Woke up a number of times in the morning before finally getting out of bed at 09:00. Took some pictures before venturing out of my room. Was a little surprised to recognize fALk’s flip-flops through an open doorway. He and Willow had gotten in the previous evening around 17:00. Had a cup of tea with them and caught up with the news of their road trip from Berlin. Found out that there was a flea infestation in the house.
The exterior of the house and the view down the street to the garage on the right.
Views of my sparse room.
Our bathroom facilities.
We figured that Michael might be sleeping for a while longer, so we headed out to look for some bread to spread Nutella on. The trip turned into much more of a walking tour than any of us had expected. We found a main pedestrian thoroughfare and followed it, looking for bread, an English to European power adapter, some flea spray and toothbrushes. The bread that I remembered fondly from my trip to Turkey in 1990, turned out to be plain old French style white bread and not that exciting. Some two hours later we returned to the house to find Michael out and his daughter in. We sat down for a little bite with her and her boyfriend in my room. Michael returned shortly thereafter and we talked for an hour or two before we headed out again to take in some of the sights around town. Called Lufthansa to check on my missing bags, but no news. Walked down the hill from the house in Beyoğlu. Wound up by the Kılıç Ali Paşa Camii mosque. We decided to go and check it out. There were several worshippers who had advice for us on proper mosque etiquette. The interior was very nicely appointed it was very tasteful and not overly ornamented. We continued our walk along the Bosphorus to the Galata Bridge. There were a great many fishermen out lining each side of the bridge. Some looked like they were providing more of a bait store service than actually fishing.
Kılıç Ali Paşa Camii mosque
Fishing was a popular pastime along the Bosphorus.
We wandered over the bridge and followed the tram tracks passed Topkapı Palace to the Aya Sofya and the Blue Mosque. Started looking around the Blue Mosque first, as I had recalled it not being nearly as impressive as the Aya Sofya. We got there just at the start of the 17:00 prayer, so had to wait until it was over to enter. The interior was massive, but had a very heavy feel about it. The decorations were very overwrought, with almost every surface covered with arabesque designs. We headed over to the Aya Sofya only to be thwarted by the 15 YTL ($12) entrance fee. I had seen the interior before and neither fALk or Willow were interested in spending that much money.
Views of the Blue Mosque.
Food vendors: roasted corn, the video at this bakery showed someone baking, selling a candy dipped in different colored trays, everyone got a kick out of the apple corer.
Hiked over to the Kapalı Çarsi (Grand Bazaar). It was a massive covered structure with a seemingly endless warren of stalls selling all manner of items for the tourists. Willow and fALk quickly tired and we looked for the nearest way out. Came out into some side streets and Willow began to feel nauseous. She had been flushed earlier and I wondered if she might have a bit of heat exhaustion. We stopped for a rest and then continued down toward the Bosphorus. We made a slight detour into the Mısır Çarşisi (Spice Bazaar.) Michael had warned us that it was an overpriced place for tourists, but we found it to be full of Turks buying groceries.
Views of the Kapalı Çarsi (Grand Bazaar).
The Mısır Çarşisi (Spice Bazaar).
Vendors at the side of the Bosphorus.
Headed back over the Galata Bridge and up the hill to the house. Had some trouble with the lock and in trying not to break the key managed to lock it in some way that it was not supposed to be. Finally got that sorted and inside. Called Lufthansa again and was told that my bags would arrive the following day at 13:30. I was so happy to have some news, and good at that. Will see what shape everything is in when it arrives. Talked a bit with Michael and watched Rubber Johnny before getting some veggie pizza and salad for dinner. Watched The Motorcycle Diaries while we ate. Chatted with Michael and fALk until 03:00. Headed downstairs to get some work done and battle with the fleas that were attracted to the heat coming off my laptop. Finally made it to bed around 06:00 after the 05:00 call to prayer and being kept awake by a neighbor's blaring classical music.
The exterior of the house and the view down the street to the garage on the right.
Views of my sparse room.
Our bathroom facilities.
We figured that Michael might be sleeping for a while longer, so we headed out to look for some bread to spread Nutella on. The trip turned into much more of a walking tour than any of us had expected. We found a main pedestrian thoroughfare and followed it, looking for bread, an English to European power adapter, some flea spray and toothbrushes. The bread that I remembered fondly from my trip to Turkey in 1990, turned out to be plain old French style white bread and not that exciting. Some two hours later we returned to the house to find Michael out and his daughter in. We sat down for a little bite with her and her boyfriend in my room. Michael returned shortly thereafter and we talked for an hour or two before we headed out again to take in some of the sights around town. Called Lufthansa to check on my missing bags, but no news. Walked down the hill from the house in Beyoğlu. Wound up by the Kılıç Ali Paşa Camii mosque. We decided to go and check it out. There were several worshippers who had advice for us on proper mosque etiquette. The interior was very nicely appointed it was very tasteful and not overly ornamented. We continued our walk along the Bosphorus to the Galata Bridge. There were a great many fishermen out lining each side of the bridge. Some looked like they were providing more of a bait store service than actually fishing.
Kılıç Ali Paşa Camii mosque
Fishing was a popular pastime along the Bosphorus.
We wandered over the bridge and followed the tram tracks passed Topkapı Palace to the Aya Sofya and the Blue Mosque. Started looking around the Blue Mosque first, as I had recalled it not being nearly as impressive as the Aya Sofya. We got there just at the start of the 17:00 prayer, so had to wait until it was over to enter. The interior was massive, but had a very heavy feel about it. The decorations were very overwrought, with almost every surface covered with arabesque designs. We headed over to the Aya Sofya only to be thwarted by the 15 YTL ($12) entrance fee. I had seen the interior before and neither fALk or Willow were interested in spending that much money.
Views of the Blue Mosque.
Food vendors: roasted corn, the video at this bakery showed someone baking, selling a candy dipped in different colored trays, everyone got a kick out of the apple corer.
Hiked over to the Kapalı Çarsi (Grand Bazaar). It was a massive covered structure with a seemingly endless warren of stalls selling all manner of items for the tourists. Willow and fALk quickly tired and we looked for the nearest way out. Came out into some side streets and Willow began to feel nauseous. She had been flushed earlier and I wondered if she might have a bit of heat exhaustion. We stopped for a rest and then continued down toward the Bosphorus. We made a slight detour into the Mısır Çarşisi (Spice Bazaar.) Michael had warned us that it was an overpriced place for tourists, but we found it to be full of Turks buying groceries.
Views of the Kapalı Çarsi (Grand Bazaar).
The Mısır Çarşisi (Spice Bazaar).
Vendors at the side of the Bosphorus.
Headed back over the Galata Bridge and up the hill to the house. Had some trouble with the lock and in trying not to break the key managed to lock it in some way that it was not supposed to be. Finally got that sorted and inside. Called Lufthansa again and was told that my bags would arrive the following day at 13:30. I was so happy to have some news, and good at that. Will see what shape everything is in when it arrives. Talked a bit with Michael and watched Rubber Johnny before getting some veggie pizza and salad for dinner. Watched The Motorcycle Diaries while we ate. Chatted with Michael and fALk until 03:00. Headed downstairs to get some work done and battle with the fleas that were attracted to the heat coming off my laptop. Finally made it to bed around 06:00 after the 05:00 call to prayer and being kept awake by a neighbor's blaring classical music.
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