We are back in Instanbul for some more sightseeing, such as this mosque.
We go to the spice market...
...where we sample some Turkish delight, which we don't find
all that delightful, sorry.
Taking a break outside those shops, with seabirds flying in.
We drive across this bridge to the Asian side of Instanbul.
We walk over to the Kadikoy Market, but stop at this vendor...
...so everyone can try one of the roasted chestnuts.
In the market are vendors of every type. Anyone need a goat head?
These look like doner, but are actually intestines on a spit. Some more adventurous members of
our group want to sample it, but the vendor says they are not ready yet.
Here is the pickle vendor. Various meals have included pickles, which have been quite intense but tasty.
A local delicacy is to get a glass of spiced pickle juice, which Wade tries. It is undrinkably salty,
but fortunately it was served with a whole pickle inside, so Wade eats that and dumps the liquid.
Turkey is actually a major producer of olives; they just don't export as many as Spain or Italy.
This goatskin contraption is for aging and storing goat cheese.
The market has a variety of restaurants and shops.
Kimberly stops for a Turkish coffee.
A lot of our group stopping for a Turkish coffee.
They read the grounds there like reading tea leaves.
Our lunch again includes a variety of local favorites like thyme salad and hummus.
A beef stew with cherries and olives.
A rice and chicken pudding. Very homey dish.
Everywhere we went, the baklava was to die for.
This sign is from 2023 and commemorates the 100th anniversary of Turkey becoming a republic.
Instead of bussing back, we take a pedestrian ferry back across the Bosphorus.
This busker played throughout our voyage, just like the soundtrack of being in a movie.
Here he switches to a local instrument called the saz.
Back on the European side, we walk from our hotel to the Grand Bazaar, passing this magazine stand.
Here is one entrance to the Grand Bazaar, gate 7.
This gives an idea of the activity level.
Inside the first hallway we went down.
It is huge. This is just a random cross-street from the main aisle we are on.
Gold shops are everywhere. Besides selling to the tourists,
many people in Turkey buy gold as a hedge against inflation.
One of our group wanted some calligraphy, and Nilufer helps out with the transaction.
Many of the group stayed longer, but we make our way out another entrance past some booksellers.
That exit takes us through Instanbul University.
Pretty fancy for a university.
That night, we return to Ozi's Pizza and Pasta, where had eaten two weeks ago on the trip. We have
mushroom pasta, and ravioli with basil sauce.
