July 30 Back in Istanbul

 Wonderful being back in Istanbul again. Today we wandered. It was not without purpose as we were interested to get information about getting to the Black Sea, but we poked our noses into old and new places. As we have a number of times before, we ended up at the harbour and had a fish sandwich on the Galata Bridge.  I love the energy of the whole waterfront area plus the New Mosque and Spice Bazaar. 

The waiting line to get in to see the Basilica Cistern snaked around the corner.

Water fountains dot the streets but I'm not game to drink the water.

Eating fish sandwiches in Galata Bridge looking towards the current fish boat restaurants

This is how we bought fish sandwiches in 1984 - from the boat.

Huge shopping arcade in the passage under the road

Misir Carsisi, the spice bazaar which was opened in 1664

New Mosque finished in 1663. No wonder that step is so worn (red circle)

Sirkeci Terminal opened in 1890

This was the end of the line for the Orient Express which started from Paris in 1883 with forty passengers on board (before this station had been completed); the round trip lasted 7 days. The kids and I arrived at this station from Venice in 1984. Last time we were in Istanbul the station was closed for long distance trains so Lundsay and I had to be bussed out of Istanbul to catch the train to Bucharest.  

Today a bustling train station

The trams take up the entire road here. You've got to keep your ears open.

You never know what's behind high walls - we peered through a grill because I am curious

Wandering back to the hotel I found an opening in a high wall and looked through. Voila. It was the site of the Aydinglu Dervish Convent built in 1509. It was demolished in 1958 and today houses a shrine, fountain and sepulcher. A tranquil little spot on a busy road.