I flew from London to Istanbul yesterday. It was a very long day for a flight that was less than four hours long. I left in the morning at 9 London time and didn’t reach the flat until 10 Istanbul time.
In between I travelled to Gatwick, remembered what a terrible airport it is to fly out of, used my stupidly expensive credit card to gain entry to the lounge which had the only window in the airport and snagged a seat in front of it, went to the gate, got a message that my host in London had just tested positive for COVID. Not much to be done so I put on a mask and continued. The flight was fine, though felt longer than four hours, and then the plane taxied for about 40 minutes before reaching the gate. I got in the wrong queue at immigration, one which had four people denied entry, so it took ages to get through – long enough that my suitcases had arrived and been pushed off the belt.
Ordering a taxi was the usual palaver, but at least the driver was a good one, who didn’t try to turn off the meter, overcharge, take the long route or pretend that he only received payment in cash. Tipped him fairly generously, I thought, though only later realised that it wasn’t that generous, given how the currency has plummeted. This was brought home to me when I ordered a water delivery. Last November, the water cost 38 lira. Today, 78 lira. Astonishing.
I don’t feel any sign of the corona, but am still being careful. I do feel quite tired, which may be a sign, or it may be the long journey, the relentless days of work, and the shock of the heat after London.
It was good to see the GF, and he, poor thing, had a fairly busy return as the flat was covered in dust and he spent hours cleaning it. The plants are all dead, but other than that things seem more or less fine, phew.
This morning’s exercise was in the living room which which my trainer thought was a private gym room. Flattering, but I think he was misled by the look of the room, which is quite bare, with a dark wooden floor and white walls, so quite like a moderately luxe yoga studio.
It is nice being in Istanbul, though also something dreaded as it brings with it a vast amount of responsibility: for the flat, getting visas in order, etc. All a hassle.