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Trip Start Jun 06, 2008 Previous
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  Istanbul, Turkey
Wednesday, July 2, 2008

I can't tell you how amazing it is to be back to a world of real toilets (i.e you do not have to squat over a hole or pay the attendant to use the hole or carry around toilet paper), with moderate weather (i.e you aren't having minor heat stroke every other day), and no one is hassling you (i.e you can actually walk down the street w/ out being hounded by the entire street to come into their shop, eat at their restaurant or get into their cab). Egypt was the worst for this, Jordan and Syria were not nearly as bad. In all fairness, the Middle East was AMAZING. We had always wanted to see Egypt, but had never even considered a trip to Jordan or Syria. And actually, even though seeing the sites in Egypt was mind blowing, Jordan and Syria turned out to be places I would actually come back to.

We split from our Oasis Overland truck tour group in Aleppo, Syria. We took a train back to Damascus and then flew from there to Istanbul

25 piece orchestra, free set in the park

. We had a trip of a lifetime with Oasis and will definitely miss it, but it's nice to be off the truck. If I can ever get around to doing a wrap up on it, you will know why we're happy to be off of it (i.e no AC through very, very, HOT, HOT deserts, super windy because the windows are down for the duration of the trip and toilet stops on the side of the road sometimes in places with no tress, thank god for sand dunes). 

We are in Istanbul for a few days and are on a little hiatus from running around endlessly trying to see as many sites as we can and are not taking any tours! We are simply relaxing and taking in the scenery and trying to plan our travels for the next few weeks. So far Istanbul is a fabulous city with easy public transportation and killer food. Also,  I don't have to cover my shoulders or my legs in public, which is fantastic. Covering up was just annoying, especially in 100 plus degree heat. I don't know how the women there can handle it, they are covered head to toe and in black... 

I thought I  might actually be able to post some pics today, but the computer we are at does not allow us to use the USB port, so pics will have to come later. I might actually attempt to do a Middle East synopsis while we are here, especially since we totally failed at blogging anything on that portion of the trip.

That's it for me, for now at least. Back to vacation...

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Blue Mosque	Egyptian Obelisk	Hagia Sophia Mosque	Hi!
Inside Blue Mosque	More of inside the Blue Mosque	Shopping	YUM! Pide from the street vendor!

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