First Stroll in Istanbul
January 22, 2011Posted by DaddyBird
I don’t usually get around to posting on this blog. Unfortunately I’m usually too busy writing, editing, proofreading, tweeting and configuring things elsewhere. Hopefully, I can get a few posts in while we’re here in Istanbul.
After getting settled in to our cozy room, grabbing a few things from a local market and having a bit of dinner, Kanga was wiped out. I was tired too, but just had to go out for a walk anyway. We’re only a couple of blocks away from the Blue Mosque! Why wait ’til tomorrow to see it? When I’m in a new place, I like to walk around and get the lay of the land as soon as possible anyway, so out I went.
I took some pictures while I was out. Of course some of them were of the local cats. They’re plenty of them around, which is the sign of a great city. 😀 (Lara and Terrence over at The GranTourismo Travel Blog have a cool post about the cats in Istanbul.)
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| An Istanbul street kitty |
Took a few night-time pictures of the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofia. They certainly don’t do to the structures justice, but then, I’m not sure that any pictures can.
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| Aya Sofia |
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| The Blue Mosque |
Walking distances are much shorter than I expected, which is great; we’re even closer to more of the sights that I knew. So far the city is just stunning. Can’t wait to see more of it in daylight. The weather is great! Nice and cool. While I was out walking around in 10 degree Celsius weather, wearing a t-shirt and no jacket, I was asked by several if I wasn’t cold. I told them I enjoy the cold, which I certainly do. This is my kind of weather. (Well, a bit cooler and rainier would be great too!)
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| Firuz Aga Camii |
Our friend Rupert, who has lived in Istanbul, made a number of recommendations on places to go and things to do. One suggestion was to check out the pudding shops. I found one just a few steps away from Aya Sophia. The pudding is tasty, and the food looked good too, may go back for dinner.
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| A Pudding Shop! |
I uploaded a few of the pictures that I took this evening to a Picasa album. Here’s the link: http://picasaweb.google.com/pauliancastle/Istanbul
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| Go down to the end of this street and turn left and you’re at our place. |
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| This seems to be how they say, “Don’t park in front of this building” in our neighborhood. |
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| Kitty in the window |
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| On a sidewalk near the Blue Mosque; I think I’ve seen these exact items on sale in Naif! 😉 |
More soon!
Living the Travel Channel 
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Paul Castle and Paul Castle, Miss Preeto. Miss Preeto said: RT @DaddyBird: First Stroll in Istanbul: http://t.co/xj0fCvK Another blog post, already! 😀 […]
That street side vendor is part of a worldwide franchise.
The story behind it s beginnings is a must read for any business student.
The entrepreneur was struggling with finance problems and maintaining the quality of the franchise as it grows worldwide.
On a more serious note, Istanbul is an awesome city.
I hope to get to see it again, and I look forward to more posts.
Enjoy!