TOURING AROUND

So yesterday - Yrfan came to get me here at the hotel at 11am. We took the motorcycle to Galata Tower for a great panoramic view of the city.
Then we went to Topkapi and wandered through this amazing layout of buildings and gardens. They had a bunch of bowls and platters on display from the Ming and Qing dynasties - i really enjoyed seeing all the variances. I took a picture of some really beautiful pink bowls - they were so unusual surrounded by all the blue and white china!
It was individual pricing for the palace and the Harem. I considered getting an audio guide but didn't want to be rude! I think I would if I chose to go back. It took awhile to wander around the whole place - really tiring. I took a ton of pictures and alot of pics of ceilings! I won't know which ceiling came from where! Oh well - i really enjoyed the tiles on all the walls and all the different combinations of walls, ceilings, etc.

The Turks have the option to buy a Museum pass per year that allows them go to all museums for free or discounts of some kind. NICE option.
The entrance fees were about 10TRY about $8.

After Topkapi Yrfan took me to Eminonu, for some Balak Ekmek with Tushu - I doubt that's how you spell it but it's how i remember how to say it! WHAT IS THAT? It's this typical fish inside bread with a side of pickled pickles and cabbage. Right there on the water there are these funny boats with men frying what looks like Mackerel putting it inside very large bread with lettuce and onions. You buy this for 4 TRY. There are people all over this area as it is the sea bus/ferry port area and so there are these little tables and stools and you pile in there inhale your Balak Ekmek and then you leave and they wipe off your table and pile the next one in. It was interesting. Not bad - although i burped and smelled of fish for hours afterwards!

Last night there was a milonga in the hotel we're staying at - this was fun - didn't have to leave the hotel - i like things like this!!! Anyway - it seems pretty well attended. Ran into more people I knew and danced with someone from Sweden and Madrid.... Tango is so international!!!

Today i think there is more adventures around town and possibly a milonga at TangoJean....

I have had many impressions and I think my analytical brain is trying to make sense of certain things. I'm also just allowing ideas to come and go and not hang onto them for too long...