This week a girl I know from my college came to Istanbul with her grandmother and her grandmother's friends. As nice as the women were, she wanted to see a bit more of the real Istanbul with someone her own age, especially since she had been on a boat with them for 7 days, sailing around the southern coast. I tagged along with them for a delicious lunch at the Yesil Ev and a tour of the Hagia Sophia which never ceases to amaze me; as some other friends said, it exemplifies the true meaning of 'awesome'.
The weather became rainy and overcast so it wasn't a great day to go exploring the places I wanted to go, so I mentioned going to a hamam, which she had been wanting to do. We didn't have our swimsuits or extra underwear so I made her get naked. At first it can be a little awkward but once you sit in the hot room and start pouring hot water over yourself, you forget about it. You really forget about it when a women starts scrubbing you and exfoliating you and you feel and see the bits of dirty old skin coming off of you. If you come to Istanbul, go to the Cagaloglu in Sultanahmet. It's a little overpriced but beautiful and historical. Her 50 something year old male friend came with us (well to the men's quarters). He felt so good afterwards he could hardly make complete sentences - so good...moved my leg like this...released tension...massaged knots...ohhhhhh. I took them to Istiklal Caddesi in Taksim, still slightly touristy but not like Sultanahmet. It's a long pedestrian street filled with shops, people, and restaurants, and if you aren't too busy people watching you can look at the lovely architecture.
Another night we met in Taksim to drink some beer "with the locals" on Nevizade street. It's filled with people drinking and eating mezes and fish and musicians wandering around - it's fun if you are in the mood. There was a man at the table next to us who had a group of 5 musicians surrounding him, and he was singing along with them. It was a funny sight, I tried to sneakily snap a picture.
Andrea and the tour guide, James from Art Tours located in England. He was quite knowledgeable and good at presenting information.
Another activity for me this week was with one of the Turkish teachers from my school, who lives about 2 minutes from me because she is a student in the area I live in, the same school Sinan is a student. She's from the Black Sea and for a month she's been telling me how she'll have me over for fried pickles, something traditional to eat for breakfast on the Black Sea. There was a bit of a mistranslation - I pictured us rolling actual pickles in batter and frying them, but what she was really saying was pickled fasulye (like big green beans). It was really good! Unfortunately it's not easy to make or buy the pickled fasulye but I'll keep my eyes open.
It's good to soak them in boiling water for a while to get rid of some of the salty, pickled flavor, then mix with corn meal and an egg.
Heat some olive oil, smoosh the beans into a pan, fry, and at some point flip it over.
Voila!
Zumra, the teacher, her fiance Faruk, and her "little" brother Furkan.
It really was a fun and delicious brunch, I hope we can do it again!
Ok one more activity then I'm finished! Last Sunday night there was a festival and concert on Bogazici's campus. It was nice - lots of people walking around and all of Sinan's roommates and his "other girlfriend's" family came (Ayse, Ashley, and Gokhan) - he and Ayse really get along, and she is absolutely darling. I've never seen so many strangers come up to a baby, grabbing her, pinching her etc.
From left to right, Ashley, Sinan with Ayse, Burcu (Baris's girlfriend), and Sinan's roommates - Baris, Umut, and Hamza.
She even has her arm around him! I'm so jealous.
Close your mouth Ayse!
Ayse with her daddy, Gokhan, a good friend of Sinan and I (grammar?)
Ok I'm sorry there's so much to read and look at! I know it might not all be very interesting for you but I really just like to document everything I do so in a few years I can remember all of this. No worries if you skim it or are not interested! Have a wonderful week!
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