Another great day in Istanbul. On balance, I think I would rate it at the top of my city list so far. Absolutely buzzing!! Took a tour bus round the Golden Horn, had coffee and Baklava in Sultanmeht, haggled for tea shirts in the Grand Bazar, checked out the Egyptian Spice Market (which is actually a general market these days), ate fresh fish sandwiches for lunch on banks of the Bosphorus, and treated myself to a new pair of shoes!! Handmade leather - £30!! I have to say the Spice Market experience was fabulous!! I've quite taken to the people here. Friendly, fun, impetuous, nosey, ridiculously impatient and very excitable! Minor skirmishes explode into major shouting matches in an instant. Great to watch and up to now all bluster! A city, if not a nation, of traders!! And by God they're good at it. If only they could drive as well.
Hope you enjoy the pics. I should explain that the first one is with a group of young people who'sent role is to give advice to tourists. They can be found all over Istanbul. All youngsters participating in the scheme wear t-shirts with 'ask me' on the front. They were great kids and great ambassadors for Turkey, and the picture was at their request. When we talked to them about their role, we learned that all participants are volunteers and give up their time free of charge. When we asked them why they did it their collective response was 'for our city and country'!!!
G x
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