Today was my chance to explore downtown Istanbul for its cultural aspects. I stood outside the Hagia Sophia and explored the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayı - "Sunken Palace") and Grand Baazar. My photos will never explain how beautiful Turkey is!
The Blue Mosque is beautiful inside. Hand painted, high ceilings. I always question how civilizations were able to do such complex work ahead of time. As I was leaving two children said “Afrikan” to me. I think this was a turning point. I have looked around numerous times and realized that I was the only African American in the exchange program and often times in areas that I am in downtown. I’m truly grateful to have this opportunity and bring back lots of lessons to the States.
We went for Sis Kebap for lunch, which was delicious especially since I had some bad grilled corn for breakfast. (I knew I should have gone for the roasted chestnuts.) After lunch we visited the Basilica Cistern, which was a beautiful underground maze of pillars and ponds with lots of fish. Then I snacked on Turkish ice cream, which is very interesting to say the least. Its taffy like consistency threw me for a loop but the flavors were Neapolitan and lemon.
Shortly after I made my way to the Grand Baazar where people were amazed by my Urban Outfitters Parisian necklace. At one point in the day a man asked how much did I pay for my royal blue shirt and asked to buy it off my back. Weird. But royal blue is not common in clothing.
I toured the Grand Baazar with Lexie, Nathan, Petra, Stephanie, Michal and Damian. What blast! Men asked to take pictures with us and special pictures with me. At one point I said Damian was my husband. We went outside the Baazar where we found fake Uggs, thongs stretched out on circles and cheaper prices. I was called Shakera by a few.
A few hours later I was on campus eating dinner at Gastro. I’m so tired of that place. I would love for food to be served hot not room temperature and without fries on everything. I wish I had some bbq sauce but ketchup and mayonnaise will have to do!
Tonight the exchange program went to Taksim, which is supposed to be the party place. We got stuck at an expensive bar where drinks were about $13. Yikes. I wasn’t down for the pricing so I decided to leave with Lexie, Petra, Caroline and this CIEE kid who turned out to be a butt head in search of a good night with a girl. So we leave to meet Caroline’s friends in Taksim Square. Let me tell you I felt like a sitting duck! I am never going out without sneakers or pockets. Especially since I was walking next to a blonde all night. So as we are waiting for Caroline’s friends a Gypsy child comes up to me and begs me like a toddler for money and food. That was hands down one of the most awkward experiences in my life, even more so when I turned around to see many people in the square watching me. I left after this encounter.
Lexie, Petra and I are walking up the strip and speed walking because it’s like 11pm and we didn’t know what time the shuttle would leave. On our way we see Michal, Nate, Tim, Dunia, Jasmine and some others at a mini mart. So we buy drinks and chill on the street. It’s getting later and Lexie and I want fries. We see Alberto from Italia and chitchat about a party that night. We get to BBQ chicken, which is like Popeye’s and order fries to go. We end up eating the fries there with BBQ sauce and Thai sweet chili sauce. We tipped him 4 lira ($2.71) and he comes back with Turkish tea and a chicken meal. So we eat and sneak out for good to meet with Petra. It’s about 11:30 now and people are heading back to the original bar. Lexie, Nate and I walk up the strip and chill with the Italians some more. We end up chillin’ for 2 hours on the street. Lexie learned a bit of Italian and Nate embarrassed his self by practicing his Spanish with the Italians.
By now its 1:30 and we are finally walking to a house party. We get to the building to realized we have to climb 8 flights of marble stairs in the dark. We get inside to find out it cost money; we didn’t have much time to spare since we were told the shuttle would leave at 2. So we bolted back to the main bar. This trip was not short of Turkish antics “baby. Baby.” And lots of stares. We arrive at the bar to realize most people are bored out their mind and that the shuttle isn’t leaving until 330am. Lexie, Batu, Ozzy, Lenis, Fernando and I leave again and follow Batu to an amazing club on the top floor of a building. I had an amazing time after catching my breath from climbing another 8 flights of marble stairs. I danced true American style with Ozzy and a couple of Turks. All in all I had an amazing night!
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