We have finally arrived in Turkey!! Actually, that is so 3 days ago. Well we have been exploring Istanbul for those 3 days. On the first day, our plane from Tel Aviv got here at about 8:30. We took a mini bus taxi to our hostel which were practically on opposite sides of the city! The taxi took about 45 minutes. This city is as big as Bangkok!
So after we got settled in and ate breakfast, we decided to explore a little around the city sights. Luckily, all the major tourist sights are within 8 blocks of our hostel. First, we tried to get into the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque. But that was closed for muslim prayer times. Then we wanted to go to the Aya Sophya museum. But that had a SUPER loooooooooong line. Then we went to the Grand Bazaar to explore and got touted until we couldn't stand it any more. Then we went to a rock pillar and I got my head pooped on by a pigeon (not funny!).
We ended up seeing all the sights. Eventually.
Well the Blue Mosque was closed the next time we tried to get in so we had to squeeze it in yesterday. Oh by the way, if you are in Istanbul , the Blue Mosque isn't very blue, despite popular belief. Even the inside is primarily tan.
Yesterday, we also went to the Basilica Cistern. It is so cool! This underground cavern is filled with Roman columns, Medusa heads, fish, and, of course, water. We also took public transport to explore another part of the city yesterday (ya, we did a lot that day). First we took the tram to the funicular. Funicular to Taksim square. Lunch and sweatshirt shopping in Taksim square. Subway to the Metrobus. Metrobus across the Bosporus Straight. And reverse all that.
Today we leave for Safronbolou.
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