Fast, Faster...

Things seem to be happening quicker than I can keep up with blogging about them! The rest of Istanbul was smooth - and I have some great dinner pictures to share. The restaurant was an outdoor patio with a view over the Bosphorous.

Now that I am in Bratislava, I did loads of touring around this weekend, and even went to Vienna today!!! Can you believe it? I had the opportunity to speak Deutsch! Ja! Sehr gut! Prima estas!
I hired a tour guide today, and we took the train from Bratislava to Vienna (about 45 minutes) - then took a tram to a subway to the city center. We were in "Wein" from 9:45am to 2:00pm. We walked so much; my feet are killing me. We then came back to Bratislava and saw 3 more sights here before we finished at 5:30pm. What a full day! Will upload pics soon... I'm missing my bed, and have 3 full work days ahead before I head home. Talk to you soon!
Our group at dinner...

Can you see the lights of the bridge over the Bosphorous?

Brennan and Grandma - May 3, 2008

Hilarious!!!

Sunday Thinking

It's Sunday here in Istanbully, and I had a nice leisurely breakfast on the executive floor, and am now relaxing in my room until the boat tour that Jackie, Emanuelle and I are doing at 2pm. While it's 50Euros's - a LOT, I guess it's supposed to be a private tour. (Although it's really hard to know for sure as not very many people speak English here...) I've been desperately using the small English/Turkish translation at the back of my Lonely Planet guide.

I was just updating pictures, and reviewed my newer house pictures complete with landscaping. I'm so happy that it's done, I thought I'd post a few pics here. :) More later!

Turkeeee Pics

Hamdi Rooftop Restaurant - Amazing Lunch!

Pretzel Vendor on the Sidestreets

The Blue Mosque

The Aya Sofya

Inside the Aya Sofya
View of Gelata Tower

Istanbullish

(Note to reader: I will continue to modify the true names of places and the people in my accounts to protect the innocent. :) )
This place has a rich and amazing culture. Very compact setting. There are rolling hills everywhere, and apartment buildings extremely close together. 70M people in this country, and I can't remember how many actually reside in this bullish city.
I am at the Moven-tooth-pick hotel, which is only a 3YTL (new Turkish Lyra) ride, and about 5 minutes in length distance from the office. Of course, the taxi which took me home Friday night, took a long way around (and I could tell that we looped back to the same corner) - and he then charged me 5 YTL. I called him on it, and he shrugged his shoulders and said, "traffik". I would have gone for that, except that it was 8pm and the roads weren't busy. Except for this one instance, my other 4 taxi rides have been good, so I'm hoping to have it smooth from here out. I am also practicing my Turkish with the drivers, which I think shows a "good faith effort" to connect with their culture.
I took a half day guided tour today with MA, a consultant from France(Emmanuelle), and Hannah and Andreas, her husband (from Denmark). We had a great time. We saw the Aya Sofya, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and ate lunch on a rooftop overlooking the Golden Horn-straight connection with the Bosphorous waterway. I had lamb kabaap - and it was very nice, but the best part was the pastachio baklava. The view and service was fantastic.
MA went back to her hotel (not feeling well), Emmanuelle, Hannah and Andreas headed to Grand Bazaar, while I walked by the ferry's and crossed the Galata Bridge. I found some great places where I want to go and play backgammon and puff on a nargelih. I have read that I want to order the tobacco "elma" (tobacco soaked in apple juice, which gives it a sweet flavor and scent). The water pipe is brought to the table, hot coals will be placed in it to get it started, and a disposable plastic mouthpiece will fit over the pipe's stem. Hopefully, we can do a ferry ride and have the nargileh experience tomorrow! More to come....

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  • ▼  July (5)
    • Fast, Faster...
    • Brennan and Grandma - May 3, 2008
    • Sunday Thinking
    • Turkeeee Pics
    • Istanbullish

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