11:30 AM
Okay...... we are on the long, long, long (16 hour) train from Thessaloniki, Greece to Istanbul, Turkey. I have done a lot more reading in the guide book in the past few hours and have a little bit more knowledge. I know that we will be dropped off in one of three train stations in Instanbul, I know that we have to change trains at the Greek/Turkish border where we will have to acquire a Visa to enter Turkey, and I know where we will look for a hostel once we get there. The pseudo anxiety has turned into excitement. It will be wonderful to go someplace new and exotic and different and dangerous. It feeds my adrenaline addiction, makes me feel alive, and will (most likely) give me the inspiration to continue my journey.

I will have to buy a scarf to cover my head in mosques and in the smaller villages in more remote areas of the country. I really didn't know before a few hours ago that Turkey shares a border with both Iran and Iraq. Huh. I will definitely follow the guidebook recommendations and avoid the Eastern and Southeastern regions of the country. The 1 km stretch of desolate land between Greece and the Turkish border is uninhabited and considered a military zone. Cool. It's really only because the two are at odds with each other.
Nice.... I'm getting butterflies. Butterflies that I have not felt since Czech Republic.I missed them terribly! Pam seems really concerned. It's understandable, she hasn't done any research and has no idea what to expect.
Hee, hee.
Everything will be fine. It always is. And if everything will not be fine, it will be one hell of a story. :)