Part Four : Chimes of a Different Rhyme

In place of church bells, this is what chimes through the city of Istanbul five times a day.

Part Three : Prince's Island and Asia

A one hour ferry ride one can be on Prince's Island. A tourist island with rented bikes and some nice jungle views.

A ten minute ferry ride Rebecca and I were in Asia. We got lost in what seemed the Beverly Hills of Istanbul and a busy neighborhood with children and old men. Although I might've slightly hoped for Asian stereotypes to be thrown at me, the Asian side of Istanbul was a relaxing alternative to the bustling Western epicenter of clothing stores.

Asian side

Istanbul is an amazingly perplexing city where the hospitality is ready with çay (tea). It left me wanting to go back, explore more and slowly begin to understand their complicated culture and history. Perhaps a huge part of that was our Couchsurfing hosts. Thanks hostesses with the mostesses! They've inspired me to open my tiny corner of the world when arriving back in America.

Part Two : Paradoxic Square

Basilica Cistern

Hagia Sofia

 The main tourist square in Istanbul houses the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia and Basilica Cistern. All grand, all have withstood many changes of arms, religions and a lot of things I don't know. One fun fact : the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camaii) was built by the Sultan to 'out do' the Christian Hagia Sofia, according to our Couchsurfing hosts. Today it is strangely littered with pushy salesmen, hyper-touristic tourist shops and corn on the cob (although that I don't mind so much).

The Blue Mosque

Inside Blue Mosque

Part One : Baklava Means Six Pack Abs

How does one not love a city that straddles two continents and two religions, where the direct translation of baklava is six-pack and there are too many different types of street food?

Turkish flags everywhere

A bridge lined with fish restaurants!

Istanbul is a weird mix of Western consumerism, a history for the history books and a constantly evolving traditional culture. Paradoxical, chaotic, fragrant, rainy and sunny; Rebecca and I explored the streets mostly lost and seeing what we stumbled on.