I’m exhausted. In the two days Sophie and I have been in Istanbul, we’ve been able to bring ourselves to see a grand total of two sights. Today we sat on a bench in front of the Topkapi Palace ticket office for 20 minutes trying to will the energy to go in, but in the end we went back to the hotel to take a nap. This trip has been wearing us out like an old rechargeable battery that runs for a shorter and shorter time after each charge. So for that and other reasons, after days of talking about it, yesterday we made plans to come home for a two-week break.
We’re not cancelling the rest of the trip, just delaying it a little bit. In fact, it turns out we’re only delaying it a week, because visa problems are forcing a week’s delay anyway. India, which is the next up after Egypt, is the first country that requires anything bureaucratic in the way of visas. Our original plan had been to get our visa at the consulate in Istanbul during our week here, which according to all the information they provided seemed easy enough. But last week I decided to see if I could find anyone who’d actually tried it. I did. They failed. It turns out the consulate won’t issue visas to Americans and instead makes you go to the embassy in Ankara. That in itself wouldn’t be such a big deal, except that getting the visa takes about a week, during which time we’d be without our passports. And since most hotels here require you to have a passport to check in, we’d be stuck in Ankara. There’s plenty of stuff we’d like to see in Turkey, but none of it is in daytrip range of Ankara.
We’d already been toying with the idea of a break when I learned that, but it suddenly made more sense. It made even more sense when we realized that, through a creative use of frequent flier miles and American Express points, we could fly home for less than the cost of a week in Ankara. Plus we’d then also be able to avoid having Sophie’s latest supply of medication shipped to us, which will save us several hundred (yes, several hundred) more dollars. Also, we realized that once we leave Cairo, the idea of going home for anything short of an emergency or ending the trip will no longer make much sense, because we’ll be too far afield. On top of that we’ve been having to face up to the fact that out nine-month trip will likely have to be more like seven as our pile of money disappears faster than we’ve expected, so this break just about marks the halfway point.
But really, more than any of that, we just need to stop for a little while and have some normalcy. This trip has been harder than either of us expected, and we’ve both realized that we’ve reached the point where we’re just dragging ourselves from place to place. There’s no point in spending thousands and thousands of dollars on this journey if we’re not going to enjoy every minute of it. So if all goes according to plan, by the time we leave the States again we’ll be so bored that we can’t wait to get back on the road.
And that plan is: on Tuesday January 12, we fly to New York (on separate planes, to save money). We’ll spend two days there sorting out our visas to India, relaxing in the Ritz-Carlton for FREE (Thanks hotels.com loyalty program! Chumps!) and with luck briefly seeing some of our friends (to whom if you’re reading this: we’re toying with the idea of having a get-together in our hotel room on Wednesday involving duty-free liquor, stay tuned). On Jan. 14 we go to Pittsburgh, where we’ll stay until Jan. 27 when we turn around and head back to Istanbul to pick up where we left off.
I can’t shake the feeling that no one’s going to be happy to see us and instead will scoff and say, “What are YOU doing back, quitters?” But the tickets are nonrefundable, so we’re coming home anyway. And we’re going to the Olive Garden.
We will be THRILLED to see you, and only wish that our plans didn’t involved missing you for part of the time. Remember – this trip is a choice – not an obligation, so if you aren’t having fun – do something else!
You know, over Christmas my mother kept insisting that you two were coming back to the U.S. for a couple of weeks in the middle of your trip. We kept saying, no no, I don’t think so. Hmmm…
Whether or not you “finish” your itinerary, you’ve had quite an adventure, and your commentary along the way allowed many of us to go along for the ride. When will the book be coming out? I bet it will be a great read!
Geez, you made it over 100 days… I was ready to come home after less than a week in Pittsburgh/Buffalo!
I should be available for a hotel room meeting, so just let me know what room number and when.
We’ll be happy to have you back for a few days!
oh sure, just when Dodger and I have bonded and learned to love each other, you two decide to return. Well we will both be excited to see you two. While you’re home in Pgh, why not live adventurously and go to the Original hot dog house just for kicks. See you soon!
Not to be a downer, but getting visas for India is a giant pain…even here in the States. It’s not that you can’t get one, but more that the process is crazy (likely because it’s run by Indians. Who I can besmirch because I’m one of them. Not who issue the visas, but you know what I mean). Let me know if you want me to put you in contact with my brother, who can speak more clearly and recently to this. Oh, and I think the break is a lovely idea. And if you want to spend any of it in the DC/Baltimore area, and need a place to crash, you’re always welcome here.
I would LOVE to see you! I wish your break involved L.A.!!
Not sure you all will want company at the OG – it’s so romantic and all, but M and I were just talking about going back sometime. Because the breadsticks… I mean, my god. What are those made out of? Must be unicorn horns because they’re fraking magical. Anyway, if you need company on your OG outting…
We’re so excited to see you soon – you can stay with us if you’d like. Otherwise let’s do the Church for sure!
I’m looking forward to seeing you and hearing more about your adventures in person. Maybe I can also squeeze in a a visit to Little’s.
Is it wrong that even before reading Lance’s comment, I was planning on leaving a comment asking if you could make your Olive Garden pilgrimage while in NYC, and suggesting that I join? Then again, I think you scoffed at us when we invited you there last time, so maybe not.
Also, when feeling exhausted, keep in mind that visiting a country but not visiting every single major site within that country does not a failed trip make. It’s perfectly acceptable, still blog-worthy, and still envy-inducing to all your friends, to spend a week just acting like a boring local. :)
Wonderful! I am thrilled you guys are coming back for a visit and can’t wait to see you. Chris will be in N.C. for a few days around Jan 14 to pick up our third dog . . . I know, I know . . . but I’ll be around the whole time and Chris will be home that Sunday. SO come on back! –Sue
I’m so glad you’ll be able to relax for a while. Even living vicariously though your adventures is exhausting; I can’t imagine how tough it must be to actually DO all that stuff! You 2 are the best.