Obligatory Tourist Spots

Today all of the international students were bused downtown to see some amazing sights. We toured the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofia, Basilica Cisterns, and the Grand Bazaar. We had a meatball lunch (they're more mini kababs then round American meatballs but they're also 10x delicious!) and were able to walk around Ortakoy - a town on the European side of the Bosphorus. All of these places were so strikingly beautiful; it's almost impossible to explain the way you feel among such monuments.

Istanbul, as I'm sure is true in many other old cities, is a striking cross between old and new. Modern taksis (Turkish spelling) zip past 1000 year old buildings as if they weren't there. The integration of classic monuments with modern culture though has it's downfalls. Many of the ruins go unnoticed or get built upon. Speaking with a few of other people on my program, we were a bit taken aback by the apparent disregard but also realize the needs of a 15+ million population.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the Grand Bazaar. Each stall looks like it's been built within the last 5 years but it is in a building that is obviously much older and very well decorated. The merchants were also not as aggressive as I've been told. Maybe it helps that I didn't go into any stores or encourage any conversation but I was primarily amused by their efforts, not uncomfortable. The merchandise though, absolutely amazing - serious sensory overload. And I think I only saw a quarter of what there is!

Food the past few days has been very interesting. We went last night to Rumelifeneri for a fish dinner. Rumelifeneri is right on the tip of the (Euro) Bosphorus and the Black Sea. There I had Hamsi - an anchovy-size fish unique to the Black sea. This "delicacy" was grilled and came on a skewer maybe 20 in a row. You eat the ENTIRE fish - bones, head and all. It was a bit crunchy and strange to be eating but overall, very tasty. I also had today meatballs as I mentioned, and with it a popular drink called Ayran. Basically, it's very salty yogurt - not my favorite thing. But, I've also had amazing deserts! Many are similar to those popular in the Arab world such as the Turkish version of Knafe, Sahleb, and Halva. But there is definitely much variety. For example, I've already tried 4 different kinds of halva and each one tastes nothing like the others! Today they served us something I didn't recognize - like a wheat base sweetened with honey. But it was also amazing. This trip is definitely helping me be more open-minded with food. I think I've even tried eggplant. Beets however, I think I'll still try and stay away from...