This airport is huge. My gate was the furthest one away, well I hope it’s my gate. I will fly Turkish Airlines today to Athens, a quick layover then Larnaca, Cyprus. I bought the ticket on Expedia. I looked on other sites but this was the best for connections. The over night in Istanbul was nice. I love the city, just a bit scary with all the people, men and women and children chanting, waving flags, clearly passionate for their cause.
The taxi picked me up promptly at 4:30. I arranged this with the very attentive desk clerk. On the taxi ride to the hotel, there was so much traffic. The driver didn’t know why but I think it was because of the planned demonstration. He kept wanting to drop me off and have me walk 800 meters. It seems like it would be easy but I have gotten too lost too many times.
So back to today, super long lines. My flight wasn’t listed on the big board. I asked at information, they told me to go to the airlines at check in. No boarding pass but no problem. Checked my big pack back, because I had to. The airlines kept telling me to pay another $100 for my bag and I received many emails and texts to make an offer for an upgrade?!? Crazy. I chose not to upgrade and not to pay the $100. And they didn’t charge me.
The passport control, long lines, then security more long lines then the hike to the gate. Some foreign countries are easy to get along in because they speak some English, not so much here. People seem angry.
Waiting in line to board. Might as well be last! I forgot to mention the guy last night that really wanted to get to know me, he would take me somewhere special. This was during my escape from the demonstrators. I didn’t answer him or talk to him, then he asked if I like men! So I told him that I was married. He backed right off! So funny. At least he had respect for something.
Travel Pig 