Thursday, September 1, 2011

My One Night Stand


July 24, 2011


I know, I know, it is the age old question: What airline should I take to Uganda?  We have all been there.  So allow me to clue you in on a little secret:  TURKISH AIRLINES!  Turkish Airlines has a sneaky little ploy to get business - they give you an 11 hour daytime layover in Istanbul.  It is genius. 


Katie's uncle was kind enough to pay for a Turkish woman to be our guide while we explored the entire city in 8 hours.  Her name is Berna, and she loves Turkey.  Like a lot. 



We started off this very ambitious day with a very humongous traditional breakfast, and some very tiny tea. 

(tiny tea)
 Following breakfast, we went shopping at a beautiful outdoor bizarre.  It was not strange at all, so I’m sure what all the fuss is about.


 I bought three massive ceramic bowls.  It turns out that buying really heavy gifts in the first hour of your day really just means that you have to carry it around all day, which is just exhausting.  I told Berna.  She didn’t get it.  Boy, was I right (what else is new?).

 We also dropped by the Blue Mosque:
(Insert picture everyone takes in Istanbul)

I apparently missed the memo about covering my hair.


Berna bought us some stringy like candy wrapped around a stick.  It was delicious.  And don't worry, according to Berna it is both fat-free and calorie-free.  It is made from "juice".


 We also toured Hagia Sofia.  We did the whole place in 12 minutes I think - that has to be a record. 


And just for kicks, Berna brought us to the most beautiful restaurant in the world for lunch.  We ate on a balcony overlooking the ocean. 




Istanbul, it was fast - but you are beautiful.  You were my one night stand.  I would like a relationship, please. 

*                *              *                  *                  

Once we arrived back in New York, I had a day to kill before I flew home to Denver.  I had a delicious breakfast with Ms. Tobin.  Unfortunately, no hard boiled eggs, mini bananas or chipati. 
For lunch, I visited by old friend Justin near his office (aka, his home).
(archive photo)
With that, I packed my very heavy bags, waved goodbye to Katie, and sailed away in a cab.  Which brought me to JFK 45 minutes before my flight left.  Oopps. 

The next day I drove to Utah to get my puppy.  Summer, you were too good to me.  

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