Istanbul - Day 3

It was going to be a shopping trip from the outset. The torch I'd bought the day before had the lightbulb blow within 5 seconds of use and I realised that I no longer owned a pair of plastic shower slippers.

Thought I'd try the grand bazar. Well, it's just a tourist trap. The atmosphere is strangely similar to Kabuki-cho at 12pm - dudes in black coats pimping their wares. But despite that, it is pretty to look at. Was feeling like a cup of tea, so I let a carpet dealer molest me for half an hour. He showed me some lovely sumak from the Van area. Turns out that the animal designs upon some sumak are linked with the story of Noah's arc. It is believed that the Ark's final resting place is Mt. Ararat.

The streets around the bazar were a lot more interesting than the bazar itself. This is where most of Istanbul goes to shop - dozens of narrow streets packed with shops, still ordered in medieval fashion (underwear in one quarter, jewellry in another). Finding the lightbulb was no problem. A nice old man in a decrepid little shop fished one out ın 5 seconds. The slippers took the whole day. Finally, found bought a nice light pair off a Kurdish dude. Every second dealer of this or the other that I've met in Istanbul is Kurdish. Must be an economically desperate area.

In the meanwhile I visited the three lovliest mosques in the city. I love the Ottoman style courtyards... great places for people watching.