It’s getting to be a comfortable routine around here, aside from the getting lost once in a while. Woke up and went to breakfast for my Turkish coffee. Really going to miss this stuff. Instead of the croissant, I had some other delicious sweet bread thing. Not a sweetbread…ewwwwww…very different.
Remember that Sundays are no big deal here. Mondays are when things close.
Today was rainy and chillier. I lost my umbrella somewhere (as usual) so I did the whole headscarf thing again. Walked across the Hippodrome area to the tram. This was my first encounter today of a man kissing my hand. I must have lost my “don’t mess with me” look today….I though I had it down so well!!! Ugh. Annoying.
On the tram west a couple stops to over by where I was trying to locate the Calligraphy Museum. A little bit further and I took the big road north by foot. I headed up the hill.
Remember that Sundays are no big deal here. Mondays are when things close.
Today was rainy and chillier. I lost my umbrella somewhere (as usual) so I did the whole headscarf thing again. Walked across the Hippodrome area to the tram. This was my first encounter today of a man kissing my hand. I must have lost my “don’t mess with me” look today….I though I had it down so well!!! Ugh. Annoying.
On the tram west a couple stops to over by where I was trying to locate the Calligraphy Museum. A little bit further and I took the big road north by foot. I headed up the hill.
BTW, it is said that Istanbul was built on seven hills. I’m pretty sure I’ve summited at least three of those. Without yoga, some massage, and great shoes, I would be miserable from this whole 8 hours of walking up hill on cobblestones stuff.
So I was headed up this hill by a highway, certainly not in any kind of tourist area. Suddenly, there it was - the remains of the Aqueduct of Valens. That happens a lot around here. Large historic monuments just kinda sneak up on you. OH, there’s something from like 2000 years ago just hanging out like it’s nothing special. The road going underneath is very busy, but I tried to get shots without so many cars.
So I was headed up this hill by a highway, certainly not in any kind of tourist area. Suddenly, there it was - the remains of the Aqueduct of Valens. That happens a lot around here. Large historic monuments just kinda sneak up on you. OH, there’s something from like 2000 years ago just hanging out like it’s nothing special. The road going underneath is very busy, but I tried to get shots without so many cars.
On my way back down the hill to the tram (and to my massage appointment!), the second hand-kisser appeared. This one also asked, “May I kiss you?” I think my sudden laughter drove him away.
On the tram back to Sultanahmet. Had an hour to kill so I thought I’d check Facebook at the hotel. I was surprised nobody had written anything since when I checked it at breakfast. Then I realized that everyone has been sleeping. Oops. When I travel back, I gain 8 hours. I have no idea what that is going to do to me…
So after the massage: I was on my way back to the hotel from the bath house located between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, I got overconfident and turned the wrong way. An extra 45 minutes later and only the beginnings of concern, I finally got back to the hotel. I had headed east instead of south. The great part of the story is as I was just going and going through the neighborhoods that were not nearly as nice as my hotel, continuing to head DOWN because that’s the sea and the highway, all of a sudden BAM historic monument. I believe this is part of the original wall of Constantine, as this stretches all along the coast. I had mentioned it in earlier posts and how it is falling apart and has modern life built into and around it, unlike the wall by the museum yesterday.
I was meaning to see this wall, so that worked out well. I guess. :)
On the tram back to Sultanahmet. Had an hour to kill so I thought I’d check Facebook at the hotel. I was surprised nobody had written anything since when I checked it at breakfast. Then I realized that everyone has been sleeping. Oops. When I travel back, I gain 8 hours. I have no idea what that is going to do to me…
So after the massage: I was on my way back to the hotel from the bath house located between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, I got overconfident and turned the wrong way. An extra 45 minutes later and only the beginnings of concern, I finally got back to the hotel. I had headed east instead of south. The great part of the story is as I was just going and going through the neighborhoods that were not nearly as nice as my hotel, continuing to head DOWN because that’s the sea and the highway, all of a sudden BAM historic monument. I believe this is part of the original wall of Constantine, as this stretches all along the coast. I had mentioned it in earlier posts and how it is falling apart and has modern life built into and around it, unlike the wall by the museum yesterday.
I was meaning to see this wall, so that worked out well. I guess. :)
I decided next I would head to one of those fancy-pants restaurants north of here. I COULD take a cab and get there directly…but I don’t take cabs anymore now that I know this tram system. OK, I really only know one of the tram lines, but close enough. Why pay a 20TL cab fare that usually gets hiked up for an American tourist when I could pay 2TL for the tram? And every single stop has a sign up for this movie. I’m not overly fond of Keanu Reeves, but I’ll always remember his as part of this trip.
I found one of the restaurants for which I was searching when I got over the bridge over by the SALT center. But I’m telling you, it was down a dark street and I was just about to turn around and give up again. I never did find the restaurant I really wanted to go to (Lokanta Maya), but this one was pretty darn good. It was great compared to the earlier meals here. This wasn’t tourist food.
I found one of the restaurants for which I was searching when I got over the bridge over by the SALT center. But I’m telling you, it was down a dark street and I was just about to turn around and give up again. I never did find the restaurant I really wanted to go to (Lokanta Maya), but this one was pretty darn good. It was great compared to the earlier meals here. This wasn’t tourist food.
When I was finished and asked for my check, I went back out to the bridge. It’s getting pretty cold outside, but it’s also beautiful to see the city at night. :) And yep, I guess those guys fish all day long. It's about 6pm here.
Back home. Another great day. My cohorts return late tonight. Tomorrow is our last day!