Cairo to Istanbul

Trip Start Jun 19, 2008

Trip End Sep 04, 2008

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Where I stayed

University dorm #409

Flag of Turkey Istanbul, Turkey
Friday, July 4, 2008

Most of today was spent transferring from Cairo to Istanbul. I hung out with Salma in the morning for the last time in Egypt. We will see each other again in 2 months, but not in this foreign land anymore. She helped me arrange a taxi to the airport, so I don't have to deal with those black and white cabbies. It was easy enough to find my way around the airport to the Turkish Airline counter. The guy at the counter asked me where my visa was and that it was required for me, a Korean citizen, to have one to visit Turkey. I secretly panicked but calmly told him that I contacted the Turkish embassy in the U.S. and that Korean citizens do not need a visa for stays less than 90 days. He talked to his supervisor who said, "We love Koreans!" and authorized him to give me my ticket. For the next 3 hours, I was worried to death about the visa situation. What if I get detained and deported from Istanbul!? Was I supposed to get a visa beforehand? I definitely looked it up online and a website said South Koreans get a visa exemption... was the website not legit? That can't be right, can it?

While I was thinking through these things, the 2-hour flight was almost over. When the plane landed in Istanbul, people started clapping. Interesting. Over the visa counter was a list of about 40 countries and the visa price. South Korea was not on the list! I showed the guy my passport, and he said, "South Korea... FREE!" So I entered Turkey without a visa, without any problem. Wee.

But I did not see the program people waiting for me at the exit like they said they would be. It took another hour and a half of waiting and calling and frustration to get to the dorms. Well, now I am here. It is most definitely cooler (weather-wise) and much more liberal than Egypt for sure. I walked around with some of the girls in the program. Nothing too special. I look forward to spending the next 6 weeks in Istanbul!