I spent a very pleasant, lazy morning chatting online with Reda and then around 2pm decided I needed to get out of the flat, even if I didn’t go very far, so I headed to my favorite haunt by the Kadikoy port (a.k.a. Starbuck’s). My initial plan was to get online and do some real-time blogging but alas, my wireless connection had other plans. Frustrated but undaunted I decided instead to head across the Bosphorus and walk up to Sultanahmet Square to watch the sunset behind the Blue Mosque. (This has become one of my all time favorite things to do here in Istanbul.) This put me in a much better mood and soon my struggle and defeat at the hands (?) of my wireless router were forgotten.
My favorite table here at Starbucks-Kadikoy.
Self-portrait of a frustrated but happily caffeinated blogger.
A change of plans...
I opted for the long route and took the ferry to Karakoy instead of Eminonu. This allowed me the chance to walk across the Galata Bridge and enjoy the sight of all the fisherman casting off the side of the bridge. It is always an amazing sight.
The fabulous Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn. Underneath the bridge on both sides are great restaurants.
I reached the square and settled into a bench by the Blue Mosque to watch the nightly display; it was not disappointing. After dusk settled I wandered around the square a bit until a found a café I fancied and then settled in to have some supper. I opted for the vegetable kabobs, shepherd’s salad (my personal favorite salad here in Istanbul), a bottle of water, and the much-coveted glass of hot apple tea. Although I had wanted to try another soup variety, there were none on the menu. Next time!
The courtyard in front of the Blue Mosque.
An unexpected visitor...
During dinner I met a very nice young woman from the Philippines named Maria who sat at the table next to mine. She works at the spa on the Celebrity Solstice: an absolutely huge ship! She was planning on going to the Grande Bazaar and asked if I had been there. I told her a little bit about my experiences but said it wasn’t something to be missed. We then chatted about Kadikoy and I gave her a few suggestions on places to go if she ever gets over to the Asian side. She was very nice and a lot of fun to talk with, so if any of you are ever on the Solstice, look her up and say hello!
The view from my table in Sultanahmet Square. Aya Sofya is in the background.
My table that night.
No comments:
Post a Comment