After this mornings disastrous start when we decided to switch the heating off overnight as we do in England, we will leave the heating on overnight as it's coldest then. The flat has double glazing and isn't that bad. Mr J has blocked the window in the bathroom with some Waitrose bags for life we brought with us. I guess it's hot much of the year and a windowless bathroom could be good. All the same I'm not looking forward to a shower. I googled hotels but misspelled the town so came up with nothing.
Everyone is laid back timewise so we didn't leave the flat until 12.30. Mr J's cousin flagged down a mini bus but it was too full for us to get in. The next one was OK so we took it to the end of the road where the shopping centre and food markets are. First stop was to buy a bus pass and change some money. I saw a woman run over at a traffic light as there are no pedestrian crossings. You have to rely on a driver taking pity on you to stop, so you can cross the road. I looked for any sign of hotels but didn't see one. We wandered into a shopping mall full of jewellery shops with amazing prices so I suspected they might be fake. Then it was a hunt for clothes for Mr J's brother to take home to his family. I bought a pair of black and white dogtooth gloves but didn't wear them as the sun was out and it wasn't very cold midday. We bought cakes from the Parisian cake shop, all creamy, chocolatey and intricately decorated. I'm not big on cakes or chocolate but eventually went for a syrupy brownie with a walnut on top. We haven't eaten them yet but may go back one day to their coffee shop. I was steered into a shoe shop by a pair of sparkling ankle boots and was helped by a charming old man to try them on. Success for £16.00. I will try to post a picture.
Tired and in need of a toilet we got a taxi "home" and SIL had cooked beef minced kebabs with potatoes in a tomato sauce with rice. We went to buy forks, spoons and couldn't find knives so managed without. Mr J and I went to buy beer and wine from a shop with blinds down so as not to see inside, similar to the way cigarettes are sold in England nowadays. The wine was a Semillon and is good. They had no choice anyway. It was that or nothing in the white wine section.
The estate agent couldn't get the key to the flat today, so hopefully tomorrow. Apparently it takes 5 days to buy a property but around a month if you're British so Mr J can't put it in his name as we don't want to stay here longer than 2 weeks. We will hire a car and driver to see as many properties as we can fit in tomorrow.
After lunch I had the second nap of the day. Mr J went up the road with his sister and found an electric kettle for £7.00. He also found dining knives and hi ball glasses for our vodka and cherry. No luck with cranberry juice.
The clothes are cheap here. Not high end quality so you have to pick and choose.
Yesterday SIL gave her cousin the slip as she thinks he's on a commission from the estate agents and went with the landlord to a Turkish estate agent who showed us about 100 properties on his website. We squashed into a car and saw two flats. The first was so brand new the lift was still wrapped up. So it was a walk up to the 5th floor. SIL liked it but it was just out of price range as no white goods are included here. That was 49,000 USD including legal fees. The next
one was 20 years old and being renovated so again on the 5th floor with the lift out of use so I stayed in the car writing my blog. They said the flat was nice, cheap, but no sunshine so would be costly to heat in winter. I needed the loo by then, so returned to the flat where we are staying and let them continue the search. They took the shared minibus to the centre and saw 3 dingy flats. Glad I didn't go. I sometimes feel uncomfortable as everyone stares at me like I am famous.
We spent ages in the first estate agent and they brought us fruit tea which I refused and offended the guy who stared daggers at me so when he offered again moments later I took it and Mr J drank it. Then the agent took off his suit jacket and an expensive looking watch and ran to the mosque leaving us alone in his office for half an hour. It was nice to get back out into the sunshine where old men sit at cafes passing the time.
I checked out hotels last night on Trip Advisor. There is only one. There's another 9 slightly out of the centre. Had a good look this morning and the reviews are not marvellous. The Ramada seems the most hopeful and has an indoor pool and sauna etc. People complain about the traffic and the call to prayer waking them up. You can't avoid that anywhere here. I'm thinking one night to swim if arm will allow, wash hair etc. But people complain about the heating. At least here the heating works well except in the bathroom because there is no glass in the window. The agent offered them a brand new flat fully furnished to buy but it was sold before we got chance to see it. I'm considering going home but that's not easy with the over two hour journey to Istanbul to consider. The driver can't help me with the case as security is very tight since the bombing. Only travellers allowed in departure lounge.
I look at it that it's not forever for me. SILs will really struggle when we have left as they don't speak the language when you need workmen, a taxi, medical help etc.
I've had a lovely day as it happens. I think I learned to be intrepid when dad drove us home from Kuwait in the 60's. Far worse suffering than now but such memories, many happy. Mr J offered to organise my escape this morning and I will take it but at the right time to suit me. Meanwhile I've been well looked after and enjoyed my sunbathing on the balcony whilst OH got my courgette curry on the go. Got a what's app from Jnr this morning and he's the only one who tells me how it really is. He said I'm bored and that is the worst scenario for me. Find a hobby apart from reading you can do there. He's ready to pick me up from HRW but I don't think I'm quite ready to end the adventure just yet. We are organising my return but in the most comfortable way, perhaps with BIL taking me to the airport when he returns home to his wife and family. I get on well with Mr J's family after 35 years and we all just cooked together. They will be sorry to see me gone but understand I'm used to home comforts....don't laugh girls with my flat in Kensal Green.
I can't explain the bathroom window. It's kind of slatted and doesn't close completely but Louie has blocked it best he can. My Iraqi relatives who have stayed with us several times in London and Luton so know the UK standards but for them they are just so relieved to escape the constant bombing in Iraq. For them it's heaven, the freedom from bombing and terror but for me it's a bit of a torture....just shows how lucky we are to live in the UK and I can wait to organise the most comfortable return to the UK.
On a happier note, the SIL saw a flat today which is hopeful and right in the centre of town. Mr J dragged me out of my low mood and PJs and we got the shared bus with his rellies. I don't know what the Turkish people think but we were non stop giggling when, the mini-bus, full to the brim, stopped to let in a guy wearing Army fatigues kneel on the floor and then unbelievably another guy got in and lay on top of him. I so wanted to take a photo to share with you but my handbag was trapped due to lack of space but we were laughing our heads off. After a two hour walk in the sunshine and shopping me and Louie got a proper yellow EXPENSIVE taxi home using our photo of the street sign as direction. It cost us £2.00. This compared to 80p on the shared bus. We told him to drop us opposite the flat but he mumbled something we understood as u turn and he dropped us right outside the flat. It's all good for writing. We went in a lovely chocolate and Turkish Delight shop and got those for Mr J. I refused everything but the sweetie owner gave me a designer milk chocolate as a present. The shop was immaculate. If I wasn't brave enough to come I would have missed so many things.
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