2025/10/03

Long day today. Woke at 6:45am with just 4 hours sleep, locked up the house and took a taxi to Belfast Central Station. Had booked the wrong bus so went an hour early in the hope they let me on it. Didn't pick up any food or drink as I wanted to be among the first to board in case the bus was full. Was allowed on by sheer luck as the driver checked everyone's tickets but mine as the bus was 2 minutes past departure time by the time he got around to me. My suitcase was really heavy and it was a struggle manoeuvring it around. Got lost in Dublin airport but finally found the checkin counter. Was really exhausted with pushing the bag around and it was barely 10am! Cleared security, picked up a meal deal the shop was near the restaurant area and the independent seating was far away. Even more exhausted, I finally was able to eat and rest for a bit. My flight was delayed by 2 hours thanks to the raging storm, but there were no announcements and there were passengers for multiple flights waiting so there was no room to sit either. I didn't want to risk missing my flight announcement so had to stand or walk to stay comfortable... There were no cafes or restaurants in that gate area (it was the last gate on that floor, everything else was a floor above). Once boarded the plane was on the apron for another hour waiting for the weather to improve. Once it took off (a very uncomfortable takeoff feeling like a roller coaster) and the meal was served I finally felt a little better but was so exhausted I was completely sore. Landed 2 hours later, and the walk to immigration in Istanbul airport was also extremely long as all the counters except the last one were closed. Through immigration I collected my bag which was another walk back the same distance. With my suitcase I had to struggle to get to the exit. The entire airport was not air conditioned. At the exit I went through the green channel where I was stopped by a policeman who sent me to the red channel. In the red channel they scanned my bags and asked me to empty my suitcase. I Spent a good half hour emptying it and then repacking it. Thankfully I had a bag inside the suitcase so it was easier to repack into 2 bags. Outside the arrivals section there was a large hall with a few restaurants. Lugging even more bags now I tried a few, and all had staff but said they were closed. Finally found one open restaurant, where I had a sandwich and bottle of juice and rested till I had the strength to get going again. the exit leading to taxis was another long walk away (literally at the end of the hallway). on the way I inquired the cost. the fare mentioned at the counter was much lower than uber showed on my phone so I walked to the taxi counter and took the first taxi. Checked in seamlessly at the hotel and literally collapse at midnight. Shruti insisted I should shower (I was stinking from perspiration anyway) but I had to sleep for an hour before I even had the strength to get out of bed. I decided to run a hot bath to relax my sore muscles and it definitely gave some relief but I was so tired my muscles cramped and I literally had to struggle to get out of the tub. Probably my most exhausting day in as long as I can remember! Slept finally at almost 2am.