Busy day in Turkey

March 9, 2012, 9:15pm, Poem Hotel, Istanbul

Had a great day today walking around the city. Started with some fresh bread at a local bakery on the way to a small kabob house for lunch., had lamb and rice that was amazing. One of the travel buddies was having some stomach pain so we hit the pharmacy and went back home for an hour or so to relax. She started feeling better and we headed out to the Tomb of Sultan Ahmed next to the Blue Mosque. Some really interesting artifacts and a lot of tombs, a really solemn vibe. From there went to the Blue Mosque, a massive building dating back centuries with a ton of history.

We then headed over to the Hagia Sophia and Topkopi Museum which houses, among many other things, relics from Muhammad and Moses. The coolest display was probably Moses’ walking stick which was really well preserved. There was also a footprint from Muhammad as well as preserved beards and teeth from him and other prophets. Unfortunately no pictures were allowed, but that kind of added to the experience. Tried to keep as many mental snapshots as possible.

By the time we left, the Hagia Sophia was closed so we decided to head to the Grand Bazaar. Definitely one of the biggest buildings I’ve ever been in, a really interesting mix of modern stores and sole proprietors hocking their carpets, lamps, etc. Everyone was trying to sell something, and most had a hard time taking “Not interested” for an answer. Nonetheless, it was a great experience.

It was extremely cold after we left as the sun was going down, but we were able to make it to the Galata bridge in order to try some Balik Ekmik (fish sandwich) that my buddy Avi had told me about. The best 3TL sandwich I’ve ever had, so delicious. After this we were pretty exhausted and cabbed it back to the area our hotel is in.

We found a small café/hooka bar and got some pizza, kebab, and apple hooka. Had some weird Spanish dude with a video camera sit next to us and ask us to smoke our hooka, then followed that with videotaping my unknowing travel buddy for a good 30-45 seconds. Left there full and exhausted and came back to the hotel to grab a few drinks before hitting the bars. Now, off to the bars.

Day 1 in Istanbul

March 9, 2012, 10:15am, Poem Hotel, Istanbul

Made it to Istanbul fine yesterday and waited for Allison and Renee. Hung out in the baggage claim area reading and trying to sleep, had a little Turkish girl taking pictures of me on her cell phone. Met up with Allison and Renee and jumped in a Taxi. Driver was very friendly, was impressed that I knew what Balik Ekmek is (Thanks Avi).

The weather is a bit chilly and foggy but nice. We got to the hotel, beautiful place in the center of town close to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Walked around the cobblestone streets talking to people at the different restaurants and bars, each with their own sales pitch. We ended up going to a small Turkish restaurant whose specialty was a kabob cooked in a clay pot, which was then broken and served. We got a massive Turkish Meza plate to start with eggplant, hummus, spicy tomato salad, and a ton of other stuff. For the main course we had the signature Turkish kabob with lamb, beef, and chicken; and also the eggplant kabob. Everything was incredibly delicious, and washed down with a bottle of local red wine and orange tea.

We then decided to find a place to have a nightcap, and stumbled upon a place called ‘Cheers’. Small place with an awesome upstairs couch/pillow/sheesha lounge. Everyone spilled their drinks, and Allison refused to take her tequila shot and passed out, but it was an awesome time. Came home and slept like a baby.

Day of Travel

March 8, 2012, 8:15am, Frankfurt Airport

I took my last final today (yesterday?) in Finance, which everyone bombed, then went to Circa as they opened for a Long Island Ice Tea. Lara got there soon after and I forced a glass of Malbec down her throat before we went back to the apartment to get my stuff. Got organized and headed to the airport. Ate a late lunch at Harry’s, phenomenal tomato and crab soup. Said our tearful goodbyes and teased each other for not missing the other one, then hugged for about 10 minutes before eventually finding some way to separate and head to the terminal.

Grabbed a few whiskeys while handling admin stuff (credit cards, calling plans) and calling the folks. Jumped on and took off. Had a few whiskeys/red wine on the plane. Found a dog hair in my “chicken” dinner, unfortunately I was so hungry that it did not deter me from finishing. The worst part about flying on a plane that big is that you have to walk past all the business class seats that recline into beds before the rest of us shuffle back to the cattle cart of the economy section. Buncha bastards.

Realized very quickly that “The Grey” is not a good movie to watch on a plane, lotta graphic plane crash stuff. Switched over to “The Sitter” and popped an ambien. Went in and out of sleep until we landed, about 40 minutes early into Frankfurt, which was lucky because I was concerned about hitting the connection flight to Istanbul. Gathered my stuff, went back through security, and found the closest bar. Gotta at least have one Pils while in Germany, even if it’s briefly and at 7:30am. Stuff is delicious. Now onto the shorter leg of the journey to Istanbul.