To Be in Istanbul...

To be in Istanbul and not do the following would really be disappointing.

1. Aya Sofia and Blue Mosque
2. Cistern
3. Bosporous Tour
4. Turkish Bath
5. Topkai Palace
6. Grand Bazaar
7. Turkish coffee

Out of all of that, I must admit I did four. I was going to a Turkish bath the day that I got really ill. My intestinal infection (salmonella as some like to call it) really put a damper in my plans.

But, I don't regret anything. I got to live in the city. I got to experience and see the city on a daily basis. Something tourists do not get to do. They do the above mentioned list and leave with fantastic impressions. I learned about the culture, politics and the people in Istanbul. Something you do not get in a week long trip.

I am reflecting on my stay there right now and I don't regret not going inside the sites. I passed by them. Sat around them. So what if I didn't stare at every painting. I did all of that last year in Europe and this year I got to live in Europe.