Turkish Airlines

For our transfer from Istanbul to Frankfurt, we booked a one-way ticket on Turkish Airlines. Wifey expected this experience to be similar to a recent experience on JAL airlines flying from Hiroshima to Tokyo.  It was not.  Perhaps our transfer from Istanbul to Frankfurt is best shared via timeline:

5:30 AM Turkish Time / 4:30 AM German Time - our alarm rang and our day began.  You can read all about our touring on a future post, to be linked.

11:30 AM - we arrived back at the hotel, 15 minutes ahead of schedule.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - we cleaned up, finalized packing, and checked out of our hotel.

12:42 - we leave our hotel room and check out!

12:59 - we're on the Marmaray!

1:00- 1:05 - rode Marmaray to interchange station.  Eventually successfully transferred to another train heading to the airport.
1:30 - arrived at the airport (right on time).
1:30 - emptied our pockets, removed our belts, and had our bags scanned through Security #1 (still in possession of our checked luggage)
1:45 - Turkish Airlines Check In - Our Passports were checked here.

We mail a few letters and proceed to airport security

We go through security.  Our passports are checked here.

We arrive at the gate.  Barely before the 30-minute pre-departure last call.

3:00 - we board our plane.   Our passports are checked here.

3:09 pm - Wifey's still in a good mood and takes a few quick pictures of our airplane

3:30 - Our 'departure time' - We continue sweating in a stuffy metal tube.

We watch safety briefing videos.  Wifey tape's one, excited about the ASL at the end (after noticing Turkish Sign Language on the Turkish video but having no idea what it was saying.  Skip to the end for the Sign Language if you want,  honestly its probably not worth it.

Did I mention, it's HOT!?

4:21 - We disembarked our plane.

4:32 - We were still parked next to our plane, on busses, but in reasonably good spirits.

4:41 - We disembark our bus and walk back to the airport terminal.

4:57 - We buy dinner.  We had planned on German awesomeness for dinner ... ain't happening.

we didn't have the Tuna Salad - but thought Wifey's mom would enjoy the pic

No clue what this is but YUM!

5:19 - We board the second plane.  Our passports are checked here.

6:11 - We're hopeful of actually taking off.  Although sweaty still.  This plane's air also doesn't seem to be working and it's HOT!  We've been waiting on this second plane almost an hour.  

6:22 - The staff makes Wifey open her window shade, resulting in increased heat due to direct sunlight.  Any semblance of a good attitude is gone.

6:24 - we take off.  Remember, we were originally scheduled to arrive in Frankfurt at 6:00 pm.

7:12 - Dinner is served.  This is a silver lining after the British Airways flight TO Istanbul.  It's still hot, and we use the water cups to cool ourselves as we fly.

I was hot and tired = one blurry pic of food

8:45 - Wifey see's Germany.  The patchwork of farmland is beautiful.

7:58 pm German Time (8:58 Turkish Time) - we land

8:22 - we're allowed off the airplane ... in order to board a bus.  Our passports are checked as we exit the airplane door onto the stairs.

We ride the bus to the terminal.  We go through immigration.  Our passports are checked (and stamped this time!).

We go to luggage pick up and get our checked luggage.  It arrived safely!

We go to the rental car desk.  Our passports are not checked here.  Our American Drivers Licenses are.  We're tired.

9:35 - we arrive at our rental car.

11:30 German Time / 12:30 am Turkish Time - we arrive at our hotel.