Birthday Flights, and getting to Istanbul

So here begins my second archaeology/travel blog (check out my-armenian-sandbox.blogspot.com for last years excavation in Areni, Armenia), once again starting with the birthday of yours truly. Since my actual birthday is June 16^th, which spent entirely in air and airport, I spent my ‘pre-birthday’ with my bestie since birth, miss Michelle Kerr, at the Alehouse in Halifax for Stanley Cup finals celebrations. I measured my birthday success by the Garrison pint glasses we were able to smuggle out.

The afternoon of the 16 ^th we managed to finish my packing and get out the door. I think I actually packed more this time than last year’s trip to Armenia… so much from learning from last summer’s over-packing mistakes. Right before leaving for the Halifax Airport I received an email from my travel cuts agent saying both my New York to Paris flight, and Paris to Istanbul flight were changed by a few hours. This caused a lot of controversy with my family as we were running to the car. Now, instead of arriving in Istanbul at 4pm, I would be arriving closer to 1am and would then be taking a midnight taxi over a half hour from the Ataturk Airport to the old city or Sultanahamet part of Istanbul and then stay at the Orient Hostel where I had booked a bed in a female dorm. To please my parents I had to promise to stay instead at the Airport Hotel called the TAV, however, they had to pay for it because if it was up to me I would be staying in the cheapest place, as the less I spend now the more places I will get to go later on! Let’s just say this was not an 18 dollar dorm room.

Now, most of you know I am terrified of flying… however, I must say most of my flying experiences thus far were smooth and calm, however, all of them (even my cross Atlantic flight) lacked televisions or movie selections, which made for a very long and boring, sleepless flight. On my flight to New York I chatted with a woman only finding out she lived two doors up from me on Cavalier Dr. right as the flight ended, small world. My flight to Paris I sat next to a creepy Bulgarian man who kept brushing his hand on my legs. Fun eight hours. However, my final flight to Istanbul I sat next to an extremely friendly young French business man who I chatted with the entire way about travel and politics. I find having someone to talk to makes my flying experience so much better since it takes my mind away from my phobic mindset.

Unfortunately by the time I arrived in Paris I was feverish and feeling really sick, I didn’t even bother to shop in the airport mall, I just bought some macaroons, found a spot on the floor near my terminal and slept. I was exhausted when I finally arrived in Istanbul and got though the passport check. I headed to my hotel and slept. My hotel was stunning, very modern looking and comfortable, with a great view. I slept quite well, minus the fact that three times during the night (between the hours of three and five) I had knocks on my door. I never answered since it seemed a little creepy to me. In the morning I found a toothbrush an paste outside my door. Dear room service, couldn’t that have waited til the morning?

The continental breakfast was amazing, and recognized many of my favourite Armenian breakfast and snack items, however the jetlag forced me to skip out and just have some juice and toast. Check out was at twelve, and that friends is where my next post will pick up…. I am a few days behind, but right now balcony beers overlooking the black sea at sunset are calling me!

TAV Airport Hotel in Istanbul

Aurora