After enjoying a nice breakfast we were able to check into our hostel. We had a quick nap and decided to take a walk over to the Blue Mosk. We made it into the courtyard of this incredible building but then realized that pants where needed to enter so we had to come back another day. From there we walked through a small bizzar that sold carpets, scarfs and the like. Typical things tourists would expect to find in an Turkish bazaar. We ended up going to a nice cafe where we enjoyed some apple tea while smoking the Narghilèč. That evening we enjoyed the roof terrace on top of the hostel and socialized with the Turkish people that ran the hostel.
The next day we decided we should learn a bit about the extensive history that Istanbul has so we walked over to the area where there are a bunch of museums. Of course it was Monday so they where all closed. So instead we walked over to the Grand Bazaar. Quite the place. When walking around Istanbul you are constantly solicited by guys to come into their establishment whether it be a store or restaurant. So we were used to saying no thanks. In the grand bizzar it is even crazier. The sheer size of the place and amount of stuff they sell is overwhelming. Every 5-10 feet you are asked to buy something. The best two things we heard were "I am socks!" and "How can I take your money?" Most items sold where things only tourists would buy. As well there was enough knock off merchandise to rival a Chinese market. Of course after some hard bartering Scott bought a polo button up for what worked out to 10 euro and Joel picked up a red t-shirt with the Turkish symbol on it. That evening we hung out with our American roommates that had just finished serving in the peace corps in the Ukraine.
The next day we put on our pants and went to check out some of the mosks. They were cool but not a whole lot different than the cathedrals we had seen elsewhere in Europe. We actually thought they where more impressive from the outside, especially at sunset during the call to prayer. From there we decided to take advantage of cheap Turkish labour and got our shoes shined. Scott was quite impressed at how good his boaters turned out and we were even told it had a 3 year guarantee. As well it was time for some haircuts. Although we are living on a budget the price was right so we also got a shave while we were in the chair. That evening the champions league final was going on in Rome. So like every other European (and probably most of the world) we watched the game with some friends at the hostel bar.
By the last full day in Istanbul it was time to check out some museums. One was an archaeological museum and the other was on the history of Istanbul. They were alright, we felt it had to be done. Later that day we walked over the main bridge to what we thought was Asia. It was a pretty cool bridge with lots of old men fishing off the side and tons of fish restaurants underneath. So we had a later dinner basically where we though the border between Europe and Asia was. Of course we had to try some fresh fish. (Three days later after talking to a traveler we met in Sofia that had also come from Istanbul we found out the bridge did not actually link Europe and Asia and we never set foot on Asia. Oh well.)
On the final day we checked out of our hostel and had some time to swing by the grand bizzar again. There were a few items that caught our eye the previous day so we decided we may as well take advantage of the deals. Later that day we picked up our bags and boarded the overnight train to Sofia, Bulgaria.
The next day we decided we should learn a bit about the extensive history that Istanbul has so we walked over to the area where there are a bunch of museums. Of course it was Monday so they where all closed. So instead we walked over to the Grand Bazaar. Quite the place. When walking around Istanbul you are constantly solicited by guys to come into their establishment whether it be a store or restaurant. So we were used to saying no thanks. In the grand bizzar it is even crazier. The sheer size of the place and amount of stuff they sell is overwhelming. Every 5-10 feet you are asked to buy something. The best two things we heard were "I am socks!" and "How can I take your money?" Most items sold where things only tourists would buy. As well there was enough knock off merchandise to rival a Chinese market. Of course after some hard bartering Scott bought a polo button up for what worked out to 10 euro and Joel picked up a red t-shirt with the Turkish symbol on it. That evening we hung out with our American roommates that had just finished serving in the peace corps in the Ukraine.
The next day we put on our pants and went to check out some of the mosks. They were cool but not a whole lot different than the cathedrals we had seen elsewhere in Europe. We actually thought they where more impressive from the outside, especially at sunset during the call to prayer. From there we decided to take advantage of cheap Turkish labour and got our shoes shined. Scott was quite impressed at how good his boaters turned out and we were even told it had a 3 year guarantee. As well it was time for some haircuts. Although we are living on a budget the price was right so we also got a shave while we were in the chair. That evening the champions league final was going on in Rome. So like every other European (and probably most of the world) we watched the game with some friends at the hostel bar.
By the last full day in Istanbul it was time to check out some museums. One was an archaeological museum and the other was on the history of Istanbul. They were alright, we felt it had to be done. Later that day we walked over the main bridge to what we thought was Asia. It was a pretty cool bridge with lots of old men fishing off the side and tons of fish restaurants underneath. So we had a later dinner basically where we though the border between Europe and Asia was. Of course we had to try some fresh fish. (Three days later after talking to a traveler we met in Sofia that had also come from Istanbul we found out the bridge did not actually link Europe and Asia and we never set foot on Asia. Oh well.)
On the final day we checked out of our hostel and had some time to swing by the grand bizzar again. There were a few items that caught our eye the previous day so we decided we may as well take advantage of the deals. Later that day we picked up our bags and boarded the overnight train to Sofia, Bulgaria.
