On our third day in Istanbul after visiting the Grand Bazaar we made our way slowly down to the Galata Bridge. Past the university. Through little street markets selling everyday goods to the locals.
The awnings were pretty and the Turkish flag on display everywhere.
The young man in the blue shirt said nice to meet you in a friendly way as he want past. There were lots of wooden things, like the paddles that are for bread-making I assume.
We then found ourselves at the Spice Market. Familiar spices, less familiar teas. I would have liked to buy the pomegranate one. But there was not much in the way of tea making equipment. Double header teapots are preferred – big pots that can hold lots of tea to sit and stew. Having savoured those sights and smells we walked along the Galata. Overpowering smell of fish. Amazing to think they catch any from this busy waterway but they do – evidence is in the clear plastic flagons!
Across the other side we caught the funicular to Tunel. Istanbul has the second oldest underground system in the world after London. It was a steep incline and getting out you were still on an incline. We walked back along Istiklal Caddesi where I took photos of some of the buildings and shops. We then had lunch in a lovely little arcade. Mezzes and Efos beer. A nice rest. I really like the cute little tourist tram that runs backwards and forwards along the street here. Only holds about twelve people. Tootled backwards and forwards without two much clanging of bells, expects people to get out of its way and they do.
Then we went in search of Orhan Pamuk’s Museum of Lost Innocence which we found after a long and winding downhill walk. Including past the Ecuador Consulate – perhaps Julian would prefer it here, although it is a very small building. Orhan’s museum was an impressive building, it’s the red one, pity it was closed! We should have known, given it was Monday and most museums are closed on this day here. Still, the walk was nice, albeit hot in the broiling sun. We had walked almost to the tram route that takes us back to the Hotel Niles, so we continued down there and caught the tram. School here went back today so we saw students on their way home for the first time. Finally back to our hotel. Exhausted, sunburnt, happy.
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