Leaving Istanbul

Today I said goodbye to a city I'd called home for the last six weeks. Although when I think about it, we spent only an average of about 3 nights a week at Koc and even less time in Istanbul proper. The rest of the time was spent traveling around Turkey in search of culture and history. We found plenty of both, along with a widened worldview and an appreciation for just how lucky we are to have the advantages we do as Americans.  

I spent my last day in Istanbul wandering the city on my own. Most of the people from my study abroad group had either left to fly back to the states or had met up with family to travel around, like Rachel and I are now about to do. It is very strange to find yourself riding the metro, navigating the narrow stalls of the grand bazaar, or walking the crowded streets of Istanbul alone after doing so with a big group of friends for the last six weeks.

(This mosque was only built in the 1600's, so it's called the "New Mosque")

I made a few last minute purchases at the spice bazaar (spices, tea, and the best Turkish delight I've ever tasted!), walked over the Golden Horn on the Galata Bridge, and got lost in the back streets of Karaoky on my way to Taksim. Had lunch at an outdoor cafe, and bought a couple souvenirs while on my farewell walk down the sea of humanity that is İstiklâl Caddesi.

                        (Picture of Galata Tower I snapped before crossing the bridge)

(Statue of Pope John Paul II, "Friend of the Turkish People," outside a Catholic Church in Taksim)

I stopped in a barbershop I'd noticed earlier in the weekend situated right outside one of the many exits of the grand bazaar. It was only wide enough to squeeze three barber's chairs inside between the barber's stations on one wall and a wooden waiting bench on the other. I knew the number 5 in Turkish, so I pointed to the clippers, said "besh," and then pointed to my head. He laughed (a common reaction whenever I try to speak Turkish for some reason) but evidently understood what I wanted. It was a uniquely Turkish haircut, complete with straight razor beard trim, a head dunk in a sink full of cold water (while the barber washed my beard for me?), and strangest of all, a trim of the fuzz along the outside of my ears with a lighter (only got burned once!).  An interesting experience, and also much needed; I'd been in turkey for 6 weeks without a haircut, which for me is unheard of. I could've done without the fire in my ear, but it's one of the many anecdotes I'll have from my stay here.

I had dinner at a rooftop fish restaurant that was, thankfully, uncrowded (eating by yourself at a restaurant in a foreign country is weird!). The view was incredible: to my right I could see the Sea of Marmara narrowing into the Bosphorus and the lights of Kadikoy behind, and to my left was the illuminated silhouette of Ayasofa, the dome and added minarets towering above every other building in sight. I had a a dark Turkish beer, lentil soup, and grilled fish that was just about as fresh as it gets. It was a perfect ending to a life changing trip. 

Now, on to my next adventures in Greece, the Czech Republic, and Ireland! 

( This post  was written on my last night in Turkey, it just didn't get posted until we were already in Greece due to spotty wifi at my hostel in Sultannhanet.)