This is my travel video diary which shows highlights of my hitch-hiking trip from Berlin to Georgia Republic via Istanbul and back. Along the path I visited these cities. BIG THANKS to every couchsurfer and driver who made this trip possible and unforgettable!!! The trip began on August 4 2010 and ended on November 3rd 2010. The only money I took on this 3-month trip was $1000 cash, spending only $833 for food, and the rest for buying an rain jacket in Sofia, warm hat in Vienna, a railroad ticket from Tbilisi to Batumi, hostel for two nights in Odessa.
In Berlin picnicking with my couchsurfing host and friends August 11-13, 2010
Hitchhiking from Berlin to Poland, looking for A10/E30 highway, August 11-13, 2010
Failed attempt to hitchhike from Berlin to Poland, getting caught riding bicycle on the highway by German police, August 11-13, 2010
Still in Berlin unofficially couchsurfing at Nadine’s place and then at Paul’s place, meeting singers Katherine and Samba, August 13-14, 2010
Hitchhiking from Berlin to Poland, Getting picked up by Piotr, arriving halfway to Warsaw, August 15, 2010
Hitchhiking in Poland, from 5 hours away from Warsaw to arriving to Warsaw, August 15-16, 2010
In Poland (Warsaw), leaving Kuba’s place,, introducing CS host Brigita, August 16-20, 2010
Arriving to Kiev by hitchhiking 24 hours from Warsaw on August 20, meeting Kim and Rick, couchsurfing with them till Aug. 27th, 2010
In Kıev (Ukraine), Trıp to Belaya Tserkov to find the house we stayed in 28 years earlier, August 25, 2010
In Belaya Tserkov (Part 2, August 25). Hitchhiking to Odessa begins – Aug. 27 , 2010
Hitchhikıng from Odessa to Bucharest (Romania) – Aug. 27-28 , 2010
Arriving to Bucharest (Romania) – Aug. 29 – Sep. 2, 2010
On the way to Istanbul (Turkey) – Sep 2 – 3 , 2010
In Istanbul (Turkey) – Sep 7 – 8 , 2010
Things to try in Istanbul
Places to visit: Historical part to explore is SultanAhmet, where you will find the Blue Moscue, Aya Sofia (used to be a Church, now a museum). Also in that area is Basilica Cistern, which has a stone-carved face of Medusa who is placed upside down in the water so her evil eye does not see the spectators’. Near SultanAhmet is the Grand Bazaar, which is 650 years old with over 3600 active shops, and it is considered to be the biggest mall in Europe. Also walking distance away from it is the Spice Bazaar (be sure to checkout Egyptian Market located inside it). Istiklal kadesi (pedestrian street, begins near Taksim square). Off of Istiklal is Nevizade – bar and club area. Istanbul Modern – a museum to checkout in Bosporus area located down from Beyoglu area. Clubs: Babylon Peyote Balkon Kadikoy district, located on the Asian side. Food: For those who have a sweet tooth, definitely check out a candy store called Kavkaz (famous for their chestnut candies), found in every mall. Also turkish viagra – found at the spice bazaar in the egyptian market. Doi-Doi restaurant to try good food.. Halvetia locata (food boufet) located parallel to Istiklal before arriving to tunnel, make a right on Asmali sokak and then first left and go to the end -the gate, Halvetia will be on the corner. For 10 liras you get to choose 5 different sides, and the food is really tasty. Milk rice (comes in a dish). Marash ice cream, found at Mado ice cream shops around Istanbul. Grilled fish on Galata bridge. Mussels with rice and cinnamon. Desert with chicken (chicken pudding) Burek – salty pastry with white cheese in it. Cataif Pide – Turkish pizza Chorba – lentil soup Locanta – self-service restaurant
In Istanbul (Turkey) – Sep 8 , 2010
In Turkey (Breakfast in the woods with Mutlu’s family) – Sep 10 , 2010
In Turkey (Hitchhiking to Samsun) – Sep. 13-14, 2010
In Turkey (Hitchhiking to Samsun and Hopa) – Sep. 14-15, 2010
Hitchhiking from Hopa in Turkey to Tbilisi in Georgia Republic) – Sep. 15-16, 2010
In Tbilisi – Georgia Republic – Sep. 16-17, 2010
In Tbilisi – Georgia Republic – Sep. 17-21, 2010
Hitchhiking from Tbilisi to Samsun Turkey Sep. 21-22, 2010 (SORRY: NO AUDIO)
Hitchhiking from Samsun to Istanbul, and then to Sofia Sep. 23-24, 2010 (SORRY: STILL NO AUDIO)
In Sofia (Bulgaria) Sep. 24 – Oct. 1, 2010
Hitchhiking from Sofia (Bulgaria) to Belgrade (Serbia) – Oct. 2, 2010
In Belgrade (Serbia) – Oct. 3-4, 2010
In Belgrade (Serbia) – Oct. 4-6, 2010
Last day in Belgrade (Serbia), next day hitchhiking to Budapest (Hungary) – Oct. 6 -7, 2010
Hitchhiking to Budapest (Hungary) – Oct. 7 + next day in Budapest, 2010
In Budapest (Hungary) – Oct. 8-9, 2010
In Budapest (Hungary) – Oct. 10-12, Hitchhiking to Vienna, 2010
Hitchhiking from Budapest (Hungary) to Vienna (Austria) – Oct. 12, 2010
In Vienna (Austria) – Oct. 12, 2010
In Vienna (Austria) at Pauline’s place – Oct. 12-16, 2010
In Vienna (Austria) – Oct. 16-19, 2010
Hitchhiking from Vienna (Austria) to Prague (Czech Republic) – Oct. 20, 2010
In Prague (Czech Republic) – Oct. 21-25, 2010
In Prague (Czech Republic) – Oct. 26-30, 2010
Hitchhiking from Prague (Czech Republic) to Berlin (Germany) – Oct. 31, 2010
In Berlin (Germany) and Flight back to NYC – Oct. 1-3, 2010
Back in New York.. BIG THANKS To Everyone!!!
BIG THANKS to every couchsurfer and driver who made this trip possible and unforgettable!!! The trip began on August 4 2010 and ended on November 3rd 2010. The only money I took on this 3-month trip was $1000 cash, spending only $833 for food, and the rest for buying an rain jacket in Sofia, warm hat in Vienna, a railroad ticket from Tbilisi to Batumi, hostel for two nights in Odessa.
