Day 1: Istanbul

Istanbul: Day 1

                                                Me, Hanging out in Istanbul 

Me at the Ferry

This day truly started in Israel.  4:30 AM flight- arrived 7AM.  Completely sad for a moment at finally leaving Israel, but thrilled to be in a new country.  I had forgotten to write the directions to the hostel and the internet at the airport was not working.  Instead of panicking, I worked on my paper from my Israel semester.  I walked up to a guy that was kind enough to let me use his phone and we figured out the internet together.  Next step: actually finding the hostel.  After a bus, a tram (that I took 3 times because I didn’t realize that I was supposed to get off after 1), and another tram, I walked around the same square until three old men looked at me, again, and told me where to go.  I put my stuff down and got ready to explore the city!

As I was leaving the hostel, I overheard that the Asian side is supposed to be especially good on Tuesdays (that day), so I decided that I would go to Asia.  Walked towards the water and, oh look, 1^st boat I see, I get on.  I think I’m going to the Asian side?  At this point I’m not sure.  I just wanted to go somewhere and this ferry would take me to a new location.  I tried asking several people but no one spoke English.  I walked around for a bit still not knowing where I was.  It was nice.  There were little stands everywhere and I bought little snacks (a roll, a mini-schwarma).  I went to a big hotel to get a map and learn where I was, and yes, I was in ASIA!  This is a little trick that I’ve learned.  Go into random hotels for directions because they almost always speak English, can guide you to where you want to go or somewhere better, and have good maps of the area that they will give you (and they are friendly).  The area that I had been in with the markets was supposed to be spectacular.  It seemed like a normal modern city, full of locals and normal day activities.  I tried to walk around and find something else, but you know how I am with directions.  After about an hour, I decided I was done.  Caught the ferry again (the most relaxing part of the day) and went back to the room to get the other battery for the camera.

The Grand Bazaar

I then decided that I wanted to explore the spice market / grand bazaar.   This time it wasn’t my fault.  I followed all signs ad got to where I was supposed to be.  I was very unimpressed.  It was an ordinary outdoor market.  Wonderful things I could have bought… rakes, butcher’s hooks, string, beans… great things for a tourist.  I kept walking and bought some cherries for a break.  On my walk back, I found the point at which I started the Bazaar walk and would you believe, I walked the wrong way.  The Bazaar / spice market are on the left.  The outdoor local market is on the right.  I did find it!  Props to brother Nathan.  It was so cool.  Definitely something worth the many wrong turns.  Like a giant shuk but even more crowded.  I was convinced to buy several desserts, which I will eat throughout the nights!  One dried fruit/walnut, dried fruit/almond, grape leaf / fruit, and two date / walnuts (his favorite) (probably the most expensive) (also way too simple, remove the pit from the date and put a walnut inside-done).  It was good!  I got dinner of a fish sandwich.  It consisted of fish, bread, and lettuce.  But really fresh fish.  There is a little market by the water that vendors sell the fis they caught.  A little girl was crying because the vendor would take them out of the water so that she could eat them for  her future dinner.

Pretty view of a Mosque

I thought the sun was going to set soon, so I waited 45 minutes, but the sky was too cloudy so see anything spectacular.  I did have an...umm...interesting interaction with a local.  I was kinda napping on the pier when this 17 year old Muslim girl taps me on my shoulder and tries hinting at me to take a picture of them.  I did and then she made me stand up to take another one of her and her friends.  They kept giggling and she said she wanted to leave a memory.  Right... that’s what photos are for.  She took my notebook and pen and signed the last page.  So did her friend.  They’ve left their memory on me- that’s for sure!  Two guys just walked over- one with a guitar the other with a professional looking microphone and camera.  I might just keep sticking around until I figure out what is happening.  I think he is recording a proposal via his song.  And he’s Irish.  Also, the date/walnut is good.  Too simple, but good.