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Published: September 30th 2008
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Well it's a bit of a delay but I thought I better update from the last few days of our trip, even though we have been home for nearly a week already...
So where did we leave off last, ahh yes Istanbul! Well wasn't that an interesting place to visit. Not quiet what we were expecting, mind you it was very last minute and we didn’t really do our research on the place so our own fault really. Not to say it wasn't an eye opener, just that we were expecting with the nice hot weather they have and us being located near the coast that it would be much like Greece, lots of sun bathing and beach time. But we soon realised that was not going to be the case. Where to start, well first of all we didn’t know that they have there own currency there the Lira, so down fall 1 was getting our money in Euro before realising we couldn’t use it... down fall 2 they don’t really appreciate the showing of skin especially from the women (hence no beach time) This didn’t help our cause when walking round with our back packs in singlet’s and shorts
being that it was 34 degree day we couldn’t understand why we were getting some disgusted looks from the ladies, and well some not so disgusted looks from the men. Had to laugh when we found out that the country is mostly populated with Muslims and they don’t really condone the showing of flesh. Not that we weren’t allowed to wear what ever we wanted but for the sake of keeping the peace we got changed. Istanbul is a very beautiful place though there was allot to see and do down fall 3 for us was that we were running dangerously low on funds so couldn’t really do too much unless it was free or dirt cheap? Allot that we missed out on such as going down to Gallipoli to the ANZAC cove, also there were trips out to see Troy, Turkish Baths and heaps of other cool things but unfortunately cost money, which we didn’t have... so our days mainly consisted of sleeping in and taking advantage of the sun from the top of our Hostel where we couldn’t get in trouble. The Muslims were also going through Ramadan while we were there which meant that they can no
eat or drink while the sun is up. So as soon as the sun went down in the afternoon about 7pm the centre of town in Sultanahmet packed out with families and children sitting down to a big feast of food. Can’t say I blame them, going all day especially without water when the temperature is that hot! I'd be outside partying too! There is a big street festival for most of the month with food stalls and Turkish dancing and bands each night which gave us something else cheap to do in the evenings.
We did get to take in some of the sites and museums that were on the cheaper side. The Basilica Cister being one of them, this was great to see. We had been given the heads up from some of the other back packers also on a budget to go check it out. It was amazing, it is an under ground cistern where they used to store water many years ago, they have two Medusa heads which provide the base for 2 of the columns one face is on its side and one is upside down. Quiet eary when you walk around and see them
as they don’t know the reason why they were placed that way and why they are there. We also went through the Blue Mosque where the Muslims go to pray, here you had to take your shoes off and if you didn’t have the correct attire on you could either be turned away or they will give you a spare Burka to cover yourself up with. Another interesting fact, they have randomly placed taps and wash basins around the mosque for the men to wash there feet, hands, face and arms before they go in to pray. Another Mosque that sits in front of the Blue Mosque is the Hagia Sophia which is allot older it has a museum also but is about 25 Lira to get into, and we were told its not really worth the money so we just looked from the outside. We took a wander down to the beach; well coast is a better way of describing it. Bosporus Straight which is mainly just allot of big rocks on the side of the coast where the men fish and sun bake all day. Didn’t appreciate that they were allowed to and we couldn’t! We took a
look down to where to fishing area was and where the sold the famous fish sandwiches that we had herd so much about. Not bad either, they have lots of little stalls and carts everywhere in Turkey most selling the same things, either roasted hazelnuts, Turkish pretzels, fish sandwiches, corn on the cob, kebabs or fairy floss. Why people don’t think of selling something a little more out of the norm is beyond me but hey what ever works I guess? We tried the fish sandwich which I really liked, just your basic fish, tomato and lettuce but quiet tasty. We have the corn a go too, that was grose and very dry!
We also sussed out a few of the markets in the main square as well. First of all the Spice Bazaar Markey which mainly sold, yep you guessed it... Spices oh oh and Turkish Delight which I now have a scary addiction to! Then we went to Grande Bazaar which had everything from carpets, to shesshas, to jewelry to Turkish tea sets. Also allot of fake gear, just like being in Bali. It's all about the bartering! Never take first offer!
We didn’t really have any big
nights in Turkey as we were saving what little money we did have left for Oktoberfest. But all in all a very beautiful place. Would I go back? Maybe if I had some money to see the sites like Gallipoli etc and make the trip down to Marmara which is more of the beachy side of Turkey. Where you can sun bake and wear summer clothing!
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