#39 In Kolkata, India

Hello Everyone I am at the home of my friends in Kolkata, safe and sound. However the computer that I can use is old and the internet connection very slow and I have to ask for the computer to be switched on when I want to use it. So while I am staying here, I won't be doing much on the computer, I am sorry to report. Know that I am thinking of you and please don't hesitate emailing me, I am responding to individual emails. Thanks and I will be in touch. Love Marie

#38 Perhaps the stupidest thing I have ever done!

Hi Everyone I'm in Doha, Qatar. I arrived here at 6:00 this morning and had 13 hours to take in Doha. I started my adventure by taking a taxi to the town. I got out at a spot where I thought I could continure walking and found that the town is not easy to walk around. I finally found a place to buy water in the 104 degrees at 8:00 a.m. and the store owner told me where I could get breakfast. I had breakfast and then went to the Bazaar or Souk that was conveniently located next door to the restaurant. I walked around there for a little while and realized when I was done that "I was done". All I wanted to do was go back to the airport and flake out until my flight at 7:45 p.m. So I caught another taxi and went back to the airport. I managed to sleep a little and my nose started running so much that I was going through toilet paper like crazy. I took an antihistamine and around 3:45 found that I only had one left and I definitely needed another one before arriving in Kolkata. So I left the airport and walked until I found a pharmacy. Actually as soon as I left the airport terminal I felt much better that it is the air conditioning in the terminal that may be causing my nose to run. Outside it was hot and there is a lot of dust and I think it could be allergies affecting me. When I came back from the pharmacy I went to get something to eat at the snack bar in the airport, managed to spend all my Qatar money by buying a candy bar, and headed for the gate. I looked at the time and realized it was time to board except that it was an hour later than I thought and the flight had left. Like I said, it may be the stupidest thing I ever did. I was so upset with myself. Some of the Qatar Airline people have been very nice and others were totally useless. Bottom line - I am now confirmed to the airport. They took my passport. The next flight out to Kolkata is the same flight as today just 24 hours later. So I am stuck here. Lucky I have a change of clothing with me that my suitcase will be in Kolkata by tomorrow morning - or at least I hope so. I think I should check with the airline. I'm sitting on the floor with 9 others, 1/2 Chinese (the Chinese man was so nice that the electricity plug is different than what I have and he let me use his socket), some Africans, some Arabs and two women all the way to my left that look European. We're all gathered around the electricity outlets charging our batteries. When I found I missed my plane the first thing I knew I needed to do was call my people in India who were coming to pick me up at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow. That was an ordeal because I needed to buy a phone card which they sold at the coffee shop - US $9.00. Lucky I bring US money with me. Then I couldn't get the pay phones to work. There are a lot of phones that are having problems but I found one that I could call on. So I caught my friend before they went to bed, and he knows not to pick me up at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. I sent them an email (it's father and son who are coming to pick me up) and I hope it won't be an inconvenience for the son that he works. Sunday was his day off but Monday he works. Anyway, that's my escapade. We shall see what happens tomorrow. The plane I missed had my vegetarian meal on it, too. By time I arrive in Kolkata, it will be two nights I didn't sleep in a bed, and over 48 hours of travel time since I left Istanbul. Thanks for hanging in there for me, everyone. Now I can rest in India for a while, no traveling for a little while. Love Marie

