My left foot

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  Istanbul, Turkey
Friday, May 5, 2006

Yesterday when I was in the Grand Bazaar I met an Australian man and his son. The man had been traveling for 2 weeks alone and asked me how I liked it. I said that there are good and bad parts to it, but on a whole I find that I get to understand and know a country better this way. He nodded, but then said, "But there's nobody to talk to."

I have to say... I have not been at all lonely on this trip, and this journal probably has a lot to do with it. I don't feel like I'm ever by myself because it feels almost like whenever I'm doing something I'm doing it for some of you too. Like when I was in the Turkish bath, I kept thinking "I have to remember what's happening so I can describe it later. People who will never do this might want to know." That's actually a really cool feeling, to know that even though you are not traveling physically with me I can still pass on anything I see or experience so easily. So I thank you all for being interested enough to read along. :)

Ok, now here's where we address the title of this entry. After Ghengis made me run for boats, I realized that my foot is actually injured more than I thought (this explains a bit of my crankiness...). See, the pain shifted. When I first hurt myself, it was in the ankle. Then it was on the top side of the foot for a long time. But a few days ago it shifted to the bottom side of my foot. I started to realize that it might be a broken bone.

Since I'm going to small towns and islands now, I decided to cave in and go to the American Hospital in Istanbul.

Hospital chart... How bad is your pain?

I think I was officially the only American in the American Hospital. They were very thorough and efficient and I was in and out within a few hours. They took an x-ray and sure enough I had sprained my ankle and have a hairline fracture of the bone on the far side of my foot. It's not displaced though, so I don't need a cast or anything. They just gave me an elastic sock and some painkillers. But I feel better that at least I know what it is. He said it'll be mostly healed by the time I get home.

I have only broken bones twice in my life. Once was my broken ribs in Thailand, and now my broken foot in Egypt. Both happened in the beginning of a long exotic trip, and both happened at night, after a few drinks, while I was following behind friends in the dark (one was on a scooter, one was walking). From now on maybe I need to not follow behind people at night when I'm on vacation. I'm apparently not very good at it.

When the doctor was looking at my foot, he said, "This must've been very swollen." I nodded. He said, "How did you walk on it?" The only thing I could think to say was "I don't know." Somehow I made it through every single temple and tomb in Egypt without stopping, and I'm really, really thankful that I did.

After going to the Hospital, I checked out the area around the hospital and found some places to buy warmer clothes for Cappadocia. I was very happy because they were far cheaper than in any of the tourist areas. And nobody wanted to know where I was from or my name. It was lovely.

My what pretty feet I have!

I even bought some earrings and some things I needed at the pharmacy. It was much more relaxing than anywhere near my hotel.

This afternoon I'll go to the Topkapi Palace and a few other things. Then tomorrow morning I have to catch the bus to Ankara at 8:40 for a drive to Cappadocia. Not sure when I'll be online again, but you'll be the first to know!

Hope all is well with everyone!

*********

Okay so I had three things left to cross off in Istanbul and I did... NONE of them! I guess it's good that I left things for myself to come back and see, right? Funny thing, without knowing my foot was broken I never stopped walking and seeing the sights, but then after I found out it's broken I suddenly stopped being in the mood to walk around. So I just laid low today and updated this website for all of you.

Then this afternoon I had one of those travel mishaps that make things exciting... my ATM cards stopped working so I couldn't get cash. I called Wells Fargo and they said that it's not on their end, it has to be happening in Turkey. But... I've gone to 4 different ATMS now with no luck. I really don't get it... I didn't have any problem until today so it's very strange. Hopefully it'll be all better tomorrow. Ahhhh, the joys of world travel. ;)

One thing definitely cheered me up tonight... I was able to download the latest episode of Lost (the best show on TV, so there) to comfort myself. (Looks like Ana Lucia is going to the Police Station in the sky, doesn't it?)

L

L

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