The Sultanehmet

Finally made it...

Jeff - remind me to send you an email about some of the tips and tricks of navigating our airline flight schedule. Everything came off fine, but that was a very very very long layover in a rather busy and practically minded airport.

But it was all worthwhile when I met my taxi guy (the one with the DAVID KITE sign) and made it to the Hotel Dersaadet. I found C up on the roof, enoying the breezes off the Marmaris with the night-time illuminated Blue Mosque rising up beyond the terrace.

Exactly two beers (a very nice Efes pilsner), a shower and then a nice sleep in an air conditioned room took all the travel off me.

The city is wonderful. Went back up to the terrace for a great breakfast as the ocean traffic rounded into the Golden Horn. M, C and I took a leisurely stroll around the Sultanehmet this morning. The carpet stores are everywhere - C is already negotiating prices for pillow covers.

Actually C has developed some kind of Mediterranean atavism for bargaining. I'll leave it to him to relay his stories, but I think he is a natural at this.

This part of the city is very manageable - very walkable - nice hills (gentle and not so gentle), cobblestones - lots of souvenir places and most with some really nice items (carpets, meerschaum pipes, pottery - and some really tempting felted hats).

The weather is nice- a bit humid but the temperatures are not all that high. After another rooftop lunch at a restaurant down the street from the hotel we came back to rest up a bit. Thoughts of getting over to look at the Grand Bazaar this afternoon. C and I head off on our train to Ankara tonight.

So - it's really impressive way to start the trip. I am just beginning to explore the food, but so far it seems wonderful. Lots of fresh vegatables, great grilled lamb.

Most remarkable moment: After I just got in and was sitting up on the terrace here drinking beer, everyone was involved in a Turkish/Czech soccer game on television. We are keeping an eye on the game from our chairs outside. The Turks tie it up - and then the entire city pops - you can hear these cheers up and down the neighborhoods. A few minutes later when the Turks got the go-ahead (and winning) goal in the last two minutes, even the dogs start barking and you can see flares going up on the Galata side of the city.

So - very nice, very relaxing and LOTS to see (and buy?).

pictures: below, view of Blue Mosque from our breakfast table
above, carpets, carpets, everywhere...