Day 3: tasty Istanbul, Türkiye

Yesterday was so relaxing that my sleep last night was horrible.  I tossed and turned from11pm to 7am. I honestly think that I was so restless because I was still so mad at myself for the taxi scamming. I tend to not let things go and beat myself up. I finally just got up because Colin was texting me.  He is going to bed as I am waking up. The 8 hour time difference is a bit difficult.

The weather is amazing.  I am already yawning at 9am!  Today I have booked the Istanbul Guided Street Food Tour Around European and Asian Sides.  I decided to give a taxi another go since my meeting point was too far to walk.  It is in fact true that you can book a taxi through Uber and are given a price range.  Oddly enough the only cars you can get through Uber are taxis. Yusuf was prompt, friendly, and didn’t screw me over!  My faith has been restored a little bit but the sting from being scammed is still too fresh.  I was super early so did a bit of roaming around the Egyptian Bazaar and Spice Market before the tour started.  So many smells and colors! 

I have always wanted to live in a place that has open air markets but the flip side is I do not like the hustle of big cities.  I found Önder our tour guide exactly where he said he would be and was joined by five other lady travelers.  I really do appreciate when tour guides give very specific directions and a bonus if they include a photo of the meeting point!  It really does help when you don’t speak the language.  And off we went for our food tour.  We started with a traditional Turkish breakfast!  I ate a lot and this was our first stop.  Guess how many teas I had?

I tried to not drink much, because I had no idea what the restroom situation would be . . . I know at least 4 teas at the first stop; they are very small!  We then walked to the ferry to head over to the Asia side of Türkiye.  

What?  I do not remember learning that Türkiye is on two continents . . . anyway it was a quick 20 minute ride where we will continue to eat.  We had some Turkish Coffee which was interesting . . . the coffee is ground so fine it is powdery, mixed with room temperature water, and heated over coals.  The power is suppose to dissolve and settle to the bottom, but apparently I got the last bit on the pot and it was gritty.

And then we started eating things that were unknown to me . . . I am pretty sure this was the lining of some animal's stomach wrapped around some meat and roasted with red pepper on bread.  It's better not to ask but it was okay!  They guy was super nice. 

We stopped at a deli like place which was yummy!  Oh olives!  So many and all so good

At this point, I am just eating!  I have forgotten what but it was good.

A salty yogurt drink that I hated; I only took two sips and said nope!

We had mussels three ways . . . I forced them down.  Not horrible but  . . .

Now we are talking!  This was yummy and that yogurt was amazing!

Thankfully we had to walk back to catch the ferry to Europe because I was stuffed!

And if you think we are finished eating you would be wrong; fish wrap . . . ugh!

Oh but now we are talking with sweet food!

We ate from 1030am to 430pm, and they sent home with a nice box of sweet treats!

Since I had eaten so much food, I decided to walk back to the hotel.  I was regretting my decision after I realized the path was a very steep uphill climb.  I am glad I got back out there and am leaving with a positive experience from Istanbul.  I did not spend a cent on food while in Istanbul other than the food tour.  The food tour was great!  I visited a new continent today too!  Needless to say, I did not go to the lounge tonight for drinks and snacks!