Chapter 3 – PREPARATION FOR GOING TO ISTANBUL
As i remember the first time when I contacted and I was talking with Remedy was 19 November 2023. So basically one month later I arrived in Istanbul.
Regarding the stretching period before the surgery, as doctors asks to wait 1-3 months for preparing the muscles, tendons, joints... for me wasn't necessarily, because I am was more than prepared, as you know...
So, first problem I had it was finding all details I need about hospital, hotel, breakfast, kitchen in my studio, programs, etc... because I had to organize my money so I can cover all expected and un-expected spending.
Second problem was the transportation to Istanbul. First time I wanted to come with my car and parking it for 4 month in the hotel's parking. But I had few obstacles: I am not sure if I can drive safely after 4 months / I have to remove the battery and keep it with me at the hotel room with an intelligent charger / and also I found they don't accept LPG cars under ground, which is normal.
With my car it could cost me only 100 euro for round trip, but now I had to pay 320 euro for the round trip airplane, with free changing the return, just in case.
Third problem was the biggest, because I am from an EU country and Turkey is not, so transferring such a big amount of money is much more expensive than within EU. Also takes much more time.
I had an idea of getting a banking card in euro and to pay everything simple, on POS. But, I found something very bad.... Turkey charge you 2% for any transaction with a foreigner card... so it would cost me totally 2000 euro, only the turkey commission for all my payments !
So, that is a theft and I am not stupid enough to let them rip me off !
So, finally I found a better and much cheaper way to make banking transfers. But still is complicated because my banks need to contact me so I can confirm that its me and I ordered the transfer. A big pain in the a s s every time !
Finally I could pay the deposit, 2 days before arriving in Istanbul...
The fourth problem was my every day living routine. I eat every morning toasted bread, so in the kitchen they don't have it. But, Batu resolved it and he promised me I will have it.
I found air ticket with 2x23 kg checked luggage, so I filled them with my food I had it home, to not throw in garbage my food. Also I put 6 kg honey, because I eat every day honey and in Turkey cost 20 times more than in my country !!.... I couldn't believe that.
Also I took lots of herbal tea for 4 months, because I like and trust my tea.
And last thing, I went out to buy the all supplements need for 4 months, other than Vit D3 and Calcium they give me anyways, so I mean: Phosphorous, Zn, Mn, Mg, Vit K2, Vit C, Bioperine, Omega 3 with fish oil, Spirulin, Creatine, Melatonin and Colagen.
All of them were carefully calculated as concentration and number of pills for 4 months needs.
I paid a lot for them, but in Turkey cost 3 times more !
So, I was prepared and I headed to the airport with the hope they will give me all they promised and also they will keep being nice with me, for the entire period of 4 months that I will stay there…