Monday, July 23, 2007

2007 - Post-Graduation Mediterranean - Day 50

Day 50:

- Bump into girls met in Santorini, take ferry over. Hagia Sofia closed.
- Go into Blue Mosque. Just like seen in TV. Cool lights in the bulbous glass casings (find out used to be oil lamps judging by the ones in Hagia Sofia).
- Smelly carpet, heavy wear on carpet. Beautiful drawings inside. 4 large columns. Very open. Seems smaller from inside. Donation desk at front. Great courtyard.
- Cistern. Water dripping everywhere. Enter through "shack." Carp, music.
- Tear column, thick flared ones, 2 medusas, almost all different, Great ambiance.
- Grand Bazaar. Like a mall. Newer parts have TV panels with ads. Cooler inside.
- Not as aggressive as Morocco. People are generally nice. Sucked into carpet store on way, and taste doner.
- Turkish tea at "tourist cafe." David eat brochette.
- Walk to Suleymaniya Mosque.
- Larger than Blue Mosque. Almost same, but less decorated. Still very impressive.
- Ask person first as David didn't want to go in. Nice gardens in front and person selling bread.
- "Thank you for your donation" as walk out of courtyard.
- Cemetary and sultan's tomb. Quaran reading inside. cool light fixtures.
- Walk to Spice Bazaar. More chaotic, dirty, locals.
- Got doner on way.
- Spice and lokum shops. Speak Chinese and give sample and card. Delicious. 2nd try Chinese, not too good.
- See cool hangout with carpets, water pipes and cat on roof.
- See bridge and other side.
- Find Ali M... original store. Buy box. Strange pricing scheme.
- Formaldehyde toothpaste. 1.5 vs. 5 YTL. Then find same 5YTL toothpaste for 3YTL in store in front of hostel.
- Back to hostel for shower, water, ayran.
- Free eye pin from street vendor.
- Try to meet the Brazillian girl. Obviously not interested hang out with us.
- Goto Orient Hostel for belly dancing. They not there.
- Ate at restaurant with puffy bread and apple tea.
- OK but touristy belly dance. Limbo, involve audience. Take shirt off guys.
- "Try to meet some people." Some from Netherlands. 2 overweight older gentlemen with water and embarrasing dance.
- Meet NZ girls. Cool off on roof. Learn one roommate was Lonley Planet contributor.
- She travel by self Silk Road. Learned of it after her departure.
- Talk to another NZ... travel to Romania and beyond.

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