Istanbul | It’s been a blast - Thank You!

[blue44]

I’ve said enough of my perspective in the ‘shuttle bus chaos’ thread

me too on the same subject.
i got back to my room at 4 am and had to get my taxi at SAW for 5.30
Everything,was worth every single penny.
Up the blues fella

not to confuse you about my just landing home before,i flew to copenhagen for 1 night yesterday.

 

[cummo]

Mixed feelings about Istanbul. The local people were really nice. I didn't like that taxi drivers and some people in restaurants seem like they want to grift you given half the chance.

The ground wasn't fit for purpose.

Probably had the most over zealous security checks at the airport ever.

Probably not in any rush to go back to be honest but overall an amazing trip.

4 checks within 5 metres at the gate...

 

[MikeF]

First impressions of getting out of the airport were pretty horrendous. So scruffy and fag dimps just about everywhere.

BUT once you got away from that, the sheer scale and how busy the place was blew me away. Not the greatest architecture though. Bosphorois Straits were ace though and enjoyed that area.

People were either incredibly rude or incredibly polite. But that’s was cos we’re ignorant in expecting everyone on the planet to speak English.

And those bloody machines for the metro were like an arcade game from the 80’s with the buttons not exactly responsive. And why in Gods name you then have to take the ticket you’ve struggled to get to get validated at the next machine is beyond me! Nonsense.

Wish I’d have got to see more of the culture and the Blue Mosque etc etc but just not enough time.

Teşekkür ederim Turkey. And to all the Inter fans we met and chatted. Not forgetting the Borissia Dortmund fans who seemed to be on tour!!

 

[feedmpenzaandhewillscore]

Mixed feelings about Istanbul. The local people were really nice. I didn't like that taxi drivers and some people in restaurants seem like they want to grift you given half the chance.

The ground wasn't fit for purpose.

Probably had the most over zealous security checks at the airport ever.

Probably not in any rush to go back to be honest but overall an amazing trip.

They checked your bags on entering the airport, then after passport control again. Then one final check before you boarded the flight, is there someone selling drugs in Sabiha Gokcen airport in the departure lounge?

 

[5 Hit Gibbon]

They checked your bags on entering the airport, then after passport control again. Then one final check before you boarded the flight, is there someone selling drugs in Sabiha Gokcen airport in the departure lounge?

We had been through 2 security checks, then at the boarding gate they were frisking everyone, taking swabs & checking all the bags. Apart from people with walking sticks, pushchairs or wheel chairs. So if you are going to be a mule in Turkey just get a walking stick!

 

[Gingers Dad]

i agree. if you have money, and live in a good region (KADIKOY, bagdat sreet region) i believe ist is the best place on earth...
cheers
thank you all for those great days you created

Thanks for all your advice Karem. I thought you were on the wind up when you first starting posting on here.
Thanks to you in direct messaging about Eminou me and my mates all got City shirts from the market stalls for 5 euros each.
I said that you would find out that City fans are a lot of fun. I hope you found that to be the case and you enjoyed our visit to Istanbul

 

[Woody135]

The stadium itself is not fit for a game like this. Shambolically organised once again

However i though the city was a brilliant host city. Had never been and was a bit nervous but absolutely loved it and didnt experience anything that made me uncomfortable.

Ended up on metro after the game at 2am (after giving up on those buses) which didnt run the route per the map, got off in the middle of nowhere and got talking to a local bloke who also got off who sorted me a taxi haggled the price to €10 for a 30 mins drive to airport and was all good.

All i saw was a city and people proud to be hosting such a big game. Theres always chancers but stay alert as i do everywhere and you’ll be fine

 

[kerem gokmen]

Thanks for all your advice Karem. I thought you were on the wind up when you first starting posting on here.
Thanks to you in direct messaging about Eminou me and my mates all got City shirts from the market stalls for 5 euros each.
I said that you would find out that City fans are a lot of fun. I hope you found that to be the case and you enjoyed our visit to Istanbul

city fans were great. best 2 days of my life... thanks a lot...cheers. hope to see you again....

 

[MadchesterCity]

Let's face it Istanbul is a shit hole but I've never met such lovely people apart from all the robbing bustards taxi drivers etc.

To be fair though it's a place you need to keep your wits about you (somewhat) and my first touch point with the people was a random stranger paying 1 Lira so I could use toilet (he didn't need to do that)

It's not a place I'll ever travel back to unless football need must but very fond memories

Champions of Europe, we'll never sing that

 

[kerem gokmen]

Let's face it Istanbul is a shit hole but I've never met such lovely people apart from all the robbing bustards taxi drivers etc.

To be fair though it's a place you need to keep your wits about you (somewhat) and my first touch point with the people was a random stranger paying 1 Lira so I could use toilet (he didn't need to do that)

It's not a place I'll ever travel back to unless football need must but very fond memories

Champions of Europe, we'll never sing that

most parts of istanbul is a shit hole. but Kadıkoy is a different city (i call it a city). next time try Kadıkoy; actually if city and Gala faces in champs league there will be no nevizade for city fans, anymore (or besiktas street also):))) so your best option (and only maybe) will be kadıkoy. i hope we (gala) will not be in the same group with city (zero points in two games 99%) but i want you guys to see kadıkoy. if you come to istanbul as an opponent of city, i will be around you again, but not wearing a jersey for sure.
anyone who read my posts from the start knows that i wanted to promote Kadıkoy from the start. for your visit. then i gave up after a while. Kadıkoy is so different; best pubs streets also (it is big and 100%safe, cross streets, it is clean, there is seaside, actually we drink at seaside, people speak english, there are real rock pubs not the ones like in nevizade, best rock playlists...). i ve met with two women on staturday looking for cider and told them that they can not at taksim (maybe in a few irish pubs). you may find cider, anything at kadıkoy. etc. etc.
anyway, you ll see one day i hope..
some of you did and understood what i mean. ask @CarlosTevez'sEnglishTutor
cheerrs