My first impressions were that it reminded me of a combination of Disneyland, Athens, Aladdin, and San Francisco all put together in a place. The experiences have ranged from running across the Galata bridge and piling into the bazar like cattle to avoid torrential rain, taking off shoes and pulling our scarves over our head to enter the magnificent mosques, trying to keep up with our teacher Cameron as he walks full speed ahead and only being able to spot his balding head up in front of us, dodging speeding cars and people and trams that do not stop or pull over for any pedestrian that might be in the way.
The bazars are a sensory overload, with more colors and smells and noise in one place that I've ever seen. I've gotten pretty good at haggling for a better price, which is surprising because I thought that would be the hardest part. I've also gotten better at ignoring..which is completely necessary when you have men standing outside yelling "Hello, please" and "Spice Girls" and "Charlie's Angels". And won't stop until you've given in and gone in their shop.
My favorite spot is Guilane park, filled with tulips and bright flowers, and grasses and fountains. Untouched by the complete chaos surrounding it, giving you a breath from the city. I plan to go back on a beautiful day and sit and read in the shade of the trees...not only is it beautiful and refreshing, but it's free! (unless you decide to buy some Turkish ice cream)
On the other side of the Galata bridge and up a few steep stone streets lies Istiklal street (means "Liberation") which is a massive shopping district (complete with a movie theatre, where I was FINALLY able to see the Hunger Games movie in English with Turkish subtitles. There was even a bathroom break intermission in the middle of the movie). The street is alive with locals playing Turkish instruments, loud clothing shops and bars, blue lights overhead the masses of people and passing trolley, and lit buildings showcasing the stacked building architecture. Basically San Francisco in Turkey.
There was even a peaceful protest (first one we've seen) that passed by when we were in a dessert shop that sounded like a parade with drummers and signs, apparently protesting some immigrants that had been shot a little while back by police. There were police behind them making sure it didn't get out of hand, but we stayed out of the commotion anyway.
The restaurants like to charge alot, and slip in extra charges if you're not careful. And we learned the first night that when musicians come to your table and you clap, they charge you (once again, getting good at ignoring). But the apple tea they serve you at the end of your meal is delightful...like cider.
I've never been much of a tea person but I'm addicted.
The amount of photos I've taken borders on outrageous, so I'm separating posts by date...these ones are from the night we arrived:
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| Leaving Paros |
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| Waiting in Athens airport |
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| Approaching Istanbul! |
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| Lit up Gourds...reminded me of Lite Brites! |
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| Inflated bread, very popular here |
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| What started my apple tea obsession |
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