Turns out the weather man changed his mond. Instead of last night’s perfect boating weather forecawst, this morning’s report was for clouds with a chance of rain. So we switched our plans and hit up the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market instead.
To put it simply, the Bazaar is overwhelming. The extreme crowds, pushy vendors and floor to ceiling products made for a sensory overload. The bazaar is a mini city in itself, with marked streets and distinct districts. We used our best bargaining skills and were able to successfully acquire brass pepper mills, plates, “designer” jeans, tea and an assorted box of Turkish Delight. We were ripped off at our lunch inside (who heard of a lunch cover charge?!), experienced Intense Turkish coffee (like sludge in an espresso cup), learned about carpets over apple tea (with a merchant who knew full well we weren’t potential customers), were called “stupid” by one disgruntled potential vendor, and headed over to the Spice Market. Overwhelming indeed.
Outside the bazaar
Inside the bazaar
Sipping the sludge, aka Turkish coffee. You had to specify that you wanted sugar in it when you ordered, as they cook the sugar into it.
Outside the market
Although even more crowded, the Spice Market was a breath of fresh air. The vendors were friendlier, offering samples of treats and easily accepting the fact that we were “just looking.”
The Spice Market was a bit more crowded.
Spices!
Turkish Delight
The Turks love Obama and Comic Sans
Essential Oils
Cheese in fur. We didn’t get any of this.
Outside the spice market, the shops continued. Like the other makrets we’ve been to across the world, there were distinct districts here. We passed through areas for clothing, belts, linens, pottery, guns, store fixtures and mannequins, buttons and fasteners, hunting gear, cookware, plants, and pets.
The crew in front of Hagia Sofia
We continued across teh Marmara Sea on a bridge filled with fishermen who were apparently catching bait fish among the trash and jellyfish below.
We opted to head back to the hotel at around 6:30, after 8.5 hours of pure walking. We are pooped!
Reading books on our rooftop balcony
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