Day 79 : 9th August, 2012, Istanbul, Turkey to Behrain

12.30 p.m.: I have checked out 15 minutes back from the Hotel and kept the big rucksack near the reception and now sitting in the common area. I had a good sleep last night. Yesterday, I was searching a hair dresser and the receptionist told me that there’s one shop just in front of the hotel. It was not open till 9.30 a.m. but the receptionist told me he could call me when it is opened and it was at 10.15 a.m. Young hair dresser was good. He shaved my head very well and carefully. I paid 15 TC (USD 9) for the work. Now my head is in the same shape as when I started the journey. Breakfast was like same and very filling. It was cloudy in the morning but now it is again sunny and hot.
My flights is at 1.50 a.m. tomorrow i.e. 10th August, 2012. I sat for an hour and so and then left for the hotel. I climbed halfway and took the left turn. All these markets are for wholesale either of steel, iron or clothes. In my hotel, a number of African Men, women and families are staying. I asked the receptionist and he told me these are mainly from Congo. They come here to buy jeans and other clothes in bulk. People have good impression of this hotel and they book it from there. This hotel provides good and unlimited breakfast and I saw them eating breakfast like lunch. So they save some money. Today I saw a middle age white couple picking many things from the breakfast table in a plastic bag. There was none in the room except me at that time. I remembered of hostels where some young hostellers do the same with bread and butter only.

I walked on the side of road. One shopkeeper who is from Albania and has been settled here since 43 years, chatted with me for some time. His child is going to University and studying Sports. He is paying UDS 6000 for the expenses in a year. He asked for our system of education and I explained to him.

3.00 p.m.: I walked to Aksaray and Taksim side. There is a Railway Station nearby and many shops and restaurants. One has to be careful and ask for the price before hand.  They increase the price for tourist and even from printed price. I have eaten chicken rap and drank Aryan, butter milk for 6 TC.  It is good.  I will walk back to the hotel reception.  At least it is air conditioned.

Yes hotel reception was better.  I had a short nap, bought a water bottle.  At 6.30 p.m. the Hotel Manager came from his cabin.  He saw me and then requested if I could come on face book. He then asked his receptionist to take our picture from his Camera. He will upload it on facebook. I showed YHAI’s website and my photo on it.  I bade him good bye. He gave his personal card to me.  Slowly I climbed the road up to the tram station. First Tram was fully packed and I got some space in 2nd tram.  After 3 stops it was better space. I came up to the junction of Metro Station.  It was easy to change to metro and signs were clear. Metro brought me to the Ataturk Airport at about 8.00 p.m.  I went through the security and found some sitting place near the restaurants. Only burger shop and one more Italian Restaurant can be seen here.

9.45 p.m.:  Last night I finalized the account of my travel. Now also brushed it up.

This is my last day of stay anywhere in this trip.  I don’t know how I am feeling.  Yes going home is very pleasant thought and look forward to meet all family and friends. It was hard for Shashi to stay alone except the time Sudhanshu was there.
I am satisfied with myself and my travel. I have only the pleasant memories. I have forgotten to distinct between people of different countries, their food and dress.  I was like a reel of a film passing quickly in front of my eyes.

The gate for departure was given as 209 and I came and sat here. There was a flight to Shanghai leaving from here. After that I was only one person left. Then another person came at 1 p.m., 15 minutes before boarding. There was no plane to be seen. Many thoughts came to me. Is the flight delayed? Then one airport official came and told us that the gate changed to 210 just before our gate and we should go there. A large number of passengers were sitting there and Gulfair plane as could be seen was very small. How so many passengers could be accommodated? Then it was announced that Gulfair flight is boarding. No one got up from the sitting passengers. We were too early and then a few were come.  Those passengers were for other flight going after our flight from the same gate.
The plane was Embraer 190 with a sitting capacity of 100 or so.  In all we were 14 including 2 children, (5 passengers in business class and 9 in Economy).  Even Airhostesses were laughing and enjoying with so less passengers. It may be Ramzan time when Muslim travels less. Plane left on the stipulated time.  I asked for fish in dinner which was good. Then everyone went to sleep. This plane has 2 x 2 seats like bus and so you could not spread much.