Istanbul - Constantinople

Trip Start Nov 29, 2006
1
39
55
Trip End Jul 23, 2007


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Friday, March 30, 2007

I don´t know whether it´s the contrast to the recent trials I´ve had - but Istanbul is, simply said, marvelous!  The city is bustling with activity * mosques calling people to prayer * people haggling over prices * amazing kebabs and turkish delight!
I met a Serbian guy (Marcus) at the airport and we wound up spending the day together exploring the Aya Sofya (a church from 537, during the Roman Empıre which fell during the Conquest of 1453 when it was converted into a mosque), the Grand Bazar (a shoppers paradise), and sampling lots and lots of Turkish Delights from a fine, fine sweets shop.  I am so excited to be back in almost Europe where I am no longer a conspicuous westerner, I recognize hair products, and I am finally dwarfed by other people standing in a line!!  I feel really out of place trotting around in my hippie Kathmandu clothes as they all dress in blacks and browns ... must remedy that soon!
On days 2-5 I wound up exploring the Spice Bazar (read: more Turkish Delight!), the Blue Mosque, the New Istanbul, and a Turkish Bath.  Just fantastic!!
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Comments

maryk504
maryk504 on Apr 3, 2007 at 05:49PM

details!
great pictures! i want to hear more about the bazaar~also i hear they love blondes! any haggling deals?

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