Taksim: If You Have to Walk, Do Not Go
İ went to see another part of İstanbul today called Taksim. The lost days due to rain (and me being allergic to it) has made me decide to spend all of my time in İstanbul. There´s plenty here to see and do so it´s not a total loss.
Anyhow, back to Taksim; İ rode the metro across the bridge into the northern part of the city to Kabataş, another one of their many neighborhoods. From there İ was told that İ could take another tram to Taksim which is at the top of a hill. This hill is really more of a small mountain, and İ know this because İ couldn´t find the tram and İ walked from Kabataş to Taksim. They were easily the steepest streets İ´ve ever had the mısfortune to walk.
There is supposed to be shopping and restaurants worth visiting, and maybe İ was a little upset already from the strenuous hike, but İ didn´t see anything worthwhile there. The sun was getting ready to set, İ had to find my way back to the tram, and İ knew how far İ still had to walk so İ was not a happy camper.
On a side note, it is really hard to find a place to use the toilet (or water closet - WC, as it´s referred to here) as most places to eat don´t have one. İ´ve only seen three gas statıons here and they don´t have them either. There are sporadic public restrooms, but only in tourist areas and they are very hard to find. İ only found out tonight from Angelo that all mosques have public restrooms. The point is that İ was really uncomfortable for quite some time until İ could get back to the guesthouse.
Once İ was feeling better, İ ran out to get something to eat (chicken soup, rice , and Efes beer). On the way back I grabbed two beers at the market to share with Angelo. This time İ tried Efes Dark and it was a little too strong for me - having a heavy chocolate-like taste.
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PS. İ was supposed to be able to upload more photos and even videos, but that feature isn´t working. İ swear it was working before İ left home. Sorry, but you only get one photo per posting and no videos...until İ get home.
Nov 03, 2009 02:41pm | Cre
OH SNAP! You know I would be in trouble if the bathrooms were that sparce! LOL! Water closet is a new name for us then huh? Hang in there B.I.L. Check ya later :)
Nov 03, 2009 06:12pm | Brian
Sounds like you're having fun. Amy and I would like to try one of the dark Efes and even a light one if we had the chance. (hint) Any kind of meat on a vertical stick works for me too. Aren't there any alleys that you can pee into?
Nov 03, 2009 10:24pm | Mom
Well, if you look on the bright side, you didn't mention anything about it raining, so I guess it could have been worse...maybe. I kind of like Brian's idea of peeing in an alley, but it'd be your luck someone would see you and you'd end up sitting in a foreign jail on some foreign trumped up charge for God knows how long. That aside, I'm glad you're getting to see things you otherwise would never get to see. And Angelo sounds like a really cool guy. Your time is almost up. Is there anything you wanted to see that you haven't been able to yet? If there is, run like crazy and get it all in and I'll be looking forward to seeing the pictures and videos when you get home. I miss you. Love, Mom
Nov 03, 2009 11:25pm | Megan and Joe
OMG the pics look awesome, it sounds like you are having a great time. Dont forget I collect postcards. If you think of it could you pick me up one, you dont have to mail or anything but that would be awesome to add to my collection. Hope your trip is safe