Blog

A long day of waiting. They say you need at least a week to see everything İstanbul (Istanbul) has to offer. But after two days, I feel bored already. I know, I know, it’s awful, and I sound like a spoiled child. I’m just not much of a city guy. I’d rather go walking in the wild, with some epic natural scenery, than visiting buildings after buildings. Sure I’m happy to have visited this incredible city, which is flooded with architectural wonders, buta few days is more than enough for me. Too many people, too much agitation, too much… I’ve also not visited the inside of any buildings, not by fear of attract some St. anger on my atheist ass, but more by lack of interest and saving some money. Although there are definitely some natural history museums and historical site that I’d gladly explore in the future. But I don’t feel like it today. Maybe it’s because it’s today that I start going back home, but I’m not in the brightest mood.

It’s lazy Sunday, so after a late breakfast (milk rice and apple tea, hmmm), I decide to take again the Marmaray train (the one that goes to Asia), but this time, all the way to its terminus.

It sounds like nothing much, but all in all, with a change mid-way of train for some reasons, it took over an hour. I mean, look on the map, that commuter rail goes FAR (40 km into Asia!) It’s mostly not underground (except for the part under the Bosphorus, déconnez-pas), with view over the sea.

However, what you can see the best from here, is how the tourist money is distributed over İstanbul’s districts. At the terminus in Darıca, I discover a suburb city poorly maintained, more miserous, and it seems more conservative. They don’t see a lot of guys with a backpack around here I guess. They must think I got lost on my way to İstanbul center or something. It was a very short stay, but it’s nice to see a bit of a more real Turkey, rather than only it’s main tourist area. Also, I’ve reached the easternmost point of the journey, and in my life so far. it only goes westhill from there.

A couple hour later, I’m back on the Marmaray train. in that direction, it’s full, and the way back seems to take ages. Back in Europe, galivanting, milk rice, apple tea, walking, and dinner at 5:30 PM, cause I’m hungry.

And finally, at 6 PM, I officially give the departing whistle blow to the Mad Dash Back Home, by taking Metro 1 towards the bus station, which turned out to be the 40th « train » of the trip!

Tea. Reading. i speak with a British Interrailer, also resignated to take the bus from there. Bus which departs at 11 PM. Bye Turkey, you were fun. Bit crazy, but fun!

Now, will I be back in Toulouse on Friday?