Day 139 - Walking tour, Cistern and Istlikal Street
Monday, 19, 2018.
Today we got up early to make it to the Basilica Cistern and the Free Walking tour. Well, we didn’t make it to the cistern because we left the house a little bit late and then, it took almost an hour to get there. Gregory forgets that when you take public transportation, it takes at least half an hour longer. [Gregory's note: And then she hands it to me to edit??] It didn’t matter because we are on vacation and no need to rush. We can always do it after the tour, I thought. We arrived at the tour rendezvous with 10 minutes to spare. It started at the fountain between the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sofia. We started the tour around 10:45 and many more people joined despite the bad weather. I looked like a pineapple because I brought a yellow plastic poncho that I wore on top of my winter jacket. My family was embarrassed to stand by me but I was warm and dry! [Gregory's note: it looks like a big, yellow condom.]
We like to take these free walking tours, first because they are free, ha ha ha. Second, because it shows you the main attractions that you should see and you can decide which ones are worthwhile seeing. And third, to get a crash course in local history and culture.
The proud, patriotic guide was well informed and explained historical facts about the buildings and its architecture. She also gave us a good tip: there is another Byzantine cistern that can be visited for free, instead of the famous one, which was mostly closed off and completely drained for restoration (despite the full-priced tickets).
The walking tour lasted three hours. In the end, we were tired and hungry. We didn’t stay in the tourist area for lunch. We took a taxi home, well more like to Taksim and on our way home we found a small kebab shop where we had delicious doner wrps for 7TL lira, which is like $1.50! These little stands remind me of the taquito stands in Mexico.
Gregory pointed out that I keep saying that Turkey is a lot like Mexico. I feel like we are staying in downtown Mexico City. The chaos, the crazy taxi drivers, all the mini-stores selling all sort of stuff and the streets full of people going up and down! One interesting thing that we keep seeing is all these wig stores in the neighborhood. I counted 6 on the same block! I’m dying to ask somebody, why are wigs store so popular (althought they always seem empty) if the girls cover their hair?
After that late lunch, we walked home and rested for a while. Around 6:00pm, Gregory, Sunshine and I went to walk to the famous street called Itslikal which is just off Taksim Square, about a ten-minute walk from our apartment. Sunshine and I were very surprised at how modern and clean the street was. It was packed with people walking despite the rain. Luckily, our host had brought us umbrellas and we were ok.
When the rain got harder, we found shelter in a beautiful cafe called Saray Mahabellesi. It felt like a fancy European restaurant. The place had 5 floors, we settled for the second floor and ordered flavored cappuccinos. Gregory ordered a Turkish dessert that was to die for. It was a rice pudding with rose water and powdered sugar. It was exquisite. Too bad Daniel didn’t want to come. Sunshine was very talkative and I’m just loving and treasuring these moments because I know for a fact that if we were at home, she would be out with her friends.
After the rain passed, we left the cafe and walked some more, we went into some stores. At a jewelry store, Sunshine asked the owner if the rings were for the nose. Before she knew it, the vendor had the ring on her nose, without even asking if she wanted it. It was inexpensive and she really wanted it but what if I hadn’t bought it? Was he going to put it back on the shelf?
Anyway, the owners are very charming and they really know how to sell you stuff. Of course, they didn’t know that they were dealing with Gregorio who wanted a necklace but would not pay the named price. The owner lost and Gregory didn’t get his charm that time.
We also stopped at the movie theater to see if there is something fun that we could all watch, but there was nothing for the family.
We had a great time walking on Istlikal Street, yes very western and modern but full of all sorts of people to watch! We walked back home for a late dinner with Daniel.
Today we got up early to make it to the Basilica Cistern and the Free Walking tour. Well, we didn’t make it to the cistern because we left the house a little bit late and then, it took almost an hour to get there. Gregory forgets that when you take public transportation, it takes at least half an hour longer. [Gregory's note: And then she hands it to me to edit??] It didn’t matter because we are on vacation and no need to rush. We can always do it after the tour, I thought. We arrived at the tour rendezvous with 10 minutes to spare. It started at the fountain between the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sofia. We started the tour around 10:45 and many more people joined despite the bad weather. I looked like a pineapple because I brought a yellow plastic poncho that I wore on top of my winter jacket. My family was embarrassed to stand by me but I was warm and dry! [Gregory's note: it looks like a big, yellow condom.]
