First impressions about Istanbul: it's not the place for me

A fucking dangerous place, that's what Istanbul makes me think after
the first couple of hours.

Dangerous for people and their wallets.

But let's start from the beginning.

Once in Ataturk airport I decide to smoke a cigarette and find the way
to the city...and not even a minute passes before a taxi driver
approaches me offering me his services.
Luckily i ask him how much will the drive be...finding souspiciously
expensive the 40 liras he proposes me.
When i try to negotiate a ride for half of the price he gets angry and
tells me that 20 liras used to be the price some 5 years ago...
Meaning 40 or nothing.
And nothing is my choice then.

Done with my first Turkish cigarette, i move to another cab i choose
cause the driver is reading and not running after potemtial clients.
I
This time i ask immediately for 20 liras and him, being unusually
honest, tells me that it might take 25...still fine for me.
The drive to the hotel is smooth, istanbul is grey and rainy but, at
least, i have a 4 stars bed where to collapse and recover after two
awful nights.

Soon it gets time for going out and discover the city...not realizing
that doing it without a map in a 14M people place is just...crazy.

In few minutes i'm right outside Santa Sofia, which beauty obliged me
to take my camera out for some shots.

Bad choice my dear.
Too bad choice.

It takes no longer than 4 pics, in fact, for being approached by 2
guys who, after a one minute chat, propose me to go and get a tea with
them.
Why not, i think.

So we move to a bar, sit and start enjoying our friendly -freaking
hot- drink.
The conversation is nice, they tell me they are here for businness and
i discover that the one with the best english is from ankara while the
other, with a bizzarre nose, just arrived from maroc.
What a company.

The more we talk, the more their "my friend" and "my brother" go on...
The more i start feeling less suspicious and more guilty for my bad
thinking about their openness.

Soon the tea is over so they propose me to move to a bar, get a beer
and listen to some local music.
And, again, why not.

We start walking and with the fastest move ever, they put me in the
back seat of a cab.

Now it does sound suspicious.

For quieting me, they try to explain that the area with the best
places is another one... But soon we will get back cause tomorrow is a
working day.

After crossing a bridge we finally reach the place, hiddem behind a
velvet blue door...
And there i finally realize everything.

Some apparently slavic girl are dancing in a small, dark dance floor,
dressed as i was when i came to life.
A polite girl gets my coat and drive us to a table next to a group of
some other stunning girls sitting silent.

Unfortunately for them i already know how dangerous these things can
get... Paris taught me a lot...

So i politely try to explain to my brothers that it's not the right
place for me... And that i don't want to get any drink there.

They start to get quite nervous and stop using english... And i don't
really know how to run away from there.

Or,better to say... There's nothing left other than running away!

So.. I stand up, walk straight to the door, ask for my coat for going
outside for a phonecall and cross the velvet door again.
But i'm not alone...
A guy from the clib just went out with me...

So.. Better to stay calm..

I take my mobile out of my pocket... Act as i'm calling and..
Puff!
I jump in the middle of the road when a taxi pass.

Safe.
Now i'm safe.

Writing this first report from a restaurant next tp my hotel and
wondering how great being in tallinn would be.

Dal mio iPhone