Glimpse of Turkey 3/6/2014

I chose Turkish Airlines not only for their very low fare to Ghana (under $1,000) but also for the decent 22 hour layover in Istanbul which promised a glimpse at today's Turkey; at this point my memories of the city of 30 years ago are somewhat faded. In addition I found out that Turkish Airlines actually pays for the hotel stay in Istanbul a fact the airline does not advertise.

Turkish Airlines made a good first impression -- they run efficient boarding procedures from back to front and provide a kit for everybody's welfare. The only problem I encountered was negotiating the giant water bottle in the bathroom because I wanted water in my mouth while brushing my teeth. 10.5 hours Washington D.C. to Istanbul-- plenty of time to watch good movies, to read or to sleep. I listened to some African music and drifted off to sleep rather fast.  Full plane but one seat next to me was free!

Looks like this airline attracts a lot of travelers to Africa. A case in point, the young woman next to me was part of a larger group of US students on the way to a safari in Kenya--some students celebrate spring  break style!

The timing of the flight's arrival late in the afternoon in Istanbul, and the famous rush hour traffic really only allowed for a glimpse of the city while sitting in the airline's van to a hotel somewhere.

View from van

The trip took about an hour and then we arrived at a 5-star hotel --at a convention center far away from the city's old town. All expenses paid except dinner--compliments of this airline, or should I say, Turkey? Here a view of my room: