The Snowlady Chronicles: Last Full Day in Istanbul

Friday May 3, 2013

Istanbul, Turkey

Another Perfect Day

We slept in again as we needed the energy to walk to the Spice Market for some shopping. I wanted to get a tray with bowls – the same bowls used for the Turkish bath. Sandra was looking to get more spices. So we followed the tram line and while window shopping ran into some noisy cars that we guess were in Istanbul for a rally. We found our way to the spice market which I wish every country had one.

This time we knew the spice market would be more expensive than the surrounding outside vendors so we focused our attention out there. I found a perfect tray with bowls and were able to bargain it down from 180 TL to 100 TL! Everywhere we went though, there was so much temptation. I could go crazy here but controlled myself.

After the spice market, we decided to go on an adventure and have a late lunch at the Asian side of Istanbul. So we took the ferry to the Asian side and fortunately as we found a helpful tourist information desk, was able to find the restaurant that was highly recommended – Giya. We had a FANTASTIC lunch there. And even just wondering around was fun. Not many tourists venture there so the whole atmosphere was very “local”. We also stopped for some Turkish coffee ( I had apple tea) where the waiter told us he is saving money to go to Berkeley because that is where his English teacher is from. AND we got to meet Pat, his English teacher, a lovely lady from Berkeley who decided to move to Turkey to teach. Her passion is painting and from what we saw she is very talented.

After a lovely conversation, it was time for us to go. We decided to go to the new part of Istanbul (Europe) and explore Taksim (where the riots took place) and Istikal Street. We actually had a destination – Leb I Derya, a rooftop restaurant/bar for drinks. We found our way to Taksim square after a 20minute uphill walk where I was huffing and puffing. (we actually stopped at the Intercontinental for accurate directions). So it was easy to Istikal street and was it hopping with the young and beautiful. But what caught my attention most were the young Turkish holding a demonstration. I’m not sure for what but I am a firm believer in democracy so it was nice to see young Turkish expressing their feelings.

After about a 30 minute walk down Istikal, we found the hotel Richmond where the Leb I Derya bar in on the 6^th floor. And wow, what views. It was definitely a place for the rich, young and beautiful but we enjoyed 2 (yes TWO) bottles of wine while yapping away like teenage girls.

We then headed back to our hotel by walking down the hill to the tram station. Thing were pretty uneventful until it got crowded where I could not hold on to a pole or handle. And of course, the tram stops suddenly, where the girl next to me pirouettes and bumps into me which sends me crashing to the floor Fortunately for me, two strong Turkish men, grab me before I land hard on the floor and help me up. And two other Turkish men get out of their seats and tell me to sit down. I could not see what was happening to Mary and Sandra, but it seems Sandra was far from the epicenter as she bought the Turkish eye medallion to protect her but Mary got face planted by a Muslim man who was mortified and embarrassed by the close encounter.

Anyhoo, we made it to the station we thought we were supposed to get off at, which turned out to be past the Crowne Plaza and in the “danger/red light district” zone. But there were so many people that we felt safe. We stopped at the local gyro store and bought ourselves gyro and French fries for dinner (with the bottle of wine we bought).

After enjoying our dinner in PJs we called it a nite. It was my last nite in Istanbul and was so much fun. I’m really going to miss the girl talk and travelling with Sandra and Mary. I’m so happy that Sandra and Mary met as they both love travelling and learnig about new cultures.

Rally cars from all over Europe