Istanbul, Turkey: Day 2

We began our day with breakfast at 8 AM and then went back to sleep until noon, when we (Jill, Steph, Amy, and I) left to go shopping at the spice bazaar. We first stopped at a small restaurant to get gyro-like meat sandwiches, and I found that my “kabob” (shredded chicken on a bed of rice with peppers and French fries) was much more delicious than their chicken sandwiches (complete with lettuce and carrots, eww). Amy then left us, and we walked across the bridge separating the two areas of the European side of Istanbul to get to the bazaar.

Once we got there, we were completely enthralled. The bazaar was incredible, with rows upon rows of shops selling spices, nuts, candy (more Turkish delight), dried fruits, perfumes, tapestries, and plenty of other fantastic items. We stopped first at a perfumerie, where one can choose from the rows of scents and choose bottles to accompany them. We each purchased several (with a discount :]) and moved on. Nearly every store (vendor) lured us inside, and we found that the people were not only charming but sincere. In nearly every shop we went into, one of my coughs immediately elicited a “can I get you some water or tea?” or an “are you sick? I can fix that.” One man sat me down and told me he had the cure. He took a spoonful of one of his spices, mixing it with water and telling me to chug it as it would be spicy. Five seconds later my mouth was on fire, but five minutes later my cough had soothed considerably. I bought chilies and spices and teas for everyone, as well as some Turkish delight samplers for people to try.

When we got back to the ship, Tom called and invited me to a pre-season soccer game that night, which I declined, as Jill and Steph and I had plans. About an hour later, Jill and Steph called to invite me to the soccer game, which I again declined for no reason at all, really. I was feeling like quite the homebody. After re-realizing that there is no TV, movies, or internet on the ship, I grew bored and began wandering. I ran into Tim, who had no plans for the night except that he wanted to go to a hookah bar. Although I had been to one the night before, I agreed and we left around 10:30. He took me to one he had seen earlier, which had beanbags and small tables spread across a park-like area next to a restaurant. We spent a relaxing hour people-watching and eating cheese-toast before returning to the ship to sleep.