We spent some time chasing the airline and eventually received an email saying Helen's bag was located in Los Angeles and will be sent to Istanbul urgent on the next flight.
We headed across town on foot in search of clothes for Helen but again nothing. Using Google Maps directions, we expected to follow busy roads full of cars but instead the roads were full of shops, markets, people selling their wares. Mostly cheap knock-off brand clothing, scarves, bedding etc. Very busy and very tiring pushing through the crowds and constantly fending off people trying to sell us bottles of water and cheap perfume (mostly knock-off Chanel #5).
We located the "New Mosque" which looks pretty old to me! Opposite was the Galata Bridge which I was keen to walk over. The top is lined with fisherman hoping to catch a big one, and underneath is many restaurants. All looked perfectly fine except the maitre d' were so pushy and sleezy we ignored all on principle. I know it's the local custom but it doesn't come across well to us Kiwis who prefer to browse the menu at our leisure. We happened upon one restaurant who weren't so pushy and let us browse, the seats were waterside and looked mighty comfortable so they won our custom this evening.
It was a great place to sit and watch the many boats come and go. They're always moving, berthing for only what seems like minutes to load and unload passengers. With so many on the water it is amazing there aren't more collisions.
Dinner was nice and not overly expensive, we stayed quite a while enjoying the view and watched a Cruise Liner leave port. That will be us in a few day!!!
We then wandered toward the Egyptian Market (spice market) which was closing up so we'll save this for another day. Helen has saffron on her shopping list for a friend, we will definitely get what we need here.
There was a protest happening outside in the square but we didn't understand the signs or the chanting but the media seemed interested enough.
From our hotel to the waterfront was all downhill and quite steep at times, so we opted to catch a tram back which goes the long way round. Managed to purchase Jeton (token) even though the machine wasn't in English. The tram was packed like sardines and very difficult to squeeze in, and getting out was a worse. At our stop, with my camera bag on, I got wedged in, and had to push so hard to move. When I eventually broke free I was ejected at speed from the tram and crashed into people on the platform knocking them like bowling balls! Most thought it was amusing and I probably made their day too.
Still a bit jet lagged and not adjusted to the heat, we retired early. Here's a nice evening shot I took from the bridge.
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