After our boat cruise and lunch we returned to the hotel to check in and have a short nap. In the late afternoon we went to the Galata bridge which crosses the Golden Horn. As this was the Eid holiday the place was very crowded. This is a view from the bridge looking back at the square.This next picture is the underground walkway of the bridge. This was lined on each side with vendors selling all kinds of things and it was extremely crowded. We returned later in the week and there was almost no one there. The bridge was lined with fisherman, some with more than one pole in the water. We never saw anyone catch anything here, but it was fun to watch. The lower level of the bridge was lined with restaurants and again on this day was packed with people. At one of the restaurants we passed people were picking out their main dish right from a cart. Up on the square people were walking round eating all kinds of street food. There were even boats that were cooking and serving right along the shore. We never did figure what this was but we say a lot of them. It seems to be something you drink. We opted not to try any though. There were vendors selling roasted corn. Mike tried that and it wasn't very good. We also saw carts selling chestnuts, pretzel like bread and even these mussels. Here is a view of the city from the bridge. The place was so packed with people and there was trash everywhere. We thought it was a very dirty place at first. Then we went to this restaurant for dinner. When we came out, the people were mostly gone and the street cleaners had swept up all the trash and even washed the square and the street. It was truly amazing. Istanbul was not the dirty middle eastern city we expected, but a very modern European style city. There was beautiful landscaping and trees everywhere. Although it is 99% Muslim the government is secular and freedom of religion is guaranteed. There is a strong military, the laws are enforced, and the people are very nice and hospitable.
This next picture is the underground walkway of the bridge. This was lined on each side with vendors selling all kinds of things and it was extremely crowded. We returned later in the week and there was almost no one there.
The bridge was lined with fisherman, some with more than one pole in the water. We never saw anyone catch anything here, but it was fun to watch.
The lower level of the bridge was lined with restaurants and again on this day was packed with people.
At one of the restaurants we passed people were picking out their main dish right from a cart.
Up on the square people were walking round eating all kinds of street food. There were even boats that were cooking and serving right along the shore.
We never did figure what this was but we say a lot of them. It seems to be something you drink. We opted not to try any though.
There were vendors selling roasted corn. Mike tried that and it wasn't very good.
We also saw carts selling chestnuts, pretzel like bread and even these mussels.
Here is a view of the city from the bridge.
The place was so packed with people and there was trash everywhere. We thought it was a very dirty place at first. Then we went to this restaurant for dinner. When we came out, the people were mostly gone and the street cleaners had swept up all the trash and even washed the square and the street. It was truly amazing.
Istanbul was not the dirty middle eastern city we expected, but a very modern European style city. There was beautiful landscaping and trees everywhere. Although it is 99% Muslim the government is secular and freedom of religion is guaranteed. There is a strong military, the laws are enforced, and the people are very nice and hospitable.
1 comment:
Loving all the pictures! Cant wait for safari pics!
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