Turkey is terrific
Trip Start
Jun 07, 2008
1
33
188
Trip End
Jun 28, 2009
Istanbul, Turkey
Saturday, September 20, 2008
This morning, we had a huge breakfast sitting outside by the Bosphurus. I finally had pancakes for the very first time on this trip and they were delicious! But there was also tons of food from Turkey, and also Japan and other places.
After breakfast, we went to a huge shopping mall, because we wanted to get tickets to the soccer game tonight, some books in English and a couple of other things. It was packed with people and had about seven floors. We found a bookstore, but no Harry Potter books, but we got a Sherlock Holmes book. We did find a very cool amusement park inside the mall. I rode the bumper cars and Dad and I rode a super fast Octopus ride. Lu rode the carousel and some little cars. Then Dad and I played two amazing video games, one where we were being attacked by a giant tarantula and another where we drove race cars. It was kind of like being home except everything was in Turkish and I did not recognize any of the stores
The Turkish flag looks cool
.After the mall, we took a taxi to the Old Town, where we went to the Grand Bazaar, the oldest market in the world. They had everything - like the medinas but it was all covered and there were no donkeys or mopeds or even bicycles. We walked through the food part and I bought some Turkish delight, which I love, and some chocolates. Then we walked up to the huge mosque and went inside. Mom had to cover her head with Lu's sweater and I thought she looked weird. The mosque was amazing. Outside, lots of people were getting ready to have Ramadan picnics. We caught the electric tram back and then walked the rest of the way home along the Bosphurus. It was raining a little, but I did not care.
Tonight, Dad and I are going to see Fenerbahce, one of the Turkish premier league football teams play. The stadium is in Asia, where I have never been before! Mom has never been either and I am going to beat her! I can't believe it! Lu and Mom are going to do girl stuff because the game only starts at 9:00PM. I will tell you about it tomorrow.
