“I see you are well prepared” says the steward of Air Malaysia to me with a friendly smile when I thanked him while I leave the plane. He points to my down jacket. On the way to my backpack and the customs for my visa I feel uncomfortable: inside it feels allready cold and chilly, that’s not very promising if I get outside …
With the metro and then the tram I go to the old town of Istanbul and I feel a bit astonished: after more than 20 hours flying I’m now walking with my backpack through Istanbul and except the weather is not so different comparing to the other side of the world: “! taxi mister”, “no thank you”, I answer. And also: “where you come from?”, “Kuala Lumpur” I answer, probably a response against the expectations. In short, I feel good, like a cosmopolitan and after some searching and asking around I soon find my guesthouse “Istanbul hostel”.
Istanbul hostel is a charming and cozy hostel, with a roof terrace where a type of veranda is built on and it’s good to stay here: you can lazing around, get socialized, watch TV, drink, eat etc. In short: a perfect place to be in a cold and rainy Istanboel.
Nevertheles, of course I want to see something of Istanboel, after all, it is still quite special to be in this city with its many historical and cultural legacies. Equipped with my umbrella I went on sightseeing tour. Some pictures:
Ondanks het weer en het seizoen was het erg druk. Hier de rij voor de ingang van Haghia Sophia.
