Titanic City Hotel Istanbul

... of popcorn that was cooked over coals in a cart in the street. It made me want to go to the movies. The Michael Jackson movie is opening here on October 28. I might just go.<br><br>Thanks to those who sent updates on Herman's panel and opening. I was telling them here that everything went well without me which is so annoying. All is well here and I still love it and there is so much to discover and the layers are peeling off and I can see how the past and future come ...

... that we were the only people there and that the dishes had all been washed and were drying on the counter. In noticing this, I was like, "We can totally leave... I didn't realize you were closing."<br><br>They weren't.<br><br>Anyhow, one thing led to another and we ended up stopping by three times the following day. Got to know the owner and the guys working there.<br><br ...

... and lots of fun apart from lots of drunk aussies and kiwis! 3 Aleppo (Syria Really nice city with relaxed vibe and nice to wonder aro und the markets 4 Cairo (Egypt) Great city cheap food and a good vibe just alki ng around 5 Goreme (Turkey) Ok not really a c ity b ut a lovely place and so peaceful definatley wort h the trip Top Countrys 1 Syria Absoultley loved it and a close call with Jordan as to which was the better country It ...

... about 5 men wearing white skirt things spin and spin in a "spiritual" experience while a band plays some slow and steady music. So we went to that and then to a seafood dinner where a real belly dancer went around the whole restaurant doing her thing. It was a fun night overall. The next day we saw all the mosques and another famous palace. The mosques were pretty cool, but since it is the "off" season they were being renovated in some parts, so that was kind of ...

... market, which, according to my count, had over 200 stands of product ranging from produce to bed sheets. Knowing very little Turkish we did manage to purchase rice, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, onions, and peppers- mostly by holding out coins, pointing, and holding up objects. It was fun to listen to the vendors shout out in an attempt to get you to their stands. The atmosphere was very friendly and even ...

... up to the main road. The guide hails cars off the street, not necessarily taxis, arranges a price and sends us off, hoping the driver finds the right place (the accepted norm here - good for helping with car expenses. Have to assume the crime rate is minimal here - one advantage of a Police state. Can't imagine it being successful in Sydney!) Three taxis later, we have all arrived at "SimSim", a large Russian restaurant ...

... Helen and went to another sit on the floor place -- in this one the ladies who make gozleme do it right up the front of the restaurant so i decided to have one of those and as usual it was great. The waiter though was so on and off and it was kind of hard to dislike him even though he was a bit arrogant. We headed home just after 9pm - exhausted from our shopping expedition and looking forward to a day of rest tomorrow..

... included two beaut&#305;ful palaces and a cruise up the Bosphorus to almost the Black Sea w&#305;th Istanbul Europe on one side and Istanbul Asia on the other. Turkey is the only country in the world that &#305;s spread over two continents. Our plans to move onto Greece tonight were forced to be changed as the overnight train was canceled due to flooding in northern Greece. So we are booked to go tomorrow night which cuts our time in Greece down ...

... setting was so lovely. The meal was below standard and way overpriced. Jess had vaguely expressed an interest in calamari so I had to make sure that she had it. We ordered a plate for 20 lira and along came 8 pieces of fairly tasteless battered calamari. The rest of the meal was about the same and once they had added a 20% cover charge and a 15% service charge (none of which, of course, was mentioned on the menu) the bill was 70 lira. Way too much for ...

... over istanbul in the 15th century, with much of the christian mosaic tiling covered by paint and ceramic. in the 20th century, the sophia was deemed a museum and erol tells me that the pope is now disallowed from praying in the building (although he tries to every time he goes). the thing is truly an incredible feat of architecture and human work -- incredibly open, beautiful, colorful; an exceptional display of the ...