans, the words “Israeli breakfast” written in a menu. After that, it was quickly packing, grabbing one last falafel, and off to the airport!

The two hour flight to Istanbul, and the whole airport process itself, was relatively pain free…and not very remarkable, which was probably a good thing. I got in around 8pm, and had a good time wandering the airport, changing into warmer clothes, converting my currency, and doing everything in my power to hold myself back from going to the Starbucks. Getting from the airport to the downtown area, where I was hoping to find a hostel, turned out to also be relatively easy. It was slightly unnerving because I had really not planned or prepared much for this leg of my trip. I had no hostel booked, no idea where to go, how to get there, or what to see. I found myself on a metro going in the only direction—away from the airport. I took it to the last stop, and then was informed to transfer to an outside tram for “downtown”. I stepped outside, and was blown away, by a) how cold it was, b) how European it looked, and c) how nice everyone was. Despite the fact that no one spoke English, I had several kind people helping to direct me around. Soon, I found myself on a platform awaiting the tram, and deep in conversation with a man from “a fighting country”, i.e. Iraq, who “wanted to practice his English”. The conversation was going well, until he asked me to come back to his house because he was lonely, explaining that this was a common request in Turkey. I don’t know how common or uncommon that is, but all I knew was I really wanted the tram to come soon…

The tram came, and I took it to the Sultehmat (sp?) stop, the old city and main tourist attraction area. By this point it was already nearing 11 pm, the old city was dead, save the hordes of tourist vultures. As I got off the tram, looking bewildered and very obviously lost, they swooped! It was so frustrating, in order to make them leave me alone, I had to pretend I knew where I was and knew where I was going, to keep walking and not stop to look at the map, despite having no clue whatsoever. Luckily, I soon ran across a lovely couple from Brazil, who escorted me to their hotel, which was also close to several affordable hostels. Pretty soon, I was safe and sound and with a place to sleep for the night.

The next morning I got up bright and early to see Istanbul the only way I know how…by running. A small snapshot camera in one hand and my map folded up conveniently in the other, I took off. A 40 min run lasted nearly 2 hours, with all my stops for taking pictures, getting lost, etc. It was awesome though, and allowed me to see other areas of Istanbul that would have been too far otherwise. After my run, I changed quickly and was off to sightsee like a normal person. Within only a few hours, I managed to visit several of the famous mosques/churches, including the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofa; wander through the maze of the Grand Bazaar; explore an underground bath house; visit the university campus; and watch traffic weave in and out of the old roman aqueduct. I found it to be an interesting city, filled with the history of several cultures, religions, and eras. I left satisfied and content with what I saw, and looking back at the hundreds of pictures I took, I am even more amazing to think that I saw all of it, in only 24 hours!!! One things for sure…I am definitely, one good traveler! =)

Before long it was time to head back to the airport. I hopped the tram to the metro, and was there before I knew it. With spare time to kill before my flight, I somehow weaseled my way into the airport business lounge, entertaining myself with the free internet and drinks while I waited for my flight to Delhi. Ironically, the flight was delayed by two hours, but from the stolen comforts of the lounge (which included a shower, bath, and fitness center) I found myself for the first time ever, actually content and even a little happy to have the delay. Two hours later, relaxed and happy, I was finally heading to my final stop…Delhi here I come!