Madison Hotel Istanbul

... on. There were quıte a few people waıtıng, and after 30 mıns (I guess, sınce I dont carry a watch) the bus came and agaın I had an adventure communıcatıng wıth the drıver on how much the fare ıs. He poınted out three fıngers and had hıs lıttle fınger crossed. I thought ıt was 3 mınus 1, so I gave hım 2 TLs, but after he showed me the coıns, I knew ıt ...

... and beautiful. At the end of our tour we were forced to sit through a Turkish carpet making demonstration, which was a pain, but also interesting. It was more of a sales pitch, but we were able to escape at the end of the presentation and we did score some delicious apple tea. After we finished with the tour and everything else, we headed back to the port and left for Mykanos, Greece.

... windows came from Venice, but have now been replaced. The effect is still striking.<br><br>We spent five hours wandering through the three buildings comprising the Archeological Museum, where we saw some of the most incredible sarcophogi! There were many carved<br>marble statues, items removed from Troy, and a gorgeous building highlighting the development of the types of Iznik tiles. We were overloaded by 5 hours, so didn't even get to the basement area of items found in area near ...

... covered from head to toe and their friends wearing tight-fitting designer jeans and heavy make-up. It seems Turks are very tolerant for the most part and that of course made our time there a bit easier than perhaps it had been in Morocco or Egypt as two single western women traveling alone. In fact, despite the call to prayer (heard anywhere and everywhere no matter how isolated you may think you are), and obvious signs of religion and ancient tradition throughout, Turks are ...

... of her is Constantine offering her the city of Constantinople and on her other side is Emperor Justinian offering her the Aya Sofya- really beautiful. The Tomb of Sultan Ahmet I is near as well. Small building with cool tilework. You take off your shoes &amp; women have to cover their heads (thank goodness I have a thing for pashiminas- comes in handy). The Sultan was 28 when he died and there are 12+ small caskets ...

... highlights of the day. I ate a local "bread doughnut" covered in sesame seeds. I don't think Turkey is big on salt as it was blander than dirt. Istanbul is a very busy, hot and dirty city. I learned that 90% is actually in Asia and the small remainder is in Europe. There is a bridge that connects the two sides. Istanbul is really spitting distance from Russia; as the Black Sea is the only thing that separates the two ...

... insurance. Like I said, Adult Only bus trips. I endorse them. Anyway, I will leave you there for now. I am days behind in travel blogs, in fact I am writing this from the Mediterranean resort city of Kusadasi, after having spent 2 days in Cappadocia, another 14 hour night on a baby-express bus, and a day in Pamukkale. But alas, my back is sore, I am still tipsy from the double shot of raki I drank at dinner, and I am craving an air conditioner like there's no tomorrow. Until next time...

... The interactions are warm and loving (with the addition of the very Turkish double cheek kiss with every handshake) , and little attention is paid to the non-amplified service happening at the front. I move closer so I can hear a little better, but still can't really understand and was handed a chumash instaed of a prayer book when I entered so I have no chance of following along anyway. Still, though people aren't ...

... the world for you though. I had the chance to stop at a nice cafe and eat some excellent Turkish pastries. I can't really say what was in them but they were great! Like I said... I only had 12 hours. I will return to take a much longer look around as there is so much to see. All in all the people were very friendly and I enjoyed it much.

... while 5 huge tourist buses block all traffic as they try to disgorge their loads. Its incredible how these Istanbul drivers can manoeuvre past each other or through the narrow streets thronging with people, with only inches to spare! · The sheer mass of boat traffic up and down the Bosphorus each day. · Hundreds of beautiful mosques and minarets all over the skyline · The lovely old marble water fountains dotted all over the old part of the city ...