A Tale of Two Continents: Part 1

                Crossing continents via transportation that is not an airplane was a first for me as Joe and I made the hideously long(er than anticipated) bus journey from Malatya to Istanbul.  This was due in part to the 45 min roadside engine trouble stop but the other (more) frequent (than I would have liked) stops for tea along the way were also not appreciated- particularly the one at 2:30am where they turned on all the lights and dulcet Turkish recordings, informing us of are stop- came over the intercom.  By the time we neared Istanbul, we were making quite a few stops to drop people off, and as Joe and I had been told to get off at the last stop, we had to wait quite awhile.  We made it to the bus stop, managed to locate the metro station- which took us to the tram line and then from there to our hotel.  We are staying in a very touristy area- only about a ten minute walk to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Baslica Cistern, Topkani Palace and the Galeta Bridge.  The hotel itself is small and nothing to write home about, but the price and location are superb, so all in all it works out.  As we arrived, we were told that because of Bayram, the Grand Bazaar and Spice Markets would be closed.  This was a sad realization, but the receptionist called a friend and it turned out they were still open that day only.  Joe and I quickly put our stuff in the room and headed to the Grand Bazaar (about a 20min walk) sprawling through the covered market- a person could easily become lost, too dazzled by the colours and smells and sounds to pay attention to where one’s feet are going.  We didn’t buy much (I bought a mug, Joe another bracelet to add to his spreading collection) but you have to say ‘I bought this at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul’ about something.

             

Entrance to the Grand Bazaar

   It was about this point we realized we hadn’t eaten all day (it was about 3pm) and so we headed out to find a restaurant.  The food prices in Istanbul are shocking (about double what we pay in Malatya) which was a bit of a mental adjustment, but they do serve beer and wine most places so that’s a plus.  I got the Sultan’s favourite (lamb and tomato stew on eggplant puree) which is possibly the best restaurant meal I have had since last Christmas- it was superb, and Joe got kofte- always a crowd pleaser.  

Joe was really excited about the beer.

Hünkar Beğendi: The Sultan's favourite

Kofte

After lunch we headed to the Spice Market- wandering through back roads until we found it.  It was absolutely mobbed (Istanbul is a mirage of tourists and languages- and while it is exciting to hear so many languages- it is also a little overwhelming at times.) so we just pushed our way through, stopping ocassionaly (Joe bought some Turkish delight) and then coming out by the water and the New Mosque.  By this point we were pretty wiped from our days adventures and lack of bus sleep, so we headed back to the hotel, watched a movie, and called it a night.

Spice Market