Morning reflections on the Bosphorus

The clock on my phone reads 9:17 as I sit by the window of my hotel room, watching Istanbul come alive. It's day 164 of my journey, which means I have 336 days remaining before I return to Kristiansand. The realization that I'm nearly at the one-third mark of my sabbatical has put me in a contemplative mood this morning.

I woke up early, despite having no real plans for the day. Old habits, I suppose. The sky outside is mostly cloudy, but the weather app promises some sunshine later. I've been in Istanbul for three days now, and tomorrow I'll be moving on again. There's still so much I want to see, but isn't that always the case?

Coffee and earthquake thoughts

I made coffee using the small kettle in my room and sat watching the news on my phone. Today marks three years since the devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey in 2023. The city has introduced new regulations to accelerate urban transformation, particularly for buildings at seismic risk. It's sobering to think about, especially while staying in a city as densely populated as Istanbul.

From my window, I can see the Bosphorus in the distance, that magnificent strait that divides Europe and Asia. Yesterday's rain has cleared, though the forecast shows more showers expected tonight. I should make the most of the dry weather while it lasts.

I've noticed how my relationship with time has shifted during these months of travel. Back home, I'd have my day meticulously planned by now. Here, I'm learning to embrace the luxury of an unstructured morning, allowing my thoughts to wander as freely as I've been wandering across continents.

Planning my final day

Tomorrow I leave Istanbul, and I feel a slight pang at the thought. This city has worked its way under my skin in just a few days. I've already visited the Hagia Sophia, crossed the Bosphorus, explored the Grand Bazaar, and yesterday I spent hours at Topkapi Palace. What should I do with my final day?

I've heard about the EMITT Tourism Exhibition happening at the Istanbul Expo Center today. As a traveler, it could be interesting to see the future of global travel being discussed by industry experts. There's also the Basilica Cistern that I haven't visited yet, and I still want to explore more of the Asian side.

I check my watch – it's only 9:20. The whole day stretches before me. Perhaps I'll visit the Basilica Cistern first since it's close by, then maybe head to the Asian side again in the afternoon if the weather holds. I've grown fond of the ferry rides across the Bosphorus, that brief journey between continents that somehow feels symbolic of my entire sabbatical – crossing boundaries, both geographical and personal.

I've also read about an International Carpet & Flooring Expo where Turkey has just launched a bid for UNESCO recognition of Turkish carpets as cultural heritage. After my experience haggling in the Grand Bazaar, I've developed a newfound appreciation for traditional crafts.

Mid-journey reflections

Sitting here, watching the light change over the Bosphorus, I can't help but reflect on how far I've come – not just in kilometers but in perspective. One-third of my journey complete. What have I learned? Have I changed? Am I any closer to figuring out what I wanted to discover when I left Kristiansand?

I think about Ahmet from the Grand Bazaar and his leather journals, about Mehmet the hotel owner who greeted me with such warmth, about the rain-soaked exploration of Topkapi Palace yesterday. Each encounter, each place, has left its mark.

My coffee has gone cold as I've been lost in thought. I should get moving soon if I want to make the most of my last day in Istanbul. But for now, I'm content to sit a moment longer, watching the city, listening to the distant call of seagulls over the Bosphorus, and being grateful for this pause in an otherwise constantly moving journey.

Time to finish getting ready and step out into Istanbul one more time.