#37 Instanbul

Hi again, 5 days later. Sorry about that. I've been busy, flying from Kusadasi to Kayseri, and then from Kayseri to Istanbul, arriving around 1:00 a.m. in the morning to start another tour at 8:00 a.m. It has been hectic. No wonder I am sitting in my "pajamas" at 2:00 p.m. in my room. Today is a rest day. I still have not seen the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul which is supposed to be not missed. Take a look at it: http://www.grandbazaaristanbul.org/The_Grand_Bazaar.html 5,000 shops, and attracts between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily I wasn't going to go but on my Bosporus Cruise yesterday I met a New Yorker who said she didn't buy anything there, but really enjoyed the people watching. It is so big she warned me to take note where I enter so I know where to come out. She said she came out by mistake almost a quarter of a mile from where she entered. I am also trying to arrange for my final flight to India. I had to go to Turkish Airlines and request a vegetarian meal - yes, some airlines actually serve you meals on the flights. And I still have to get in touch with Qatar Airlines and do the same for them. I am also trying to find how to see Doha, the city I fly into in Qatar? I hope I can find a tour or a tour guide that won't cost me an arm and a leg. I have been in touch with the Lithuranian pilgrim I walked with on the Camino and she made a very nice presentation on Google with her photos. I hope to do that as soon as I am settled down for a while. My mouse died on me (that's the computer mouse) and I'm not sure if it is the mouse or the connection. I will have to check my mouse on someone else's computer to see if it works. Without a mouse, I find it very difficult to do things. This thumb pad thing is not easy and I never know when I am supposed to click and which button to click. I am still enjoying myself and meeting lots of people. I met some Indians (a younger couple who live in Dubai and have a young son, and a couple my age who lives outside Mumbai), a South African woman a little older than me, and lots of Americans, Canadians and Australians. I also met a young couple and cousin, the man and his male cousin were from Saudia Arabia and the woman was from Morocco. We sat at the same table for lunch and it turned out to be a most fascinating lunch. They got married last year in Morocco and she had lots of photos of the wedding on her cell phone. She had SIX different dresses for the wedding. One was more beautiful than the other, and the colors! White, yellow, blue, purple, red and green. One of the photos had the groom in his traditional costume and I think he was a sheik prince, with the red and white checkered headdress. His father also has two wives. She has a MBA from a university in France but now she is a stay at home wife, not working. But no children yet. We really enjoyed meeting each other. The only faux pas I made was I asked if she dresses differently in Saudia Arabia than what she was dressed in on the tour we were on. She had very modern clothes on with arms and legs bare. She talked to her husband in their language after I asked it so I apologized to her later if I shouldn't have asked that. She said no, it was ok and gave me her email and phone numbers if I ever come to Saudia Arabia or Morocco to contact her. There was also a woman on the same tour completely covered up with the black veil. From her eyes and hands, I think she was young but her husband was in his 50's. I tried to speak to her and she answered "I don't speak English" which was funny because she spoke Engligh to answer me. I mean if someone spoke to me in Arabic or Spanish, I answer I don't speak Spanish or Arabic, not in their language. Makes me think she really did speak English but it is easier not to speak around her husband. On the street I intentionally speak to the ladies with their faces covered. There were three of them together and I was lost again - Turkey has been rough for me - I thought they were young and I asked where I could find a pharmacy. One of them answered me very clearly in English. I liked doing that so they know they are not invisible, I see a person there. I smile at them and thank them for their help. I would love to try wearing a burka sometime just to see what it like? I have heard that some women think it is very freeing, not to be on display to others. And others who have done it (journalists, women who have had to escape the area) say that it was claustiphobic and annoying. I'd like to see for myself but I don't know if I ever will get the chance. Photos will follow of the amazing places I have seen. Love Marie p.s. I also found out that burka is with the eyes covered, a niqab is where the eyes can be seen. So to be correct, the woman on our tour wore a niqab. I stand corrected.

#36 Catching up with you

Hi Everyone I'm still at that very nice hotel in Kusadasi and it's early morning, plenty of time before breakfast. I leave today going to Cappadocia which I believe is a "cave" hotel so I'm taking advantage of this internet. If what we are experiencing in our lives is a dream, I am sure getting a kick out of my imagination. Yesterday I went to Pamukkale and Hierapolis. Hierapolis was a ruin of a Roman town, a rather badly ruined town. I've seen much better before in Jordan and I think I knew more than our guide about Roman towns. But Pamukkale was the strangest place! Basically it has water with lots of minerals so people have come there for centuries to bath in the thermal pools for health reasons. You must take your shoes off to even walk out to the pools so there is a security man blowing his whistle constantly to get people to take their shoes off or stay in the designated areas. Then this is a Muslim country and you have the woman covered from head to toe mixing with Russians, French, Italians, etc. who are practically naked. I thought it was very bizarre. But it was a nice 3 hour drive out to the ruins on a day with beautiful weather, in a Mercedes bus with excellent air conditioning. I'll attach some photos. Notice how crowded it is and how they built this beautiful resort in it's shadow to take advantage of the water. I sat a little ways from the woman and her two children and just stuck my feet in the running water. I hadn't soaked my feet since the Camino and it felt good, plus later on the nail of my little toe, the one I had so much trouble with when I was walking, very simply fell off. No drama. It's already growing a new nail underneath, no worries.

