
Leaving Istanbul
Binnaz, Ergun, and I left Istanbul on May 29, 2012, at 8:55 AM. Quite early by my standards, and even Ergun would have preferred a later flight. But we had the tickets, so we got up early in the morning.
I got up around 5:00 AM, they got up around 3:30 AM. We had coffee and light munchies, and the friend Ergun had arranged to drive us to the airport arrived around 5:45 AM. He loaded the car, and we took off around 6:15 AM; the traffic was pleasantly sparse.
When we arrived and went through the initial security screening, it was about 7:00 AM, and the porter took our luggage to the British Air counter. There was already a line, and we waited about 20 minutes for our turn. After the check-in, they brought a wheelchair for me, and we proceeded to passport control.
Since they did not allow the wheelchairs through the regular lines, the transport guy took me to the other entry and then to the gate. By that time, we had found out that the plane was not at the bellows, and I needed to climb the stairs. I told them that would not happen, so they called a truck with a lift called the “MedCar.” In the end, all worked out and the plane took off on time.
As we approached London and the plane started its descent, I was able to see the buildings, the Thames, the bridges but nothing looked familiar to me. I was returning to London after 46 years, and my memory of the place was more like a faded dream.
In London
At the gate, a transport guy pushed my wheelchair to a transport car, and we drove to passport control. I told the man that I would have to wait for my sister and brother-in-law after the passport control. He said they would wait too long in the regular queue and fetched them to the transport car with me. We all went to the passport control together. It was quick, and at the luggage belt, our suitcases were waiting for us. We were out in record time.
The Phoenix House
The taxi took us to Cheval Phoenix House near Sloane Square. The suite was being set up and we would have to wait quite a bit. Ergun suggested that we go to the Chelsea Physic Garden nearby and have lunch there.
Another short taxi ride took us to the charming garden. It was established in 1673 and still operates at the same place. We had lunch there, served by volunteers, and enjoyed the surroundings. After lunch, Binnaz and I strolled around the garden and enjoyed the many beautiful plants. A woman was working in a flower bed and a blackbird was on the ground waiting for earthworms to appear for a nice lunch.
We returned to the Phoenix House and the suite was ready. A nice setup with two bedrooms, a living room, a small kitchen, a bathroom, and a small lavette. We settled in our rooms, rested a little, and then went out for dinner. It was a good start to a very pleasant stay in London. After dinner, we were all ready for a good sleep.
Paul White
Great images from the airplane. You have become very adept at shooting thru the plexiglass windows
A. Cemal Ekin
Thanks Paul, it is a lot of fun to shoot from the airplane. You are right, I have learned not to worry about the image degradation when shot through plexi windows. Having slightly lower quality photograph is better than not having any at all. See you all soon.
Sal Capirchio
Hey Cemal – Love the city-scape shots. Looks like a beautiful place. Haven’t been there but its on the bucket list.
A. Cemal Ekin
Yes Sal, you should keep it on the bucket list. See you soon.