Saturday, February 21, 2015

It's so good to be home

Early morning light coming through the trees
I finally feel like I'm back into my routine, after having gone on a really nice walk with the ladies this morning. Everyone wanted to know how it was in Turkey, and I responded that it was mostly positive, although I have to say there were stressful moments. I am now looking back on my trip with fondness, and I can say without hesitation that I would return to Turkey if given the chance. The people were wonderful, and now that I am home with only my memories, it makes me smile when I think back on all the adventures. I'll be posting about Hagia Sophia and the Cisterns soon, but for now I'm just happy to have made it back without getting sick or having had any travel delays.

I learned that the day I returned, Tuesday, it began to snow in Istanbul and kept up for two days, canceling flights and causing more than 800 traffic accidents. Public transportation was jammed up for those two days, with more than two feet of snow having fallen before it was all over. I snagged this picture taken in Istanbul on Thursday:
I was really lucky to have gotten away when I did. In fact, I had no idea any of this happened until I saw it on the news. According to that caption, the snowstorm broke a 28-year record in the city. Guess my guardian angels might have had something to do with it all. Or something. In any event, I'm glad I'm home and sleeping through the nights!
:-)

23 comments:

  1. wow...sounds like you escaped just in time...
    and i am glad that overall the trip went well...
    and that you are back home setting the pace
    with your hikes and walks again..ha

    ReplyDelete
  2. oh, you were very lucky! i hope all those you were working/traveling with made it out, too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Boy did you dodge a huge bullet! Glad you missed the snowstorm.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You missed a snowstorm, that would have been exciting! You sound like yourself now...back from a nice adventure. You didn't get sick!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes, you were very lucky you returned home when you did.
    Glad you don't have a cold or the flu right now.
    Do take care.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes, when we get home we feel the tension leave but we can look back with pleasure. You were very lucky to miss the snow. I look forward to tales of your adventures.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my.. your timing was excellent. I'm glad that all worked out and that you are so happy to be back home. Traveling is fun but when routine beckons, it's nice to be able to feel its comfort.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very good timing, that could have been real tough.

    ReplyDelete
  9. How fortunate that you missed even more problems. Travel is always a mixed bag of the good, the bad, and the ugly. I enjoyed reading your adventures and look forward to reading more. I saw a segment on the AWE network about the Blue Mosque. The art and architecture are fascinating views of the history of the times when they were created. It sounds like you are feeling good about getting back home and into your usual routine.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I want to hear more about Istanbul. So glad it was a good trip for you and you have mostly good memories of it all now that you are home. For me, I do like traveling as much anymore, want time at home in my fun little life. But here I go again, leave mid April and don't return till second week in June. And what is the first thing you do when you get home? Your beloved hike. Good for you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You were very lucky! Can't wait to hear more about the trip!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've never been to Turkey; but for some reason I thought it was warm there.I guess I should get out more!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I only traveled out of the United States once. A mission trip to Venezuela.

    Looking forward to your stories and photos.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm so glad you made it out before the storm hit.

    ReplyDelete
  15. OMGosh! Now that was perfect timing!! Glad you haven't gotten sick and are back on your home time schedule. Awaiting your further Turkey blogs! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lucky indeed. We've had close calls both ways over the years in travel situations.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Welcome back and I look forward to the stories- they're the best part of traveling!

    ReplyDelete
  18. It's good to know you missed the snow storm and delayed flights, etc. You're living right!!!

    Now, sit back, relax and enjoy the quiet moments for now. While we await more adventure stories from you shortly.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Welcome back x the snowman in your picture is amazing. It's always nice to come home isn't it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I always remember things even more fondly upon my return also. Mostly because I'm always so tired while we're having all of our adventures. Fun can be exhausting! Welcome home.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Well, you escaped just in time! It makes being home even that much better.
    The palace looks like an amazing place to tour.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh wow! You really were lucky to leave when you did. I'm looking forward to seeing your impressions of Hagia Sophia and the cistern. The cistern was actually done on our own and not part of the tour. We were so happy we went there, especially since I then read about it in Dan Brown's book. Will you be writing about the stressful parts too? I'm curious.

    ReplyDelete
  23. So glad you missed the big storms and travel fiasco they cause, and are safely and happily home, DJan!
    Our long fall and winter luck ran out, and our household was struck by fevers and flu this past week and a half. Happy to have everyone healthy again and resuming our routine here, glad to catch up on reading today!

    ReplyDelete

I really appreciate your comments! If you see a word verification box here, just ignore it. I don't use the darn thing and Blogger is trying to get us to use it, I guess. Ignore it and your comment will still appear.