The Mall to end all Malls...

As you know, Turkey and Istanbul are full of historical sites, many of Biblical importance. Paul the Apostle spent a great deal of time in Turkey. Some chapters in the bible are named after cities in Turkey: Ephesus, and Galacia are two, Cappadocia is also in Turkey. The Blue Mosque, Church of Sophia, and Topkapia Palace plus a myriad of other historical buildings are located in Istanbul itself. All 'must sees' for tourists.

The ship came in around 11 AM, and we were soon free to explore or go on ship's tours. We have been here before and decided weeks ago to explore on our own, and Cutlers were on a tour of their own. For some reason Moe did not book a tour here. So, in spite of all the great historical, biblical and magnificent monuments available to us three, we decided to go to the Grand Bazaar for the afternoon. [This is Saturday and the Bazaar is shut on Sundays.] 


The Grand Bazaar was opened in 1461, that was 31 years before Columbus bumped into North America. We poor Amsterdamians have no chance at all in bargaining with merchants that have 547 years of marketing experience in their veins. The Bazaar is one of the major tourist sites in all of Turkey. Not for shopping but for the "experience'. Granted, after you have wandered through and got lost in labyrinth of arcades and hallways for an hour or so you have about had it.




The Turks are not quite as bad as the Egyptians in the 'hassle factor' scale. If you genuinely say you are just looking, they are polite and let you 'just look'. However if you gaze too long or heaven forbid, pick something up you suddenly have a Siamese twin attached to you. The range of goods ranges from 50c trinkets to $20,000 carpets fit for a Palace.






Turks and Europeans smoke. The lingering tobacco smoke gets to you after a while and one needs some fresh air. The areas outside the covered bazaar, in all directions is an interesting place to browse and wander as well. Eventually your mind  can no longer absorb the goods on display, and you sort of shut down and want a respite. The problem is how do you find a quiet place? Answer, there is none. The journey back to the ship seems to take forever. There are so many Mosques, Churches, Synagogues and other tourist sites to see on the way back it all becomes a blur.


So, that was our first afternoon in Istanbul. A leisurely dinner, then, believe it or not a movie then to bed. The place went on daylight saving time so we put our clocks FORWARD one hour.