Istanbul (Not Constantinople)

If you’ve ever lost sleep wondering why Constantinople got the works, you can now rest easy: I’ve discovered the answer. My extensive research, which consisted of making stuff up while drinking wine, shows irrefutably that the word ‘Constantinople’ was Byzantine Greek for ‘Place where it doesn’t rain every fucking day;’ the Ottomans, in their [...]

No Sleep ‘Til Istanbul

I had a few options as to how to get to Istanbul from Budapest: a seat on a 24-hr bus, a bed on a 33-hr train, or a two-hour plane ride. After considering these options and allowing myself numerous chuckles related to the 1987 classic Planes, Trains & Automobiles, I opted for the train. [...]