So it was a long 5 day weekend in Spain, so I had to go and travel someday. Originally my idea was to go to Syria, but they require visa and there are no affordable flights to Syria. So while working and having little time to think, I decided to buy a round trip ticket from istanbul to Erzurum. Erzurum is in East Turkey, near the Ararat mountains.
In the waiting hall of the airport in Istanbul, it became clear that I was the only foreigner on the airplane! I tried to speak to a lady that is a nurse, though her limited English made it difficult. But when we entered the airplain she said loudly to the attendant, he is from Spain!!
I was so nervious. Usually airports in smaller towns have no regular busses going to the town, so one ends up having to spend lots of money on taxis.
I had seen pictures of Erzurum and thought it was a tiny town, but once the airplain was flying over it, it was clear it wasnt that small.
Which made me nervous. How am I going to tell them I want to go to the historic part of the town?
On the ground I entered a public bus. I wanted to tell the driver to let me know when we arrive to the historic part of town. Well, nobody spoke English. So a woman called with her cell phone to someone, then passed me the phone. It turns out that its exactly like farsi..
CENTER -> markazi
Historikal -> Taarikhy
So anyway, I got to Markazy Tarikhy and it has been a nice experience.
Ive uploaded two videos which I havent been able to see my self to youtube
The rain has made it hard to see things, but there are several mosques and madresses from the 13th century that are amazingly beautiful, made of medieval stones. The only sad part is that lots of really cheap ugly new buildings have been built 5 meters away from them.
Im waiting for the airplane in Erzurum.
More when I get back.
By the way they also say Tashakor!!