We like to take these free walking tours, first because they are free, ha ha ha. Second, because it shows you the main attractions that you should see and you can decide which ones are worthwhile seeing. And third, to get a crash course in local history and culture.
The proud, patriotic guide was well informed and explained historical facts about the buildings and its architecture. She also gave us a good tip: there is another Byzantine cistern that can be visited for free, instead of the famous one, which was mostly closed off and completely drained for restoration (despite the full-priced tickets).
The walking tour lasted three hours. In the end, we were tired and hungry. We didn’t stay in the tourist area for lunch. We took a taxi home, well more like to Taksim and on our way home we found a small kebab shop where we had delicious doner wrps for 7TL lira, which is like $1.50! These little stands remind me of the taquito stands in Mexico.
Gregory pointed out that I keep saying that Turkey is a lot like Mexico. I feel like we are staying in downtown Mexico City. The chaos, the crazy taxi drivers, all the mini-stores selling all sort of stuff and the streets full of people going up and down! One interesting thing that we keep seeing is all these wig stores in the neighborhood. I counted 6 on the same block! I’m dying to ask somebody, why are wigs store so popular (althought they always seem empty) if the girls cover their hair?
After that late lunch, we walked home and rested for a while. Around 6:00pm, Gregory, Sunshine and I went to walk to the famous street called Itslikal which is just off Taksim Square, about a ten-minute walk from our apartment. Sunshine and I were very surprised at how modern and clean the street was. It was packed with people walking despite the rain. Luckily, our host had brought us umbrellas and we were ok.
When the rain got harder, we found shelter in a beautiful cafe called Saray Mahabellesi. It felt like a fancy European restaurant. The place had 5 floors, we settled for the second floor and ordered flavored cappuccinos. Gregory ordered a Turkish dessert that was to die for. It was a rice pudding with rose water and powdered sugar. It was exquisite. Too bad Daniel didn’t want to come. Sunshine was very talkative and I’m just loving and treasuring these moments because I know for a fact that if we were at home, she would be out with her friends.
After the rain passed, we left the cafe and walked some more, we went into some stores. At a jewelry store, Sunshine asked the owner if the rings were for the nose. Before she knew it, the vendor had the ring on her nose, without even asking if she wanted it. It was inexpensive and she really wanted it but what if I hadn’t bought it? Was he going to put it back on the shelf?
Anyway, the owners are very charming and they really know how to sell you stuff. Of course, they didn’t know that they were dealing with Gregorio who wanted a necklace but would not pay the named price. The owner lost and Gregory didn’t get his charm that time.
We also stopped at the movie theater to see if there is something fun that we could all watch, but there was nothing for the family.
We had a great time walking on Istlikal Street, yes very western and modern but full of all sorts of people to watch! We walked back home for a late dinner with Daniel.
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| Our Turkish tour guide telling us about the hamam |
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| I'm taking pictures of cats of around the world to make a poster for Daniel who is in love with cats. Did I mention that he made me sign an agreement that I will allow a cat when we get back home? |
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| Almost done with the tour but Danny boy is done! |
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| Obelisk of Theodosius, a souvenir from Egypt. |
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| The obelisk broke when it arrived in Constantinople so they had to make little stands for it! The plinth shows the story of how it was "successfully" delivered -- 1500 year old fake news! |
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| The base has the images describing how they brought the column from Egypt |
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| Our guide talking about this Greek serpentine column whose 3 heads were stolen but can be seen in different museums. 1 is here, 1 is in London. The third head probably in a collector's home. Gregory suspects the Russians. Behind you can see the Constantine Column. |
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| Sunshine and Daniel are likingthe kitties more than the tour! |
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| The cistern with free access under Nakkas. |
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| Roman columns |
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| The cistern is found underneath Nakkas |
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| The Roman hippodrome |
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| We keep seeing wig stores on almost every block of the main street. |
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| Everyone walking on Istiklal Street. It is the popular thing to do in Istanbul |
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| Cute European style. The waiters called me Madame! |
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| Sunshine trying a Turkish dessert, delicious! |
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| Galatasaray University gates behind |
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| We still have to take the Nostalgic Tram along Istlikal |
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| I complimented this man for his beautiful fruit and vegetable stand. It seems that they take pride in how they present their merchandise! |
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