Day 80: Istanbul, September 19th.

A day which started stressful, but ended up good! (so far). I got up around 8 and packed my stuff. Even with the tent gone it barely fit (I had left the tent atop a bin because it was so broken – a decision I now somewhat regret). I checked out of the hostel and had some breakfast. After a while Celine joined me, then Tom and Alex showed up. I chatted with them for a while, then wrote a journal entry as they went to smoke. Then I got some water from a shop, loaded up my bike, said goodbye, and set off through the city.

It felt good to cycle again, even if Istanbul is a stressful place to do it. Once again I went up a few wrong streets and had to manoeuvre on foot around pedestrians, trams and cars, but eventually made it to my hostel around 11:30. I rushed to the rooftop bar to satisfy the protestations of my still complaining stomach, then checked into my room around 12. Tom arrived as I was doing so. He coincidentally moved hostel at the same time as me. My room is small, and I met three Indian and Pakistani guys who were in it. They were getting on swell. This part of Istanbul seems very popular with Indians.

After that, and after wheeling my bike into a back storage room I set off in search of a bike box. I retraced my steps down to the river to the closest shop. He told me to head over the bridge to a certain square where there were many bike shops. When I was there the proprietor at one told me to come back tomorrow for a box.

Frustrated, I resolved again to go to Asia. Several failed attempts to put money on my Istanbul card put me in a foul mood. I later discovered I may have inadvertently purchased a one day, rather than a five day one! Several machines also failed to sell me a card.

I returned to the Sultanhamet machine I had used before and bought a new one, having found the process of buying individual tickets far too stressful. I bought a three day one, but once again couldn’t load any money. Eventually I just tried it on a machine. It let me through. Hey, maybe I don’t need to load money. I’ll accept it!

I wondered over to another bike shop. No luck again. Then I caught a tram to a bus stop where I sweated in the sun and tried to direct a confused lady and her annoyed son to the university. Eventually I caught the bus, resigning myself to going back to the hostel boxless. Then, two stops in, we stopped under a bridge and of the window I spied several bike boxes in the street . A miracle! I leapt out, bought one for 100TL, then got back on the next bus. Success!

I carried my cardboard back to the hostel, where I deposited it. Then I cycled down by the river, past Dolmabahçe palace (which looked cool!) and found a bike shop. They kindly removed my back pedals for free. They were very amused my bike was a Carrera – their local brand is Carrero! I walked and scooted (with difficulty) my bike back through parks and narrow streets, until I found myself back at the hostel.

There I disassembled the old girl and put her in her box. She fit well. What a relief. After that I went out to get some food – a donër sandwich, coke, kinefe, and complimentary tea, all for 195TL. I like this part of the city.

Back at the hostel I showered then headed up to the roof bar. I got free sangria, then met a group of 3 kiwis and an American. Later the Australian, Tom, joined us. Me and the American (Riley) combined on a team for the pub quiz (Quiz-stanbul – a great team name). The quiz was on countries. We came joint first, but lost on the tie breaker. Devastating.

We signed up for a bar crawl which didn’t end up happening. Instead I went out with the Kiwis to get a Hookah and some food. It was a nice, chill night. We got back around 2am and I dropped off to sleep.

Video of this day