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Five days in Istanbul

August 13, 2018 by jread Leave a Comment

Turkish Airlines flight from Beirut, landing at Ataturk – and I’m not sure what to expect.

This was one of the scariest airports I’ve been in. Thank gawd I happened to have exactly 20 euros in my wallet, because this is exactly what the visa cost, even though they don’t do euros in Turkey. I had to purchase the visa from a vending machine, which was a first.

And so I arrive at the Bahaus, perhaps one of the best hostels I’ve had the opportunity to stay in. Can’t beat this view from the rooftop bar.

View of the Bosphorus from the Bahaus

I’m exhausted but it’s too early to check in, so I go exploring instead.

Ayasofya back-side – the first grand piece of architecture I stumble upon
Coffee with a view – of a testi kebab mural
Rice-stuffed mussels in Üsküdar “the Asian side”
balık in Üsküdar

I even found a yoga studio, bought a few classes, and did yoga in Turkish. I love this place and I’m loving the language. I’m starting to think Turkey and I were made for each other.

When wandering alone I would stop for a Turkish tea or coffee, or a carrot juice (or all three) and flip through the free guide book I acquired in the tourism office.

Turkish coffee & planning the day

I learned from the guidebook that I would be interested in checking out the fish markets and seafood restaurants of Kumkapi, where supposedly there was live entertainment on a nightly basis. The hostel manager recommended that I not go alone. Then Taj walked by, who I’d met earlier that day, and I asked if he would be interested, and I would meet him on the rooftop in a half hour after my shower. Well, during my shower, he had practically rounded up the whole hostel to tag along. One particularly loud Aussie asked if we were travel bloggers…

Strolling through Kumkapi
Group dinner in Kumkapi

I sat by the loud crazy Aussie and had a blast. We decided to check out the Princes Islands the next day. Someone happened to have a picture of the ferry schedule on their phone and the “picture of a picture of a picture” became a hilarious theme throughout the trip.

A picture of a picture of a picture of the ferry schedule
Ferrying to Büyükada

…and then I fell in love.

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