Allstar Lamartine Hotel Istanbul

... about the air quality in Istanbul on far too many days, nor the crazy traffic either. However, I totally loved the life down by the water.

I did indeed find a good coffee joint to hang my hat a couple (or more) times. It was at a little cafe called "Cinaralta" right on the water, near the ferry terminal in Cengelkoy, one of Istanbul's many port communities. O and I would sit right by the water and watch ...

... 305;lets that ıs just a hole ın the wall. It was to the left as you walk ın the room and to my rıght the men,s room or nıne thıousand lovely urınals wıth sınks and mırrors and soap . .. wow.
For the fırst tıme I was flustered, felt small, felt second rate . . It shook me.

When I got back to the table . . I thınk Alı was waıtıng there to see my face and ıt was whıte . . ı ...

... our sense of direction to find our way, which at 6 in the morning doesn't really work all that well.
We did eventually find the tram. It was now time for the locals to go to work, they were not the happiest of campers, with the four of us and our backpacks squeezing in nicely. I don't think there was to many injuries.
We left the tram with dirty looks and muttered insults, we remember from last year that the ...

... salvation, health and wealth are all bases of people's religious framework. But God loves and really only desires love in return. So, here in the capital of several empires, I sit, grateful for the free choice to love God in return for his love freely given. Governments and emperors can issue edicts and pass laws, but they can't make true relationship. They can convert a space from the use of one religion to another and build ever bigger structures. And ...

... 22.00 to Bucharest please" I smiled, hiding just how much I wanted to get on the train (PLEASE! Have room for me! A seat will do!, I'll even go on the roof!, just please no more buses!. Don't send me back to the Octagon. You want Western girls? If you get me a seat I'll get you some western girls mate) To my infinite delight he quickly filled out a form and stamped it. Yes!. I was so happy I treated myself to an extortionately expensive map ...

... Now am very tired and about to go back to hotel for a rest. The tour we went on yesterday was very nice - especially the cruise down the Bosphorous. We saw an exclusive club for the Galatasaray Football club which is where Harry Kewell now is. As well as the houses for all the rich people. Saw some of the other palaces which we are going to visit tomorrow. Well that is all for today. Hope all is well over there. XOXO

... We went to the Bistro on board and had a coffee and a snack since we hadn't had any lunch. Entertainment that evening was a nonstop 70 minute musical tour of 29 different countries complete with slides by a pianist, with the accompaniment of a drummer and bass player. It was well done and he deserved the standing ovation we gave him. Being Turkish, he gave a narration when we cruised through the Dardanelles, which I will highlight when I do tomorrow's sea day.

... from all over Europe and Asia.  On the roof, they served breakfast overlooking the water with a view of the Blue Mosque, where gulls congregated in the lights at night, perhaps for fun. Near the Galata Bridge, fishermen brought their catch to make fresh fish sandwiches for everyone, some cooking the meal from a small boat.  Dolphins also fished, under the bridge.  On many days, I ate a sandwich for lunch.  Just up the trolley street, was a good fasulye ...

... We chose the historical and famous Chamberlitas Hammami. Upon entering there is an open room with three levels made all of wood. After choosing from the bath's menu (I signed up for the luxury treatment) I was directed to the first level where my "locker" was located and Michelle went to the women's section. The locker was a small room with a bed where I changed into the traditional pestimal, a thin towel worn around the ...

Yesterday I channeled Earth Kitt as I crossed the Bosphorus on a ferry. "In Turkey there is a little village..." I was headed to Uskudar on the Asian side so that I could capture some photos. I then grabbed another ferry to Eminonu which is near the Galata bridge. For about a buck you can take the ferry across - your reward for being cheap is fabulous views of Topkapi and Dolmabace palaces, the Galata Tower, several mosques including Sultan ...