(Istanbul)
(Istanbul)
(Turkish Coffee)
We then headed off to our main goal of the day, the archaeology museum. Being in a place like Istanbul we figured the museum would have a ton of history but I don't think any of us expected quite as much as we got to see. I don't think I have ever spent so long looking at rocks... Granted the rocks were carved into beautiful things, after three hours, they just look like rocks. I don't think any of us wanted to be the first one to give in and by the three hour mark we felt like we really should just power through and finish the museum but it was rough. I'll save all of you from the literal hundreds of pictures I took of said rocks and just give you a small sampling. There was also a glass exhibit which after looking at rocks was pretty much the best thing ever so that will be in here too.
(Museum)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Mummy)
(Fancy Rocks)
(Fancy Rocks)
(Fancy Rocks)
(Rocks for Kids)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Fashionable Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Random Unexplained Body in the Ground)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
(Rocks)
Oh, there was also an exhibit on all of the shipwrecks they had pulled from the inlet.
(Shipwreck)
(Shipwreck)
(Shipwreck)
(Shipwreck)
(Freedom from Rocks)
(Glass!)
(Glass!)
(Glass!)
(Glass!)
(Glass!)
(Glass!)
(Glass!)
(My Roommate)
(Glass!)
After we finally escaped the rocks we headed toward the grand bazaar only to find out it was closed. Sad and starving we got dessert for lunch and then set out to wander home. On the way we were lucky enough to find a market where the more local people shop which meant cheap prices! We shopped for awhile and after not shopping at all for the last three months, I may have gone a little overboard.
(Fried Dough and Cheese Dessert)
(Baklava)
(Istanbul)
(Istanbul)
(Istanbul)
(Istanbul)
(Istanbul)
Once we finally pulled ourselves away from the shopping and made it back to the hostel we decided to go to the Asian side of Istanbul. Istanbul is the only city in the world that is on two different continents. The European side of Istanbul is by far the more touristy side but why not go to Asia when you have the chance. We got directions from our hostel and got on the ferry to head across. When the ferry stopped everyone got off so we did too but we honestly had no idea if we were in Asia or not. All we knew is that we were hungry. We started to wander into town and soon realized this is where actual residents of Istanbul live and shop. Everything was so inexpensive and we eventually just wandered into a random restaurant. Lucky for us the owner had lived in New York for two years and spoke very good English. He basically picked our dinner for us and it was very good although I still have no idea what it was. Although it was a restaurant the main business seemed to be that it was a bakery and the owner was nice enough to give us a bunch of free food. Perhaps the most interesting thing though was one of the desserts he gave us. On the menu it said 'Chicken Dessert.' We asked him what it was and he just goes ohhh, it's my favorite, you will like it. Now after getting the dessert we figured it kind of looked like a chicken breast so they has to be the reason for the name. It was delicious but we decided to look up exactly what it was. Apparently 'chicken dessert' does not just look like chicken, but is chicken... They cook the meat and then boil it in water and shred the meat until it is just fibers and has no chicken taste left. Then it is combined with other things and made into 'chicken dessert.' It was so so strange but, it was a truly turkish experience. We ate way too many sweets and then headed out in the direction he told us to go. We found the ferry back to Europe and then began our nice walk home along the ocean. Needless to say, free food and kind people make for a good night.
(Unidentified Noodle Dinner)
(Cookies)
(Fried Dough)
(Chicken Dessert)
(Rice Pudding)
(Asia)
(Asia)
(Asia)
(Europe)
(Europe)
(Europe)
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