After reading an account on harassment at Ataturk airport over the New Year ,where 300 flights were delayed due to a snow storm , it's time I dug this up.
This was my bag on the way to the Budapest airport . Unlike that writer , I like , prefer and want to go through Ataturk Airport , as it gives me a chance to dash out to Istanbul to shop and eat , should there be any delay .
The agent wanted 2000 ringgit extra for a stopover . I almost gave him the alphabet sign before G . But because I know how to navigate the city using public transport as well as know where are the safest hotels I can check in to , and I can take advantage of any delay and make the best of it yes , I was actually hoping for a flight delay .
And then it happened !
However , in order for me to get out , my flight needed to be delayed for a minimum of so many hours .
The key thing to remember is how much you paid for your Turkish Airlines flight . If you wanna do this , you wanna get out to Istanbul , it is best to fly Turkish .
The other item you must consider , is your flight category . The flight you book and how much you paid for it is indicated by an alphabet class . Below a certain alphabet , and you will have to make arrangements on your own . Do not expect a free escorted trip out to the city , when you got there on a lower priced or free ticket . Not saying it can't happen . It can happen . Well , it used to , until more travellers discovered the trick plus taking into account the volume of air traffic pouring into the city , see , that effectively made it harder to get .
Mine was under Class Y .
Which only entitled me to a meal ticket . No hotel stay . No privilege lounge .
And this foodcourt , was where I had a misunderstanding with a male cashier . He was very rude but as most Turkish men are known for their impeccable manners to us women , I soon got this gentleman in blue suit over to make sure the boy towed the line . Problem solved . No more rude boy . That man in blue , though he was obviously bored to death , had a headmaster effect on the fella who is not in the picture .
The chefs behind the counter are very friendly btw .
This was my meal .
Free due to the delay . Nothing much to shout about but as it's gonna keep me warm , I slowly savoured every morsel . If you think this is representative of Turkish food then you are dead wrong .
Before that meal above which was served after 11 pm , I had a cuppa .While seated next to the most enthusiastic bunch of black men in business suits who were lapping up their fried chicken like nobody's business .
That was fun . To see them in Maxim Bady like mode .
By the time I'd finished my meal and headed back down to the airline counter , there were a lot of Malaysians and Singaporeans yelling their heads off demanding for things at the help desk .Tour agents , family reps ....so darned loud mouthed and noisy , of course they'll insist they did not shout . They're always innocent and polite and well behaved (though you can hear them from one mile away and can identify them from the flying hands and accent )
Hey , I got news for you .
I didn't shout but I sure flirted like crazy and main mata with the very flattered staff who blushed and then later even wrote his name here on my ticket lol . It was vice versa . He was just as slick lol . The exchange between us ....wooh...the ground would have caved in around us due to the heat !
He's so handsome ! Of course it made it easier . Sure some of you can CSI the rubbed out name . When you do , well , you can see that he's my type . So leng chai defella .
Thus armed with my ticket to freedom , I went to sleep in the lounge surrounded by a bunch of Japanese men . When I woke up , these men were ready to dance for me ( No they weren't ) . It was summer in Istanbul and I only chanced upon them much later .
Now this is more like it . Up at 6 am. Queued to get out of immigration till almost 8 am . No thanks to all those Russian queue jumpers. Should not be a problem nowadays right ?
Out on familiar ground , surrounded by tons of men , you have to learn how to hold your horses ladies as you will get hit on so much , so often , it takes an epic failure of an example to get the message through to them that you are really there to enjoy the city and not to get laid ok ?
When that moment comes , and you pass the test , you will be addressed as " good lady " which I wear as a badge of honour lol .
Don't shout . Be nice . SMILE !
It can get you very far from the airport straight out to here .
Things may have changed a bit here and there , but you can still make the best of it when you employ your feminine wiles . Especially when you look like a slitty eyed Oriental . Add on a naughty wink and use it to perfect timing . Try it girls. It works .
Location : Summer 2015, Istanbul
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