How did I end up here?

I’m not sure where I was headed when I left the hotel this morning but my day started well with confirmation of an upgrade from Tokyo to Auckland on AirNZ. I had made the lowest possible offer and really didn’t expect it to come through. I suppose that means the flight is half empty and I could have stretched out anyway but all good thanks. I’ll take that. 

At some stage in the morning I decided to head to the Jewish/Greek quarters and with my trusted metro map in hand off I went. Well I wont bore you with the details but after walking in the heat for over an hour I ended up close to where I started and on the wrong side of the Golden Horn. Once again everyone I asked had me turning here, going straight there, going right, going left. Turns out they were all wrong. I should have relied on my map app but after yesterday I was loathe to do that again. 

I was right near the cable car stop for Istikal St so off I went. This is a street, probably 2km long that is wall to wall shops, cafes and tourist stuff. At the far end sits Taksim Square and half way along Galata Tower. I guess there arevlocals strolling the shops but it is pretty much wall to wall tourists shopping up large. 

I joined the throngs. I did the unthinkable and bought something but that’s not unusual for me. It’s a bit scary when you see a price of 1,000 lira until you realise its only about $65. 

With sore feet and dry mouth I stopped for a snack at yet another kokoreç store. These guys didn’t chop the meat up into tiny pieces like the other places and my half bread with kokoreç circles was so bloody good I had another. With a lot of seasoning you can’t notice too much of the offal taste but this time you got the different textures; the crunch of the intestine on the outside and the softness of the offal in the middle. 

My wandering in the heat continuing past the Galata Tower and then down to the Galata Bridge and home. Everything in close proximity so I am spoiled.  

I was too fidgety when I got back to the hotel so I set off on a mission. To buy the bloody statue. 

Since yesterday I have been emailing the store in the Grand Bazaar I went to the other day. The same crowd have a variety of stores all close by and each store had at least one of the statues that were as close as I will ever get. Our chats continued for a while with photos back and forth and then I asked the price. Well within my budget but I still suggest a lower 2000 lira. He comes back with a “No”, so I suggest 2,500. No reply. Hmmm. 

All good. I figured the person emailing me would have sent me the photo of the one he had in his store first so I wandered in and out of the shops trying to figure which was the guy I was messaging. I knew I couldn’t bargain with him and by this stage I wasn’t fussed about the colour. 

I found the statue from the first photo so knew I was safe to go back to the very first shop I had been. Same lovely guy there from the other day. I showed him the one I want, asked the price; 3,000 lira the response. 

2,000 I respond! I saw a glimmer of hope when he replied 2,500. Sold for 2,400lira. Double bubble wrapped and now my next mission to get it home. 

I think I’ve nearly crossed everything off my list. Another good simit would help 🤣. 

My neighbourhood is wall to wall restaurants and cafes. Stupidly the one I chose had pretty much an entirely western menu but after ordering chicken schnitzel for dinner I was bought an appetizer. The most divine aubergine dip which I devoured spread thick on bread. Oh oh. I dont need my schnitzel now. Said no one. 

The schnitzel came with a mayonnaise heavy potato salad which is something I would usually avoid but it was laced with dill and was delicious as was the schnitzel. I was sitting kerb side so spent some time watching the comings and goings. Nothing crazy just people outside wandering on a beautiful warm still evening. 

Fish lips abound, shorts n mini tops seem to be the dress standard for girls at night and tell tale plasters on many noses show that a nose jobs has recently occurred.  I don’t know where these young ladies are from but I don’t hear giggles, shrieks or swearing and there’s not a phone in sight. 

I asked for the bill which was quickly presented in a small plant pot. Into the pot I put my money, the waiter took it away and another waiter bought it back, put it on the table. If I was smart I could have taken my money and walked but I was honest and told him that it was not my change but my payment in the pot. 🤣

Tomorrow is my last day to explore Istanbul. So much more to do, so much more to see. What will I do first?