Arrival in Istanbul

I spent a lovely day in Istanbul.  The train arrived late, or should I say the bus.  The last two hours were on a bus.  I find this thoroughly entertaining since the guide I was reading that suggests this train goes on and on about how nice the last section is along the old city walls.

Alas

Arrived, and headed to Hostel, or so I thought.  Apparently, the hostel is marked wrong on Google maps by a good 20 minute walk.  Eventually found the actual Hostel (I asked about this, apparently it's something they plan to get around to fixing eventually) which has a later check in time.  Shower, I asked?  5 Lira before and after check in time.  I decided instead to just change into a cleaner (note: not clean) shirt and head out.  It was almost lunch, we were about three hours late on the train.  I navigated surprisingly well given the time away from Istanbul and relatively short period I was here for, arriving just in time to catch the ferry to the asian side.  I had lunch at Ciya, meeting up with the manager and meeting Musa's wife for the first time.

Afterwards, I met a couch-surfer and her host on the ferry back to the european side.  They invited me to watch the world cup with them, taking my email to contact me.  I had a last minute conversation about CTY and my arrival.  I can't believe tomorrow I am flying to Dubai and then on to Hong Kong.  I am still a little in shock about this.  If all goes as intended, I will have circled the globe.  That's pretty cool.

I went to the spice market for Nick, hoping to pick up some Safran and a few other small items.  Then headed to the grand bazaar to walk.  It's amazing there, it just keeps going.  I think it's a little like Mary Poppin's bag in that the outside is not representative of the inner volume.

I like how there is a street of silver stores, then a street of gold stores, then a street of diamond stores.  It's almost like little districts.

Came back and checked into the hostel after all the tourists were kicked out of the Mosque when prayers started.  Quick skype conversation, and now a nap before figuring out my evening plans.  I want to start transitioning to Hong Kong time sooner than later.