Saturday No.2



A view from the Pierre Loti Tea Gardens.



The sun shone nicely through the window at daybreak and I could even spend the morning in just a long sleeve shirt and woollen vest.  Because of the clear skies we could take a trip to the Pierre Loti Tea Gardens for a great view of the city looking down the Golden Horn.  A light haze tended to blanket the horizon but it was nice just to sit and enjoy it.  Tea and coffee are in abundance here but fortunately for someone who does not drink either there are many alternatives elmar Çay (apple tea) is sweet and caffeine free thankfully.  It was a great bus ride out to the gardens driving through some of the areas that tend to be off the beaten tourist track.  You see a raw side of Istanbul and how the real people live from day to day.  Traffic is very busy here and twice the bus driver had his side mirror clipped by passing motorists and both times he reached ut to straighten it while he was still driving.  Organised chaos is a term that best describes the situation over here.  Or is it ‘chaotic organisation’?   On our way to the gardens we stopped at a Bulgarian Church made from iron with some very old and magnificently carved thrones.  There was an historical explanation behind it but I didn’t take a lot in at the time and don’t have the time here to explain its how it came to be built other than to say it appeared that some favours were done for some Bulgarians at some stage in Ihistory. 

A photo of the Basilica Cistern.  A huge underground
area beneath the city. (175m by 90m)

            After our tasty boarding house lunch, we headed to the Basilica Cistern.  This was quite an experience.  The cistern was constructed by the Byzants in the 6^th century to hold the city’s water and now as a tourist attraction it is truly one of the hidden gems of the city.  You descend down into the cistern and I must admit they have done well to portray and present this attraction in a ghostlike yet strangely captivating manner.  I was quite taken by it and needless to say, the group was patiently waiting for me at the top although I didn’t know it at the time.

Inside the Blue Mosque just before prayer time.

            We made our way over to the Blue mosque just as they were closing it up for visitors.  Special rules applied here as we were required to remove our shoes and the women had to don scarves or headwear.  Much like the Aya Sofya, I was astounded by the scale of the construction.  Amazing.  I think I need to find time to go and sit there and enjoy the bustle of muslim observance without worry of having to keep up with our ‘guide’ who seemed to be on a schedule.  We had a little free time afterwards so headed down to the Grand Bazaar.  This place is alright for one visit but I don’t think I will go back.  This is rip off merchant city.  Embroidered caps you can buy on a street stall for 3TL (AUD$2) they try to flog for 15TL (AUD$10).  They are quite hard headed too.  They will not come at a reasonable price, even though it is still more than elsewhere.  Stuff them.  Three times I’ve made them walk away from me so feel that is a victory in itself.  Viva La derriere entanche!!!