Friday, May 2, 2014
Day One - Istanbul
Hello!
This is our second post of the day, as I had just about
enough energy to write about getting here, and then collapse into a puddle for
a few hours of much needed sleep! So…to
write about today!
I remember falling asleep around 10 p.m. last night, and not
much more until 7 a.m. this morning. I
believe that I must have slept through the first call to prayer (and with the
Blue Mosque so close, it is hard to miss!) but WWIII could have started last night,
and I wouldn’t have heard a thing. 
We were down to breakfast at 8 a.m., and it was very
nice! They had a large assortment of
breakfast things laid out – cheeses, meats, tomatoes, huge really red
strawberries (we seem to get them fairly white in the center in Tucson), cake,
breads and all kinds of jams and jellies.
Additionally, they have a chef there making omelets to order! The feta cheese they had was really wonderful,
and we both enjoyed our meal!
Then, back upstairs to get assembled for our trip to the
Archeological Museum, which opened at 9 a.m.
Lovely morning for a walk!!
After last night’s rain, it was nice and fresh outside, with lots of
sunshine. We walked through a beautiful
park with stunning fountain. One thing
that we must keep reminding ourselves of is to pay attention to where we walk,
as the sidewalks fairly uneven in places, and lots of rather hidden steps and
cobblestones. As Robert says: “Do NOT
walk and try to read the map at the same time!”
[It’s too much like walking while looking through a camera and we all
know what that led to. R]
We got to the Archeological
Museum a few minutes after 9, but there were only a few people in line, so
got right in; also picked up audioguides for two.
The museum is actually in three separate buildings: the Museum
of the Ancient Orient, the Tiled
Kiosk Museum, and the new and old buildings of the Archeological Museum.
Obviously, we headed to the Ancient Orient first – and got our first
look at what we hope will be the first of the Hittite ruins!
Lovely displays – and everything was presented in two
languages – Turkish and English!
YEA! The audio guides were
excellent, although a bit uncomfortable to keep almost perched upon one
ear. Saw some of our old friends, the
colored blue and green glazed bricks with lions. Also saw one of three remaining copies of the
original treat of Kadesh – known as the world’s first peace agreement, between
Ramses II of Egypt and Hattusili I, of the Hittites. (And FYI, in spite of Ramses II’s claims, the
Hittites really won that battle!!)
Spent about an hour there, and then headed across to the
Archeological Museum itself. We decided
we were in need of a sit-down, so stopped in the lovely little café in the
garden for a Coke Zero and a rest. I am
definitely glad we spent so much time there on our last visit to Istanbul four
years ago, as great wadges of it are now closed off for renovation. Although always happy to see money being
spent to upgrade museum facilities, wherever they may be!
The Archeological
Museum has a very large collection of sarcophagi from the Royal Necropolis
at Sidon, and these were really stunning.
Other floors contained the museum’s collection of Greek and Roman era
finds, as well as a floor devoted to Troia (Troy) and the area around the
Troia.
One interesting thing – when we were here last, I remembered
walking up a staircase and looking over the banister at the top. Down on the floor below were large tables and
shelves containing PIECES of all sorts of artifacts! It would have seemed like doing a gigantic
jigsaw puzzle, and I loved looking at it!
Now, however, pull-out screens have been put over the tops – but I
really liked seeing all the pieces! Oh
well!
The third museum, the Tiled
Kiosk, was originally built as part of the Topkapi Palace, and now displays
different types of tile from all over Turkey, through the centuries. I actually enjoyed seeing the building itself
more than the tile collection, as there were lots of interesting built-in
niches along the walls of the various rooms; have to admit, I do like
tile! (We have already had the “no more
tile” discussion, as we are just about out of wall space and we have some
beautiful tiles from our trip two years ago…hmmm…)
Very nice gift shop in the garden, where I picked up two
more books on the Hittites, one with lots of photos. I’m hoping they will help us as we hunt for
Hittite ruins across Turkey! (Some of
the maps and signage leave a bit to be desired!)
