Barin Istanbul

... and were pleased to have the pleasant familiar hotel surroundings to return to. Olivia managed to stay out for about 1.5 hours exploring the city the next day before the lingering bug exhausted her and she needed to rest. The boys went off to view the Blue Mosque and Roman Cistern on their own and by all accounts really enjoyed themselves. Later that day Robyn and Chris left the children in the safety of the hotel (now that the boys can legally be left on their own) and headed ...

... I went ın but I notıced there are some bags and all of the lower level beds were taken. So I had to take one of the top ones. The toılet ıs shared, a lıttle smelly and the hot water doesnt run ın one of them. Cant complaın really cuz the room's pretty cheap.

Later a couple from Brazıl walked ın, we chatted abıt and the gırl was askıng ıf she should return the key to the room to receptı ...

Great flight to Istanbul. We are staying on the Asian side, to be recommended. Why? You are able to see the European side, and approach it by the local ferry - only 60p each way! The Asian side is cheaper to stay in and has a fabulous selection of cafes, bars, shops and sights. Great breakfast at the Pansyon. Fly to Eastern Turkey early morning.

... my turkish skills and it does take me a little while to form the correct sentence of what i want to say but thats alright because people are patient. i was actually supposed to be working only with the store manager and the floor manager of women's formalwear but ive ended up floating around from department to department and i am glad that it worked out this way otherwise i wouldnt have met so many great ...

... buildings as well as heaps of mosques. In the afternoon we set out to find the grand bazaar (which has about 4000 shops) however we ended up really lost and ended up at the spice market. This is a really crazy place and if you think the people in Greece really chase you to look in their shops or eat at their restaurant they have nothing compared to the Turkish people! In the end the only way to get away is ...

... have regressed to blunt and often inappropriate garbage. We openly joke, curse, and complain like the obnoxious Americans we are because really, nobody understands us, especially when we use slangs and SAT words. We were in a lounge room in the palace when one said, "So I wonder if the girls in harem sit around here in the morning and say, 'Who boned the Sultan last night?'" -Crude laughter- "No, no, this is where the ...

... Last night was so awesome. It was the quarterfinal match in the EURO 2008 between Turkey and Croatia. I went with one of the girls living in my quad and a friend of hers to this area of the city called Bebek. We tried to find a place to sit down and watch the game but everywhere was so packed! This country goes nuts for its soccer team. The game was unlike any other. It was like Michigan vs. Ohio State times 1000. The game went into overtime with the score at 0-0. In the 119 minute ...

... everywhere we turned, they were there !!! We had to leave, I couldn't take this punishment anymore !!! I walked back into Murats for a tea, and he laid out some more carpets. Maybe it was the abuse I had just received, but I told him to put another three aside. No balls, no ass, who cares !!! I was feeling tight all over, so we hit the hammam for a wash and massage. The little guy I got gave me the full treatment. Digging fingers and elbows in ...

... and even fish, by lowering buckets through holes in their basements. Today there are still fish swimming around in the cistern, and the lighting and gothic music creates a very unique ambience. Later on I caught up with some of the guys from the hostel and they were all heading out to dinner at Taksim and then going out afterwards. Taksim is described as the heart and soul of modern Istanbul , and is a 15 minute tram ride ...