Istanbul is still beautiful, even if it's a late-night layover with an airport change, when you barely have time to grab a bite.

The contrast with Belgrade is striking. It feels like I've landed in a crazy megacity after a peaceful province. You can't get anywhere on foot, and the metro took me over an hour from the center to the outskirts. Everywhere you look, crowds of people rushing around, endless traffic jams, noise and chaos on the streets. Where did that familiar peace go?)

But at least I finally got some real use out of the "free" business lounges, where you can actually get some sleep (in quotes because access is included in the bank's fee). The capsule is more than compact, but I got a good rest. And honestly, even if I had to pay, it would've been way cheaper than a regular hotel. The only catch is that it's after passport control. So if I'd had luggage, I couldn't have gotten there that early.