Today was set aside to visit the heart and atmosphere of this city of around 15 million people. I have always been one to enjoy the local customs and food of the locals. However, I absolutely refuse to shop in places that do not display the cost of their merchandise. Today was no exception.
We met at my hotel lobby at 1030, and took the Metro tram to the end of its line, then walked about 15 minutes to the Egyptian Market. This is the largest and most famous in this city. Of the hundreds of shops, very few display prices. My friend speaks English and Arabic. There were several items that she would like to have. I was wearing my baseball style cap with Canada on the front. When we asked the price of an item, we were quoted one that even a child would know was greatly inflated. At one shop, my friend asked in English..."what do you take me for...a fool?" .The response was,.. "no, you are a tourist". When she informed him that we lived in Istanbul, he cut the price in more than half, but we walked away. In many places, we were offered tea or a Turkish Delight candy....another lure to get you feeling guilty to buy something that is overpriced.
From the market area we took another tram to the area of the world famous Blue Mosque. This place was crowded with people,...most waiting in lines to go into the Mosque. It was completely covered with material to protect tourists as it was under major repairs. We only got into one small area. After a bite to eat, and touring the area on foot, we took the tram back to the end of its line.
From the tram station, we walked to a taxi area, to go to the east end of the Metro line home. The car that stopped said he was Uber, (no taxi sign), and took a Swiss lady and the three of us on our way...or so we thought. He immediately took a right turn over a bridge, and when I told him it was the wrong way, he apologized, said he would make a turn and come back. Both ladies, speaking Arabic started to argue with him.. About 15 kilometers later we got out, gave him a few Lira, took his license number and left. On one stretch of highway, we saw a taxi with a roller- blade rider behind, holding onto the car trunk...crazy or what.
MOST OF THE PEOPLE HERE ARE VERY FRIENDLY, COURTIOUS AND HELPFUL TO STRANGERS. THOSE NOTED HERE ARE THE EXCEPTION..
That was one day in our tour of Istanbul. About 30 more to go. Have a great day....where ever you are.
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