First time out in Taksim

Still somewhat recovering from jet-lag I decided to explore the city a bit with one of my room mates. But before we could explore the electricity bill for the apartment I stay in was due, over due in fact. So we agreed to fist go pay the bill since no one else could do it that day. It took quite a while, but we eventually found the right building, and the right entrance on the building. After waiting in a long line, which is nothing new, lines move much the same anywhere you go, the bill was paid and we were free to adventure again.

Walking down a nice brick paved avenue one fellow, Vedat, called us over to chat. Asking where we were from and telling us about his work. Now, I worked in a market before selling worthless birdhouses to tourists, so I had seen my fair share of swanky sales pitches, but this guy was smooth. Just to avoid spending more I bought a little painted ceramic disk but Amanda, my room mate, was lured back into the carpet room. I went back and had tea with Vadat while his partner tried to sell his entire stock to Amanda. When all was done and we said our goodbyes my experience with being drawn into a carpet store was very pleasant.

Walking around we went to see about tickets to the opera at Ataturk Cultural Center but they were closed. If I have the energy tonight I might catch a cab to see the opera, but I'll probably stick around here and sleep more.

Istanbul is a very contoured city, the roads twist over hills and as you walk around, you are suddenly privileged to amazing views. But enough talk, here is one of them:



This I saw as I was crossing over traffic on a foot bridge looking for the electric company. I'm pretty sure that's looking over the Bosphorus.

Come to think of it, a compass might be more useful in this city than a map.

Here is another picture of my room mate Amanda standing in front of a fountain in a park.



Sadly, the fountain was filled with litter.