a little bit of Byzantium

Oh you easyjet and your accessible fares. I may have just found the plan for December that will fulfill an old traveling vow and serve as Prelude to the great Silk Road trek imagined for 2009. For I received an email from the poet Yardimci this morning that confirms his ability to accommodate, and my does he not have a way with run-on words that builds excitement:

So u should definitely make it guys that time. It is fine with me. Even I cant join u in the day time. I will take u out on the nights to Bosphorus or all others. There are loads to do in Istanbul. Many things to do. U should get a Lonely Planet Guide. I can assure u u will have enjoyable time with everything mixed a little bit of Ottoman a
little bit of East Roman a little bit of Byzantium a little bit of Jewish way of living. little bit of Islam, little bit of Mevlana, a bit of Belly dancing, a bit of eating scrumptious food, some sea view, ghetto way of living, agia sophia, well by that time I think there will be snow really.

Beautiful. And just a short jaunt from Istanbul to the cave hotels of Cappadocia and the caravanserais and a land of true foreign mystery. I swear I love planning trips almost more than I enjoy embarking on them. Though I suppose it is the knowledge that I will be following the path dreamed up, set out, and booked from this cubicle that fills the planning with such exhilaration. My will be done.