The last time I was in Istanbul was in 2015. I had planned to stay for five weeks but instead spent most of that time at Oktoberfest and exploring Troy, Pergamum and Ephesus. Sorry I did you wrong in the past Istanbul, let me make it up to you this time around; well as much as I can in two and a half days.
After spending so long on a sandy island in the Maldives, arriving into wintery Istanbul was a welcome shock to the system. I was without cold-weather clothes, having abandoned a coat and sweatshirt in Dubai the previous March. The weather was generally dreadful and rainy for the two days that I was there; nevertheless, I enjoyed every moment of it.
Since my last visit to Istanbul, the ride-sharing service Uber was been disbanded from operations — complicating my ability to travel from place to place. Sure it’s not rocket science, but attempting to give directions or even pronounce an address correctly to a Turkish taxi driver who doesn’t speak English is a difficult task. As is making correct change for taxi fare or even hailing a taxi from a busy street to begin with.
Luckily my friend Canset played the part of gracious hostess and ride-sharer, translator and local guide during my visit. She even lent me her brother’s coat to use while I was visiting. We ate at cool cafes and restaurants and even had traditional Turkish hammam baths. In a hammam, your skin is scrubbed and exfoliated while being showered in bubbles. I was also able to finally visit the Hagia Sophia, which has been transformed into a mosque which I will assert is silly.
this dj’s music had unintended distortion he couldn’t fix 
Galata Tower – my favorite tower 
can you spot the famous guy? 
inside the hagia sophia
Another fun memory entailed stumbling upon an internet celebrity, the proprietor of a famous Turkish steak restaurant, who emerged from one of his restaurants, much to the delight of gathered onlookers, as I was walking by. A non-highlight of this visit was the Covid test needed for my forthcoming arrival to Croatia.
