by supersub » Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:25 am
It was as though everyone had decided now was the time to head for the Stadium.loads of taxi's but non empty.It didn't help that it was rush-hour,but fortunately we grabbed a cab after somebody jumped out.4 of us climbed in with banners and poles and a crate of ale for good measure..no beer outside the Stadium!
I like to think myself a seasoned traveller,well I am,but I had commited the cardinal sin when in a foreign land and a huge Metropolis too boot:I had left the Hotel without a card with the name and address on.To make matters worse my brother had done the same thing and they couldn't remember the full name of the hotel they were in.The cab driver gave it a shot anyway but was heading in the wrong direction.Stop! was the cry and the ride ended there.We then ran back to Taksim Sq and made our way to the correct side of the road this time to at least catch a cab going our way.We walked desperately trying to hail anything.Cab after cab shot by with the our fellow supporters hanging out of windows singing their heads off.A young Turkish lad noticed our dilema and offered to get us a cab for a fee.Sure enough he took us to a side street and bingo we were in."Get across the water over the bridge and take us to the hotels ,please"..6.00p.m. was approaching fast.The journey to Taksim Sq took 15 minutes,so far we had travelled 1/2 a mile from the Sq and it had cost us 30 minutes.Well off we went across the bridge noticing land-marks we had seen on our outward trip then the cab turns left ,he is heading for the Besiktas Hotel.We came to a sudden stop,he could go no further and we all had to leave the cab.The cab driver informed us that the hotels we were seeking were at the top of the hill,but no cabs can go up the hill because it is a tram-way.Odd I don't remember any trams.We decided to make haste up the hill,time was not on our side.Up dale down dale we searched not recognising anywhere.We reached the summit and headed for another taxi rank;we were surrounded by cabbies and their off-spring all wanting to help,but showing little idea of were our hotels where .Eventually one cab-driver offered to take us for a fixed fee.We were desperate,if he got us to the hotels he would get the fee plus the job of taking us to the stadium.
Well he drove this way and that way,then this way and that way.Stopped and asked this person and that person,then drove a little more."That's it" shouts my brother.The driver takes his wad of cash and declines the chance to search for our Hotel and leaves.The coach has goneso my brother and Robbie will now share a taxi with rod and myself to try and find our hotel.The Besiktas manager hails a cab and gives him an address we assumed was the correct address for my hotel ,so off we went again.About 100 yards up the road we see the same taxi rank from before with the same cabbie laughing with his comrades,we've been had good style.
This taxi trip had been going for about 10-15 minutes and it didn't feel right.The cabbie was stopping and asking directions too often.We pile out and go into what looked a posh hotel.The manager was very helpful,knew whaere we wanted and called another cab.Up stepped our saviour,but sadly I've forgotten his name."I know where you want,my brother-in-law works there".In no time at all we had recovered our bags and we were on our way to the Stadium.We had missed the coach by an hour,it had taken 2 hours to get back from Taksim Sq."Don't worry I will get you to the game" was the cabbies call and boy did we fly.We weaved this way and that way,toot toot at everyone holding us up.At last we could see other reds on their way,hanging out of windows singing their heads off.The relief was immense,open another can and get relaxed again was the general consensus...then we hit the QUEUE!!...
....TO BE CONTINUED
THERE'S A GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW SHINING AT THE END OF EVERY DAY.
THERE'S A GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW AND TOMORROW IS JUST A DREAM AWAY.
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