We made it! We made it! We are at the western end of the Silk Road (or more correctly the prime European terminus of the main set of silk roads). Hugely exciting to think that we didn't jack it in at any point, that despite the odds against 2 vague hippies making it we actually did, and that we are now in spitting distance of friends and family. Stepping out onto European soil for the first time in ages was tough though, and saying goodbye to stupidly chaotic, crazy, sensual, mystical, vibrant Asia is something I'm trying to avoid thinking too hard about. It has stolen my heart and I don't really understand why.
Our mammoth train journey did eventually come to an end,and we were greeted at the station by Nic (who Zebedee-like seems to have popped up randomly throughout our adventure, been the perfect but all too brief travel companion, spoilt us rotten and disappeared again just a quickly: a neat trick and quite delightful) who led us straight to a great hotel that overlooks the Aya Sofya; now that's what I call service. Extremely easy to be in, Istanbul (despite being closer to home than anywhere I've been for the last 10 months) feels incredibly exotic and romantic. It reminds me a little of Hong Kong in the way that ferries feature highly in getting around the place, but the energy is all it's own. We have seen sights, caught up with each other, eaten too much (is it possible?) cake and generally had a fabulous time. We are now ensconced in the home of yet another lovely host, this time from Couchsurfing, on the Asian side of town (Kadikoy district for aficionados) overlooking the water and very close to the 15 minute ferry that drops us straight into the heart of old Constantinople. As the days go on though temptation grows to stay in Anatolia exploring twisty alleys and real life away from the tourist crowds, but I know part of this is a reluctance to admit that this leg of the journey is history.
Apart from one hugely (and huge) incapable pick-pocket on the tram City of Thieves is an unfair moniker in my opinion: City of Cats is far more appropriate as they are present in great numbers on every street corner, slyly orchestrating business and running the show in the way that only cats can.
Onwards, ever onwards: we have pretty much decided that we cannot pass up the chance to flit through Greece and Italy, so Eastern and Central Europe will have to wait for another time I'm afraid. A bus across Northern Greece to Corfu and a ferry to the heel of Italy is the intention, but we shall have to see if its possible.
