If this first picture doesn't make you want to sing "feed the birds," then I don't know what to say to you.
How wonderful is this? The Spice Bazaar was originally called the Egyptian Bazaar because it was a place for Egyptian traders to do business when coming to Istanbul, and it still exists today... not only for spices and dried goods, but for the tourist trade (evil eyes and pashminas abound). And look - this one shop has an endorsement from Obama! (Not really, but it did get my attention, and 30 liras later, I was another American victim of great marketing). Next follows some pictures of Dolmabahce Palace from the water (see Kerry and me?), which dates from the 19th century and follows a western-European, Rococo/Baroque style of decor. Then it was on the the Grand Bazaar - which is truly grand, with somewhere between 5-6,000 shops under one roof! Move over, Congel!
This picture here is an example of right time-right place. These are college students protesting a %50 hike in their tuition for public schools. Ouch. They went right past our hotel and then staged a sit-in on the pedestrian street, blocking foot traffic and the tram. I gave them our full support!
Do you think that Obama knows that he's recommending a silk shop in Turkey?
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