Dutch tiles in the Haram

Arriving in Istanbul

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March 1st 2006
I arrived in Istanbul early in the afternoon of the 27th and caught the really modern train and tram system into the city. It was really easy to use and very cheap (2.2 YTL). I had a ripoff dinner with some people from the hostel including a 'local', Orky, who took us to the restuarant. She was a crazy American-Turk and it was impossible to get a word in edgeways. Oh well, you win some you lose so ... read more

Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul

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Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk, or "Father of the Turks." Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopt... ... read more