We walked out of the museum entry point, to find that the
line for tickets has stretched a really long way along the road! I’m thinking that these folks may have
limited time in Istanbul, and first went to Topkapi Palace, right next door,
and then to the museum. At any rate, SO
glad we didn’t have to go through that!
Continued down the hill, where we hit a cash point (Deniz
Bank) and got some jetons (tokens) to use on the tram system (3 TL each), about
$1.50. Followed the road around and
toward the area we stayed in on our first trip here. Saw the Oriental Express hotel, where we had
stayed. While that was a very nice
hotel, we really love the Seraglio – and especially the balcony! Found a nice drugstore to pick up some of the
things we didn’t want to schlep – extra shampoo, full tube of toothpaste and
hand cream. Got on the tram at Sirkecki (near the train
station where the famous Orient Express used to come into!) – it was absolutely
PACKED— and headed back up the hill two stops to Sultanamet, and walked back to
hotel to drop off our new books and drugstore purchases and drop off jackets,
as it is really lovely weather! I also
went down to the front desk and asked the nice person there to call our rental
car company to reconfirm for us that we would be met at the Kadicoy ferry
tomorrow morning when we go to pick up the car.
They say all is well…time we tell!
Now time for lunch!
We headed in the same direction as last night – left, and then left, and
found the Ala Des Amis Restaurant. We
sat outside on the patio; lovely breeze and very comfortable. We decided to share lunch, ordering humus,
(which came with a just-baked and puffed up huge pita bread!), garlic mushrooms
and a vegetable stuffed eggplant dish.
…oh, and a half-carafe of local white wine. Everything was absolutely delicious, and we
enjoyed it very much! Then, we
hightailed it back to the hotel (true confessions: We did pick up a Magnum Classic ice cream bar
for me along the way!) and NAPS! (Still
trying to make-up the sleep bank!)
Robert discovered at this point that we had not packed the battery
charger for the camera, so with directions from the ever-helpful front desk, he
made his way back toward the train station and an area heavy with camera and
electronics shops. I went to sleep;
approximately 3:15 p.m.
I do remember Robert saying, upon his return, that he had
had to bargain for the charger, but he has gotten a good price on it … although
I have told him that if, when I repack for us tonight, I come across the
original charger, he will be in deep yogurt!
[addendum: Margaret just reorganized
our gear and did not find the missing
charger. R] Back to naps for both of
us!
The alarm went off around 6 p.m. so I am up, although R
still asleep. I do need to start getting
us assembled for our departure tomorrow.
(Our goal is the 9:10 a.m. ferry.)
More later, once we have had dinner. That should mean that we are all caught up on
the blog, which is always a good feeling!
More later!
m
xxx
Hello, again!
Just back from a lovely dinner! Not too far down the street – the Cistern Café
(unattractive sounding name, unless you know about the ancient cistern here in
Istanbul, which is lovely!)
I wasn’t too terribly hungry, but out we went about 8
p.m. The Cistern Café was very nice;
their food and wine were excellent! They
provided the starter – triangles of cut-up pita bread with two dips – one of
melted feta cheese and herbs, and the second, a red salsa-like dip. Both were terrific!
For dinner, Robert (the Brave) ordered their fresh
bream. I ordered their vegetable
casserole. Can’t even remember the last
day I went without meat, but today it is!
Robert’s bream was, of course, served in its entirety. How he can manage to de-bone that thing is
WAY beyond me! His meal came with rice,
potato and raw veggies – cucumber, red pepper and carrots. My veggie casserole was excellent – and contained,
aubergine (eggplant), zucchini, carrot, mushrooms and beans; cheese sauce on
top. Washed everything down with red and
white wines; no dessert, as we were very full!
Our only difficulty was to get everything to fit on our very small table
for two! Quite a challenge, that’s for
sure – ended up putting our bottled water on the table next door. A group of 9 Spanish ladies came in as we
were finishing, and wanted Robert the Photographer to take their picture. He managed quite well, considering how many
fussy ladies he was dealing with!
Out the door and then back to the hotel. Sleep needed, especially for me! Tomorrow is our “moving day” – picking up the
car, etc. and then on to Kutahya, the ceramic capital of Turkey!
m
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