Istanbul not Constantinople…

Istanbul was a short stop for me and basically involved two days of paying taxis to drive me between the Australian Consulate, Syrian Consulate and my hotel. I was staying in Mavi Guesthouse, which is really close to Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque as well as being cheap (and the people there so friendly!). It killed me I couldn’t go and look at all these marvellous things, but I will return (with Eirin in two months actually).

I did have time to look in the Grand Bazaar though – under the guise of looking for long loose clothes to wear in Syria. It is completely tourist orientated which was a bit disappointing because the only things you could buy were belly dancing costumes, carpets and really, really, really beautiful ceramic bowls/coasters. Which, of course, I couldn’t afford to buy (or carry). But it was a beautiful building and too easy to get lost in (in a good way!!).

Anyway in the end I only stayed 3 nights before I hopped on a bus to Damascus…