I didn’t leave the hotel until about 1pm, due to catching up on blogs. I overdressed (not nearly as cold today), asked the front desk to be sure none of my plans took me through areas I need to be concerned as a woman on her own (nope), and bought a couple tram tokens. Ready to go. Seriously only 3 days ago and I would’ve been very hesitant. I didn’t “get” the city yet. It was overwhelming. And then all of a sudden >> GOT IT.
I walked up through the ‘hood, past the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Saw the tram stop over by the Basilica Cisterns. This all used to seem so far away and it’s really not. Had looked at my map and the scribbled words for which way the tram goes, got my token, and went through the turnstile.
Well, I tried to go through. It didn’t work. I backed away trying not to show my confusion. Lots of other people were going through the turnstiles, but they all had the Istanbulkart. They flash a card on the reader and they go through. FINALLY I saw some tourists with tokens go through. They did exactly what I did, but used a different machine. I immediately tried and got through no problem. Made sure I was going the “Kabatas” direction.
Tram arrived. I got on like a boss. :) Watched and had remembered the stop I needed: Eminönü. I just remembered it was something like “eeny-meeny-miny-mo”. Stop came, I got off, and looked around. I was right by one of the bridges that goes north, connecting Europe to Europe, though the bridge to Asia was in sight.
I walked up through the ‘hood, past the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Saw the tram stop over by the Basilica Cisterns. This all used to seem so far away and it’s really not. Had looked at my map and the scribbled words for which way the tram goes, got my token, and went through the turnstile.
Well, I tried to go through. It didn’t work. I backed away trying not to show my confusion. Lots of other people were going through the turnstiles, but they all had the Istanbulkart. They flash a card on the reader and they go through. FINALLY I saw some tourists with tokens go through. They did exactly what I did, but used a different machine. I immediately tried and got through no problem. Made sure I was going the “Kabatas” direction.
Tram arrived. I got on like a boss. :) Watched and had remembered the stop I needed: Eminönü. I just remembered it was something like “eeny-meeny-miny-mo”. Stop came, I got off, and looked around. I was right by one of the bridges that goes north, connecting Europe to Europe, though the bridge to Asia was in sight.
The Galata Tower was right over the bridge. It’s all coming together. I walk out near the bridge and see all the fisherman. As I was getting in close to photograph the bait, this fisherman just looked at me and grinned. I gave the international laugh and thank you, warm fuzzies, and on my way. The water is very blue here.
I looked across the large road and see a humongous mosque. I’m really so thankful for all of the mosques because landmarks like that can’t be missed. They help when finding my spot on a map and they help when I’m wandering a street trying to find some sort of landmark above the buildings. But how to get there?
I saw a stair going underneath the ground and figured, “I bet that goes somewhere important.” It did…once I got past the multiple children in pajamas begging and all the people selling things in the tunnel. I got a lot of “Are you Turkish?” today by the salesmen. Even if I appear Turkish, you wouldn’t ask a Turk this in English, so….nice try, guys. On the other side and voila! Where I needed to be.
The mosque has a funny sign by the door and seems fitting per Istanbul. The “New Mosque” from 1597.
I saw a stair going underneath the ground and figured, “I bet that goes somewhere important.” It did…once I got past the multiple children in pajamas begging and all the people selling things in the tunnel. I got a lot of “Are you Turkish?” today by the salesmen. Even if I appear Turkish, you wouldn’t ask a Turk this in English, so….nice try, guys. On the other side and voila! Where I needed to be.
The mosque has a funny sign by the door and seems fitting per Istanbul. The “New Mosque” from 1597.
I began to walk. Cats, cats, and more cats. And these shopkeepers LOVE these cats. I mean, of course they do because they keep lots of other very bad things away or in their cat tummies. I cannot imagine all the rats that must exist in the sewers in that ancient city. Ewwwww.
I got to the door of the Spice Bazaar and walked in. It was just like a smaller version of the Grand Bazaar. It’s not like there were more spices. It was just smaller. I bought a few things for Christmas presents and got an Evil Eye for my door at home.
