#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.