la.ravie: May I Swim in Your Eyes?

A man sits on Sultanahmet Square, the Blue Mosque visible in the background

Istanbul was an eye opening experience. I wasn't sure what to expect from the city, other than I was expecting different. What I found was a culturally diverse, friendly population of people. The city itself is somewhat of an oddity, it straddles two continents; Istanbul literally is where East meets West via the Bosphorus.

This destination was one I was most anticipating, and the one my dad objected to the most. I've always wanted to visit Turkey and I wasn't letting the oportunity pass me by when I was already so close. I admit, I was a little nervous; however, Chaya and I were smart about where and when we were and for the most part, I felt perfectly safe.

Make sure to stay in the Sultanahmet district, it's close to most tourist destinations and there's a few streets where all of the hostels and hotels are. There are plenty of people walking around and hanging out in cafes and tea gardens, it's so easy to get stuck at one with a hookah and a backgammon board. Chaya and I stayed at the Big Apple Hostel; we enjoyed ourselves, but had hoped to stay at Metropolis. I suggest trying to book the later, we found the desk clerk a little overbearing.

While we really did love Istanbul, the city got a little tiring. Everyone tried to offer you a deal, which turns out to just be the actual price anyway; all of the shop owners try and get you to drink apple tea with them; and you start to miss just walking down the street without being hollered at constantly. That being said, we did collect a number of wonderful new pick up lines, from which the title of this post is taken from. Do stop and sit in a carpet shop and have tea though, just don't stay there for 4 hours (yes, it happens).

Things you must do in Istanbul: take a cruise on the Bosphorus, visit the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, take a Turkish bath, and visit the Grand Bazaar - best shopping out of everywhere I've been!