Turkey: Istanbul to Lake Van
Istanbul Monday So I arrived in Istanbul just as the Muezzin were call for the 5:30 am prayer. I arrived in the largest bus station I have ever encountered, a huge semi-circular arena with the bus signs and destinations marked. My first impression of Turkey was clean, modern, efficient. Luckily I found the Metro station and the kind ticket officer, who had spent time in Ramsgate, Kent, who helped me with the impenetrable machine. And so I whizzed my way to Taksim square. I asked a taxi driver to take me to my apartment, but he waived me away saying it was just 2 minutes away. I bought an Americano coffee in Starbucks (sorry, don’t normally like American chains, there was even one of these at the Great Wall of China(!!)), knowing they have free Wifi. Outside Starbucks were huge, lumbering, homeless, humanless dogs, with tags in their ears. They obviously hang outside there, knowing they will be fed. They are harmless. I found my way to the apartment, found th