On my first morning in Istanbul I awake to a dreary day of flurries and rain. I remind myself that these are the risks one takes when traveling in non tropical climes in December and January. Hell, it is entirely possible that my entire trip could be plagued by crappy weather.
I am plagued by doubt.
Like almost every hotel on this trip, a free breakfast is provided. For a budget traveler like myself, this is a big bonus. I drag my jet lagged carcass upstairs for the guaranteed grub.
Breakfast is nice. Cheese, olives, tomato, hard boiled eggs, cucumber, some delicious potatoes, and best of all really, really fresh bread. Except for the Nescafe. I notice an outside deck, and in a feeble attempt to wake up I pour another Nescafe and step out for a smoke.
Through the cool morning drizzle all my doubts instantly disappear. I mutter "Oh" to myself. The view before me addresses all my trivial panic in a visual instant. To my right is The Blue Mosque, The Hagia Sophia, and beyond that Topkapi Palace and to my left is an endless array of cobblestoned history.
"OH" indeed. Feeling buoyed by the view, my doubt melts away as trust in my instincts swells. I put out my smoke and choke down the last gulp of Nescafe.
It is time to head out.
http://www.goyestoeverything.com
