Istanbul — The Great Sojourn — theNOSTOMANIAC.com

219 - Wandering the 'Bul (Istanbul, Turkey)

I defy you to visit Istanbul and not drink a shit ton of tea or smoke an assload of hookah. It’s a cultural hotbed of social interaction and almost feels like a requirement, though a pleasant one at that… until you make yourself nauseous from tobacco. Also, I’m surprised I have any teeth remaining after guzzling tea equal parts sugar and water.

If Taksim Square is Istanbul’s heart, then Istiklal Avenue is its main artery. One can find anything and everything—shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, theaters, galleries, etc. I patrolled this thoroughfare no less than 1.32 million times. With Istanbul being the cosmopolitan “East meets West nexus,” anonymity is easy to attain, even for a 6’4” goofball American….

Batch 37, Turkeyby Mr. Nos T. O'maniacNovember 7, 2023Istanbul, Taksim Square, Istiklal Avenue, Body Worlds, Plastination

218 - Medical Tourism (Istanbul, Turkey)

Acibadem Fulya, the hospital in Istanbul, was the newest addition to the network. It had only been operating for six months. Everything was brand spanking new, and it was the nicest hospital I’ve ever visited. They have a specific “check-up” department, using the English phrase “check-up” on the signage. I arrived and checked in at the reception desk. Although the clerical staff spoke very little English, they provided a liaison who’d lived in Houston, Texas for twenty-five years. All the doctors also spoke English.

First, I had blood drawn, blood pressure measurements, height, weight, etc. Next was a visit to…

Batch 37, Turkeyby Mr. Nos T. O'maniacNovember 4, 2023Acibadem FulyaIstanbul, Medical Tourism