Istanbul

Monday 4th October

Would have loved to have slept in, having not slept much the last two nights, but things to do. Got my docos together and went to the UK embassy to get a Letter of recommendation, or something, from them for the Indian Embassy, for my Indian visa. Cost over $100. Then off to the Indian emabssy. There was hardly a queue and by 10am i was out of there, Fingers crossed i can collect it on Friday. 

Back to the hostel, where Andrew had just got up. We had kebab for early lunch and a wander around the spice market. Neither of us feel like doing too much after a busy couple of weeks. And i am here for another 12 days so i can do my sightseeing when Andrew has gone home. 12 days? Well i thought it would take longer to get the visa sorted so booked my flight accordingly. Nevermind. All good, just sat around surfing. We sat on the hostel roof this arvo overlooking the Bosphorous; an excellent view, blue skies and the sun shining. Its chilly here, alot different from two weeks ago.


Tuesday 5th October

Not much to say really. Slept in late, then went to Macca's for lunch, Andrew's choice, as opposed to my choice of Burger King yesterday; its the only cheap food around except Kebabs of which i have eaten too many in the last couple of months. We had a quick look around the outside of the Blue Mosque. Will have a proper look another day, plus you have to wear long pants.    Our bunk is in the hostel basement with 10 other bunks. No wallpaper or even plaster, just the bricks and mortar and some Egyptian art, and Native American arrows on the wall. So, its got character. Its peaceful and clean here and i negotiated a long stay rate with the manager.

Wednesday 6th October

Another long lazy day, by choice. As I say, Andrew isnt fussed about the sights so i will do them by myself next week. So today, i got up for the free breakfast, chatted to an Aussie couple, had a lie down while we waited for the power, and therefore the router, to come back on and surfed until lunchtime. Went out for a kebab and came back for more surfing. The joy of free wi-fi. We just went out to watch the baseball in the pub, Andrew's choice, but it wasnt on, despite the poster outside. So grabbed another kebab and came back. Its drizzling and cold so good for staying in.


Thursday 7th October.

Up for breakfast,despite warm bed and cool surroundings. Said goodbye to Andrew as he returns to Canada today. That makes me the last Af Trailer to leave Istanbul, and the first time I have been 'travelling', or in this case staying in the same place, by myself since Barcelona last November. 

This morning I went to Topkapi Palace, one of the main sights of Istanbul.  And it was good for 3 hours of wandering around. It was very busy in places and it was a bit of a crush and like being herded sheep. Also you were not allowed to take photos of any of the old artifacts. I managed without the audio guide and just used my LP to get around.

The palace was first lived in in 1453 and was home for the Ottoman Sultans until 1839. Highlights included some old Ottoman carriages, The Imperial Chamber where the council would meet to dicsuss imperial affairs while the Sultan listened in from behind a grille (why wasn't he invited in if he is the Big Cheese?). There were aso some imperial robes, kaftans and uniforms on display. The kaftans (cloaks) were so big you could have got a small family into one, nevermind one Sultan. They also had some of Prophet Mohammed's hair, his tooth and his sword, as well as lots of information about his life.

And there was a man seated near the exit of one of the rooms and he was, i think, making the call to prayer, or he might have been reciting the Koran. I guess i should have asked him, but it would have been rude to interrupt. But having heard the call to prayer so often in the last few months it was good to actually see a face behind the voice.

Other treasures included huge gold and diamond candlesticks, the Spoonmaker's diamond which is 86 carats and the fifth biggest diamond in the world, and the Topkapi dagger which features 3 enormous emeralds. A gaggle of Italian ladies were practically drooling over the ancient jewellery box that was stuffed with huge emeralds. Just after observing this i noticed they had pinned me into a corner of the room when i had been trying to just stay in the middle of the room, look over people's shoulders and avoid the herding.

The outside courtyard had a lots more room. There were good views of the Bosphorous and the mosques and bridges of the city. Three other pavillions, built at different times, are joined by a marble terrace, and outside and inside they have lovely tiled walls and patterned domes inside.

Well i have plenty of time on my hands while i wait for my Indian visa. Will upload some pix to facebook.