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Published: October 31st 2007
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Yes. Today we got all our nice clean washing back from the laundrette. Nice clean soft clothes are amongst one of the best luxaries you can get whilst backpacking. We would both have been very happy except that somehow they managed to lose two of Rob's socks and one of mine. That puts my total amount of pairs of socks at six and Rob's at seven, that is not enough for people who don't want to smell.
Topkapi palace was top on our agenda today despite knowing very little about it. We had read somewhere that it was in the top three sights of Istanbul so we decided we probably should see it. Entrance was another massive rip off at 10ytl each and no discounts for students unless you are Turkish. It really irritates me that countries are allowed to do that, even in countries inside the E.U (Estonia, Latvia,Poland,) they only do discounts if you are from that country. It strikes me that England is WAY too lenient with foreign visitors and should treat them as we are being treated.
Anyhow the price didn't include visiting the hamam and so we returned the favour and didn't bother seeing
it. Once inside we soon realised that the price was fair due to the size of the place and the comparison with the price of the Hagia Sophia. The palace is split up into four courts; one for all people, the second for people on imperial buisness, the third only for imperial family and the fourth was the family quarters. We went to the left once we entered towards the imperial mint, unbeknown to us there was a temporary exhibition on showing off Saudi Arabian culture. Wandering in we did our usual sigh "what's this got to do with... (the palace)" when historical buildings are filled with anything to bulk them out; Bran Castle, Haggia Sophia etc. Nevertheless we looked round; firstly there was a security guard who offered us a date from a big vat of dates and urged us to take a little packet of dates also, which we did dutifully. So whilst eating we thought we better have a look at the display but showed too much interest at a picture of a market and immediately we were stuck! The Saudi guy from the university saw that we were english and treated us like diplomats guiding us
through the exhibit and telling us more information on dates than most people would ever care to know. After we had been round the exhibit he asked us to sign the guestbook and took a picture of us doing so and then another of us with a picture of a Saudi guy. With the pictures being taken he filled up a 'goody bag' full of more dates and a thick information booklet on dates in detail that only a university research paper would be, including topics ranging from pesticides and known paracites to how to irrigate and how date palms can be used in landscaping. Yes, I did read all of it and thoroughly enjoyed it especially how it was muslim science so had passages from the Qu'ran.
After we moved to the next exhibition with a similar feel; inside we spent too long looking at a picture in Medina where a massive mosque was and again we were cornered; guided round the exhibit; had photos taken for a Saudi newspaper and then given goodies in the shape of baseball caps! Cautiously we crept into the next room to see a large projector and seats, on the sight of
which we made a hasty retreat for the door.
From the exhibition we went to see some of the palace but without having a map or guide it was a very higgledypiggledy affair. So, without meaning too we went round keeping to the left until we believed we had done everything and were back at the start. To list all that we saw in order would demand a huge amount of time and dedication and so i'll just tell you what I can think of in the order I remember...
We funnelled into a room with loads of tourists to see some of the sultans cloths; mainly rugs. Afterwards we headed to the Imperial council chamber where matters were discussed while the Sultan eavesdropped from behind a grill. Once we looked at a few more rooms like the kitchen a the armoury; full of weaponry dating from 10th century varying from swords to tower rifles including some exquisit ceremonial swords with coral and precious stones used by the sultans, we moved to the next court. This had treasury rooms for the storage of the empires money in gold but was now only an empty room.
After even
more rooms of this and that we moved through a magnificent gate to the next section where the second treasury was the highlight. Three rooms were lined with precious items which were either gifts for the sultans or spoils of war, some of the more notable included giant diamond encrusted candelabras, the Tokapi dagger (made famous by a film) and a diamond found in a rubish dump which is the 5th largest in the world! Also in this court there was a mosque and restaurant.
In the final court was the tulip garden and although I know nothing of plants I assume it isn't the season as there weren't any tulips. In this court there was also a circumcision chamber, a turban storage area and a small gold roofed pavilion at which the sultan breaks his fast after ramadam. That concluded our tour and so we left very enriched and supplied with dates!
For a few days now we have been eyeing up a café that sells particularly yummy looking jacket potatoes. First they cut two of the biggest potatoes you have ever seen in half, add butter and cheese and mash together. When it has been smoothed
off they invite you to choose a number of fillings from a diverse choice. Some we had were cous cous, olives, salad, yoghurt and meats etc. I only managed just over half of mine whilst Rob ate all but the skin.
We are leaving Istanbul tomorrow for Bursa and we would like very much to go by ferry, so we decided to walk the considerable distance to the ferry port. On the way we were distracted by many things, one of which was the Blue Mosque. We had a walk around the grounds of the mosque and stopped occasionally for a few photo opportunities. Next to the Blue Mosque are three pillars. The first is an Egyptian obelisk of Theodosius which is the oldest monument in Istanbul (1549 bc). The Spiral Column was part of the Golden Basin (1478 bc). The Rough Stone Obelisk which is from the fourth century has very little known about it.
In the park where the columns stood there was a guy with a little table set up. He had one small rabbit and one tiny rabbit and they would read your fortune by picking a card out of a box. Rob was
rather taken by the tiny little rabbit and it has now been added onto the list of pets we want in the future.
We weren't entirely sure how to get to the ferry port only which way to go. We kept on seeing more and more interesting streets to wander down and ended up in the middle of what we assume to be a Turkish slum. It was really interesting to walk around the streets and there was plenty to look at because preparations are underway for the day of the Republic.
We reached the ferry port just as it was getting dark. They only had tickets available for the seven thirty crossing tomorrow. Eager to begin our travels around Turkey we bought the tickets and began to head back to the hostel via some markets and more interesting streets.
At the hostel we tried in vain to figure out accommodation for Bursa. Two of the men who work at the hostel asked us why on earth we were going to Bursa. They told us no one speaks English, it isn't touristic and there are no youth hostels. Great.
We had bought a bottle of wine
earlier which we enjoyed laying in bed. I finished off my novel and Rob spent way too long reading through the date factfile. Every so often he would interupt me with fascinating facts and information such as how to cure world hunger by using dates to replace 10% of livestocks feed. We are both ready for bed and will appreciate even the six hours we have till we have to get up tomorrow. Night night all. Stob
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Nina
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Haha Rob you dirty date geek!