This wonderful internet connection will not let me view my blog so I am not able to see what I did this morning. I hope it is ok and when I am able to check it, if I uploaded the wrong photos I will edit this posting. If you have any questions, please email me and ask. Have a great day. Love Marie

#35 I'm in Kusadasi, Turkey

Hi Everyone, It's been a long day. I was picked up at my hotel in Greece at 7:00 this morning by car, taken to the ferry for a 4 hour trip to Athens port. Then a bus to the airport and my first flight from Athens to Istanbul. Then through customs, got my visa, and caught my second flight to Izmir, Turkey. I found out why I didn't recognize the town because it was known as Smyrna in biblical times. That name I recognize. This time I was met at the airport by a driver holding a sign with the name Marie Frances, and we confirmed that it was me and I was the right person he was taking to the right place. An hour drive and I'm in Kusadasi, Turkey. I haven't met anyone yet from my tour group, nor the tour guide, but the hotel is really nice, the best I have had since I left the states. I have to pay for the internet connection but at least I have it in my room and I will be here for two nights. So it was car - ferry - bus - plane - plane - car today for a total of almost 12 hours. I've got to get some rest that the tour starts at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow with breakfast at 7:00. I look forward to meeting my group. Hope some of them are fun to be around. I'll post tomorrow and let you know what I'm up to here in Turkey. Love, Marie

#34 Last night in Greece

Hi Everyone I'm in Mykonos, Greece for the night. I arrived this morning coming from Paros and the boat trip was awful. The water was very choppy with lots of wind. I was ok but everyone around me except two people behind me on the boat got sick. I would not recommend the jet boat ferries in Greece. Tomorrow I take another ferry back to Athens for my flight to Istanbul. It will not be the jet boat but a much larger boat so I am hoping it will be ok. I have to leave tomorrow morning very early to make my flight. I am so tired that I know I have to go to bed early tonight. With that I will say goodnight. I don't know when I will have access to the Internet in Turkey. I arrive in Istanbul at 3:15 p.m. and my flight out to Izmir is at 5:00. I'll check in next chance I get and bring you up to date on where I am and what I am doing. Turkey is kind of like a Mystery Tour to me. I truly don't know where we are going and what we are doing. At least this way I have no expectations. I'll post something whenever I am able, but it may be a few days. Love, Marie

#33 Now I'm In Greece

Hello everyone It has been fun, folks! I arrived in Greece on Tuesday night and on the way here by way of Frankfurt, Germany, I asked if the time changed. No, I was told. The time is the same in all of Europe. So I wake up Wednesday morning, ready to start my tour to Delphi and Meteora and the woman at the Hostel I stayed at said, You're late! No, I pull out my phone and show her the time, it's only 7:40 and I don't have to be at the meeting place until 8:00, except that it is already 9:40. Oops, I missed my trip. So after I calmed down, and the wonderful staff at the hostel made a few phone calls for me, I go to the tour office and book my tours for the rest of my stay in Greece. I saw Athens on Wednesday. Met a very nice French woman at the Acropolis who was traveling by herself and we shared a taxi to see one place, then met for dinner that night at a great restaurant with live Greek music. It was a perfect day. Next day I did my tour to Delphi and Meteora and a picture is worth a thousand words so I will attach a photo. Got back last night and went to a free concert at the Acropolis Museum with two women from my hostel. It was a Full Moon and Athens was hopping with four free concerts we could have gone to. It was wall to wall people. This morning I left at 6:00 a.m. for the ferry to Paros Island, one of the many Greek Islands. I still have not met the owner/managers of the hotel I am staying at that they went to a wedding here. There are many weddings today, I've been told. Lucky that the hotel was close to where the boat came in that I was told I was going to be picked up (look for your name on a sign, yeah right!) but no one showed up. After the camino I am in good shape so I walked to the hotel pulling my suitcase. The cleaning woman called the owner when I arrived, told them about me and she showed me to a room. She doesn't speak any English so it's been fun. I've walked around in town today and it's exactly what I expected of a Greek Island. Blue water, lots of beaches, perfect weather, white houses, lots of open air cafes. I'm sitting in one now that they are the only places that have wifi. None at my hotel. Tomorrow I will get up early and will take a bus ride to the other side of the island to see the other village here and the rest of the island. I'm in Parikia on the island of Paros, and the other village is Naoussa. Then I go to Mykonos on Monday for one day before flying to Istanbul. I thought I lost everything I typed so far so I am going to close and attach my photos. The photos are of the Pantheon from the roof of my hostel at night with the full moon. And of this one high point in Athens (this is where I shared the taxi with the French woman). And then on to Meteora with the monasteries built high in the mountains back in the 1300s. And they are still occupied. Don't you just love them! I certainly did. Any questions, please ask. I am not doing a good job of explaining things. I'll keep posting. Marie