3 new countries in 3 months......33% to my goal! Turkey..Istanbul!

So #7) Visit 10 new countries (this post is filled with links so check them out)on the 2007 Goals is 33% of the way there. Karen was going to be in Turkey so this was a great opportunity to get #3! I left on Friday and arrived in Istanbul in the early evening. We were staying in Sultan Ahmet so I grabbed a cab and headed. The ride was a little hectic with Mario Andretti as the driver (he locked up the brakes twice) but I arrived in one piece.
After some chilling we headed into the city for a cocktail and some dinner. We had a drink the top of the Marmara Hotel and then headed to find a dining establishment that a friend rec'd. After a LONG search we found Lebi Derya in a small ally.

From the outside you would think this was a dive, but after a little elavator ride we were blessed with a great table and view from the roof of the city.

Dinner was good and we headed back to the hotel for some rest. We woke the next day to find the weather a nice and sunny 12c and headed to see the sites. Here are the highlights!
Sultan Ahmed Mosque





Sophia Mosque

Basilica Cistern



Good luck!

Chilling in Istanbul!


Cats too! (Hi M-pants)

After a little site seeing we headed to the Grand Bazaar This was touristy, but we walked and found some cool areas...this place sold everything even guns....that was kind of scary....saw lots of white guys there?? This I bought some bread from this guy....off his head!


We walked a ton and had a keebab at a very local place. After some food we started walking again and saw the Muslims getting ready for prayer. Wudu I believe.

In the same area a lady sold food to feed the pigeons:

Traffic:

More walking..over onto the Golden Horn: Mad fishing!

We walked through fish markets, industial areas, you name it....very cool! On our travels we ran into a hooka bar near a mosque and endulged in a little tea and some apple water pipe (and backgammon too...KK beat me ;-):

That night we headed to a another local rec from a friend and had some great mezze and fish. Our waiter rocked and was very chill...no menu only food and Raki We headed to a club after, but it was filled with Joeys, so we headed back to the hotel. Sunday KK was feeling a little ill, so we chilled and changed hotels to the Hilton (thanks AG)

KK was feeling a little better in the afternoon so we headed to do some shopping and just chill. The day ended with use having some food at a cool place in Sultan Ahmet (food was okay but the location kicked ASS!)

Walk home:

We got up the next day knowing "THE MAN" was calling so I jumped a flight and KK went off to focus groups. Overall Istanbul is cool...I would head back. I am off to ski in 100CM of POW POW this weekend in Eberg so more of G's travels to come.... all I can say is that I am blessed.....