The best invention of Istanbul- Baked potato bars. For about $2.50 you can get unlimited toppings on a huge baked potato!
The Blue Mosque
Sultanahmet- The Blue Mosque
The Hagia Sophia- in Istanbul, Turkey.
This church is so lovely that a Sultan built a building right next to it to try to upstage its beauty- the Blue Mosque! It’s hard to say which is better, but both are worth a visit in Istanbul.
Sunset in Istanbul.
This mosque was just one of many in Istanbul. I loved them because at each prayer time (five times a day) they each sing the “call to worship,” a prayer put to song and broadcast over their loud speakers. From anywhere in Istanbul I could hear the echoes of two or three mosques. It was a beautiful sound, like nothing I have ever heard before!
Turkish Breakfast
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then Turkey has it down. A Turkish breakfast includes tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, many types of cheese, olives, baked eggs with various meats and cheeses, a delicious spread made of heavy cream and honey, and a never ending supply of tea and fresh bread.
I am not sure if it’s a good way to “get going” in the morning, though. I definitely had trouble walking after the meal!
This blog is about to switch countries and continents! If only for a few days, I will be posting my photos of my trip to Istanbul, Turkey. It was beautiful and very different than Greece. Enjoy!
Video Update!
I made a video of my second month in Greece. In it are travels from Istanbul, Milos, Santorini, Loutraki, Nafplio, and adventures in Athens- a clip of each day in under 5 seconds! I had a lot of fun making this, I hope you enjoy!
Justine’s Simple Rules For Bargaining
(Stolen from Justine Merrill’s article on shopping in Istanbul, I loved this!)
- Stay calm, don’t panic, there is plenty of stuff to buy.
- Pick out half of the amount you wish to buy, lay it on the counter.
- Discuss the price, smile nicely and shake your head sadly at the offered vendor price. And wait. Silently.
- Leave objects on counter, go chat with your friends or family, stay calm.
- Nod and agree to the third or fourth price offered.
- Put more of the desired object on the table; ask for a greater discount, nicely. Have your mother shake her head and talk about “No more baggage space”.
- Consider the final price, and the object carefully, there is no rush, drink tea and think.
- THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE IS, THE MINUTE YOU AGREE TO A PRICE, YOU MUST PAY IT.
- Pay, and start worrying about the room in your baggage.
- After you get home, wish you had bought more.
Istanbul Backstreet (by briandillon1946)
Booked my plane ticket from Greece to Turkey for Spring Break!
Source: flickr.com
Rebecca Rice, abroad.
