We arrived in Istanbul a little late and parked out on the tarmac and everyone had to be bused to the airport terminal and security after a 30 minute delay. We paid $20 each to get a visa to enter the country and then through passport control for another wait. We then had to wait to get our luggage which took quite sometime. As usual we stopped at the first ATM and took some Turkish Lira out. It is roughly 1.87 Lira to the dollar now.
We did not realize it but there is some sort of strike going on here which created the baggage delay according to our guide, Mehmet. I was interviewed by this young lady to get my impressions of the delays. I don't think I gave her the story she wanted as the delays were tolerable. She is studying at Amherst in the US.
Mehmet, met us and escorted us to a private bus with driver to our hotel within the old city wall that made up Constantinople. The hotel is called Hotel Daphne http://www.hoteldaphne.com/ We have a great view of the Bosphorus and we are close by to all the old sights.
We freshened up a bit and then took a long scenic walk through the old city led by Carl and Leslie. Lots of narrow cobblestoned streets with many a hill to climb. Vendors were out hustling their goods, especially the restaurants. We picked up a few street snacks along the way to hold us over like Turkish Simit (sesame seasoned bread similar to a soft pretzel) and Belinda, following Margarets lead, tried corn on the cob.
both of these views are from our hotel window
We got back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner which we enjoyed on the rooftop of our hotel at 6:30. Dinner and company was fabulous. We met the remaining 2 members of our group Frank and Jean.
It was a little chilly so they needed to retract the glass panels. Leslie selected a number of mezes (small plates like tapas). Then we each ordered an individual entree. We then headed off to bed at 9:30 so we could get a good night sleep for the day ahead.
