Incredible Turkish food

I really miss it...

It was so good!

Street food: roasted chestnuts and corn on the cob 

The pastries!!!

All Baklava 

Tea and an empty baklava plate

Coffee cart

Turkish coffee 

Street food morning and night 

The Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. It dates from the 1400s, and has more than 4000 shops in it covering an area of 9 acres! Another must see location in Istanbul.

The ever present Istanbul cats. So happy and well taken care of! You can see 4 of them hanging out at the book shop below.

An assortment of amazing teas.

The Galata Tower

These pictures are from our last full day in Istanbul. What an amazing place this is! It makes me feel that the world is so big, history is so deep, and we are so small...but all in a good way.

The beauty of trips such as this is that they give you a larger view, a wider perspective. You realize that truly, everything comes and goes. The most powerful people and states come and go. Problems come and go. Good times come and go.

The amazing thing is being able to step aside for a moment and appreciate it all, the flow of everything. To appreciate this amazing chance we have,  that is our life, to be part of it all.

To be a participant to this ever changing flow of things is wonderful, and to have others to share it with, including you my friends, is something I am grateful for.

This is Galata Tower, where the Genoese settled, across the Golden Horn from the old part of Istanbul. From it, you can see 360 degrees, all of Istanbul.

Galata Tower is in the background. The surrounding streets are lined with many cafés, restaurants and shops.

Up in the Galata Tower, with the Golden Horn, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque in the background.

Istiklal Caddesi, one of the most famous avenues in Istanbul. Pedestrians only except for the cute red tram.

This is the famous Pera Palace Hotel, where Agatha Christie stayed and wrote Murder on the Orient Express.

And a random picture of Turkish street food, which is everywhere, and which I love!!!

Topkapi Palace

This is Topkapi palace, where many sultans and their families lived, and where the Ottoman empire was ruled from. The Holy Relics of Islam are also housed here. Another incredible place.

And a few random pictures of Istanbul:

The girls at a little breakfast place on the side of the street.

I love Turkish tea!

Dinner one night 

Istanbul!!!

I can't believe I finally got to visit this amazing city. Istanbul and the Ottoman empire are very much intertwined with Romanian history. Our languages have many common words, our customs are related, many dishes are similar,  and growing up I always learned and heard about the Ottoman empire.

The history and culture of this place is incredible. Where else would you see roman, byzantine, ottoman, and western european cultures, among others, all coming together? The food is amazing. The tea and coffee, the sweets, wow!!!!

We are staying in the old town and so far have visited: The Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia; Topkapi palace; The Hypodrome; and The Blue Mosque. Really incredible!

I'm going to post some pictures from each, starting with the incredible Hagia Sophia.

Head coverings are mandatory for women inside.