Finally some fun stuff! These are some pictures I’ve taken since arriving, some just with my iPhone, others with a proper camera. I didn’t bring the right lens out with me today, so I wasn’t able to capture as much as I’d have liked, but I’m feeling more comfortable now with getting around and being alone, so I’m expecting to be spending much more time behind the lens! To view these, I’d advise clicking on the first image and then scrolling through the slideshow to read the captions. Enjoy!

Sunrise over Europe.

Seaside çay. (Pronounced “chai”. Turkish for tea.)

Due to a lot of construction around Taksim Square, some buses have been rerouted. The one I take from Yagmur’s apartment goes around the back, with views of old buildings and construction. This is the Taksim stop.

Once the bus moves on, turn around to find some major hotels and touristy restaurants. The staff at this Ramada has helped me quite a bit during this week!

Walk down a few streets and the construction opens up. Just a block or so until Taksim.

This is Gezi park, a nice spot of green in the city. Today is one of three Turkish Independence Days, which is recognized as a national holiday. A lot of people had the day off, and there were various little celebrations all over the city.

Follow the signs!

Gezi Park.

Gezi Park.

The front of the Atatürk Cultural Center, decorated with the esteemed Atatürk himself. This building faces in towards Taksim Square.

Kitchenette, a LOCALLY RECOMMENDED restaurant in the Marmara Hotel at Taksim Square. It was indeed bustling and delicious.

I ordered a lemonade, and it came promptly and so fresh I puckered with every sip!

The menu didn’t have anything in the way of local Turkish cuisine, so I ordered probably one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever had anywhere… Cheese ravioli with fresh thyme and walnuts in a white wine cream sauce. Oh my god. It was fantastic.

Stepped outside, full and happy, and saw some tour buses circling the square.

So I bought a ticket!

The Republic Monument.

A view from one end of the square. To the left are several food stands famous for the “wet” hamburger.

Turkish pride is all over this city!

Inonu Stadium.

A grand vista.

Preparing to cross the Atatürk Bridge, one of three that crosses the Golden Horn and connects New Istanbul to Old.

The neighboring Galata Bridge.

A beautiful day on the Golden Horn.

The old Galata Bridge, which was ruined in a fire in 1992. The new one opened in 2003.

A mini-theme park, which I’ll definitely be keeping in mind!

More Turkish pride!

Another Independence Day celebration.

Passing around the Pierre Loti Cafe, which sits atop a hill overlooking the Golden Horn. It’s named after a writer who penned two books about his time in Istanbul.

The tram up to the Pierre Loti Cafe.

There are lots of cemeteries in this part of the city. Beautiful and old.

The metropolis booms!

Minarets of the Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque).

Flowers everywhere in celebration of Istanbul’s 8th annual Tulip Festival.

The grounds around the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.

Hagia Sophia.

After a long time on the bus, I decided to take a walk around the streets of Sultanahmet, with myriad shops and cafes. It was very cozy and beautiful – this is Europe, after all!

Lots of cafes had staff waiting in the street to win your patronage with menus and Turkish charm. I smiled and passed most of them by, but one gentleman managed to pull me into a conversation. He said I was so nice (most people never spoke to him, he said) that he insisted I sit down for some apple tea. “How much?” I asked. “For nothing!” he insisted. “Please do not say no.” The cups kept coming, and he also gave me a carnation for my “kindness”.

He saw my camera and hammed it up.

Probably my fourth cup of apple tea. Properly brewed, it’s made with dried apples and spices. In my case, flavored crystals that dissolve in hot water. Still delicious. Probably a new favorite drink!

I decided to order some food, and was brought some freshly baked pita (the air inside makes it look like a loaf, but just a little rip will send it collapsing) with tzatziki and spiced veggies.

Courtesy of Yakup.

My order, a Turkish pide (a version of pizza on a pita) with cheese and Turkish pepperoni. Superb!

A dinner guest. Stray cats here are easily seen on every street, but they never appear to be wanting for nourishment or attention.

Pide and Çay.

Some friendly graffiti.