Then I wandered along the street. Anytime I thought I might be lost, I just looked for the tall minaret from the massive “new” mosque between the bazaar and the tram. Of course, there were about three more mosques within a close distance, but this one was really big. Shops, shops, and more shops. For how conservative many Muslims appear to be, there were a few shops that would make a heathen blush. The image below with the awkwardly placed price tag is not one of those stores. This just made me laugh.
Another thing I realized is that those cheap necklaces always for sale at tourist traps that have everybody’s name to buy? Not mine. And not many that I would recognize.
There were other things like a big area that appeared to be selling something like Lotto tickets. ??? People bought them and immediately started scratching something off.
Another thing I realized is that those cheap necklaces always for sale at tourist traps that have everybody’s name to buy? Not mine. And not many that I would recognize.
There were other things like a big area that appeared to be selling something like Lotto tickets. ??? People bought them and immediately started scratching something off.
Caught the tram back the other way, “Bagcilar”. It was about 3pm and getting busier. Rode to the Sultanahmet stop and got off. “Polis” were putting a gate-type thing up all along the road by the Hippodrome. I assume it’s some sort of traffic control thing for when the Pope comes to visit the Haggia Sophia and Blue Mosque this weekend. There were significantly more people than when we arrived a week ago and came directly to this very spot. It could be because the weather is a good ten degrees warmer or it could be the Pope’s visit. I’m not sure.
Walked the block or two to my hotel to drop off the purchased items and many layers of clothing I didn’t need compared to yesterday. Arrived at the traditional Turkish Bath (Hamam) around 4. To summarize that experience, if you ever get a chance to do this, DO IT. Pay the money (about 80 euros for the basic treatment, which is a deal). Enjoy it. Wow.
Got done and felt all relaxed and fantastic. Stopped by the restaurant attached and ordered something that was like a cross between a gyros and ravioli with yogurt sauce and olive oil. It was pretty yummy. And water to drink.
Walked the block or two to my hotel to drop off the purchased items and many layers of clothing I didn’t need compared to yesterday. Arrived at the traditional Turkish Bath (Hamam) around 4. To summarize that experience, if you ever get a chance to do this, DO IT. Pay the money (about 80 euros for the basic treatment, which is a deal). Enjoy it. Wow.
Got done and felt all relaxed and fantastic. Stopped by the restaurant attached and ordered something that was like a cross between a gyros and ravioli with yogurt sauce and olive oil. It was pretty yummy. And water to drink.
BTW, a couple of things about Istanbul that is similar to other spots in Europe:
1) You must ask for the check. It is considered rude to leave it at the table before you ask.
2) If you want water, you have got to order it. It will arrive as a normal bottled water with a glass. I assume that the water from the tap isn’t too reliable around here. I drank some from the tap the first night we got here before I realized it might be a bad idea, but nothing bad happened.
3) They are on a 24 (not 12am, 12pm) clock. No big deal, but yes I did unfortunately sound like an American and said, “so at 4- no, I mean 16 o’clock.” (instead of 16 hundred)
Overall, it was a very full, very wonderful day. AGAIN. :) I have many things planned for the next 2 days, including the library and maybe the aqueducts and that calligraphy museum. Seriously, there are museums on every corner it seems. There are bits of history just mixed in amongst the modern, especially in this part of Istanbul, formerly Constantinople. And speaking of which, I still need to get down for a close-up of the wall.
Thank you for following along! :)
1) You must ask for the check. It is considered rude to leave it at the table before you ask.
2) If you want water, you have got to order it. It will arrive as a normal bottled water with a glass. I assume that the water from the tap isn’t too reliable around here. I drank some from the tap the first night we got here before I realized it might be a bad idea, but nothing bad happened.
3) They are on a 24 (not 12am, 12pm) clock. No big deal, but yes I did unfortunately sound like an American and said, “so at 4- no, I mean 16 o’clock.” (instead of 16 hundred)
Overall, it was a very full, very wonderful day. AGAIN. :) I have many things planned for the next 2 days, including the library and maybe the aqueducts and that calligraphy museum. Seriously, there are museums on every corner it seems. There are bits of history just mixed in amongst the modern, especially in this part of Istanbul, formerly Constantinople. And speaking of which, I still need to get down for a close-up of the wall.
Thank you for following along! :)