Istanbul (Not Constantinople)

We are on our last day in this city full of a wonderful mix of cultures. Istanbul is a transcontinental city, straddling the Bosphorus—one of the world's busiest waterways—in northwestern Turkey, between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. Its commercial and historical centre lies in Europe, while a third of its population lives in Asia. We were able to visit both European Turkey from Asian Turkey by taking a ferry across the Bosphorus, that blue ribbon of water separating the two sides for less than $4 round trip.

Istanbul is Turkey's largest city and is constantly reinventing itself in a bid to become Europe's new capital of cool. Istanbul's Past and Future is the story of transformation of modern in Turkey from the last days of the Ottoman Empire through to the fledgling days of the republic, the nation's early aspirations of modernity and the resulting clash between values. Every where you look you see women still dressed in traditional garb, modern clothes with head scarves, and a small minority in full black burkas. Men seem to manage most of the businesses but in many shops women also work. Cats and dogs wander every where while being fed and watered by everyone. It does appear that there is a neutering program as many dogs had ear tags indicating being neutered. Didn't see the same with the cats and saw many intact tom cats.

But the citizens of Istanbul are very friendly a welcoming. Yes, we tourists are a main source of income for the city but it all is a sincere warmth. Many times we got lost an someone would stop and help us find where we wanted wanted to go even if they did not speak much English. Dick got a haircut and shave (something every man should try when visiting) and the barber asked me if I would like some tea while I waited. The haircut and shave was also an interesting experience to watch. Not only did Dick's hair get cut but his ears were waxed to remove his "wisdom hairs" as well as taming his unruly eyebrows.

The transportation system is also modern and old. Modern light rail whisk commuters around the city while old tired looking but functional ferries transport you across the Bosphorus or up the Golden Horn. And it is very cheap to travel option for tourists.

We are now off to catch our tall ship and will stop in Troy on our way to Greece.