Team Turkey ... Assemble!!! Day 4

1/8/2010

Today was a big day. Today was the first day we went to Asia.

N.B. (not everyone in Asia speaks Mandarin… that Chinese for you uncultured folk)

We met Şadi “the magnificent” at the metro station in Taksim. The metro that takes you to Kabataş (the ferry station) runs at a 45 degree angle downhill. This means that all the cars are terraced down to accommodate the slope. There is about a 4 foot difference between the front of the car and the back of the car.

NB: ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): If you are wheel chair bound in Turkey you’re screwed. Seriously everything is steep and has stairs. The fire escapes are spiral stair cases that are probably more dangerous than the fire. They look cool though.

We arrived at the ferry and went to the Asian side. At first we went by old universities that had buildings so massive that they left the viewer mesmerized and then saddened at their deteriorating conditions. But further into the Asian side we found that a lot of the area was extremely new and modern. It would remind one of a western European country, or urban form of LA with broad boulevards and tall spread out buildings. The Asian side has areas that are poorer and more religious, but many people prefer the amenities and life style that newer areas give. We drove back over the “first bridge” a massive suspension bridge that crosses the Bospherous to pick up “Team” member #3, Patrick Franke.

We picked pat up and drove back to the apartment and Sadi left.

NB: Sadi was the greatest person Will and I could ask for. He helped us so much in the last couple days we can’t even fit it all into print. Without his help we would still be stuck at the airport.

We then decided to go out for some dinner. We got Kebaps, Doner, and Pide, at a small restaurant. We also decided to get some “Ayran”. Ayran is a yogurt based local favorite. Ayran is the first thing Turkish that hasn’t been incredible. Between the three of us we took three sips. Will: “it tasted like salted, curdled, goats milk, frothed, and sipped though straw in chilled mug.” Supposedly, it is an acquired taste; we’ll try again in a month or so and report back.

We then went out to show Pat the town and discovered a few of many rooftop and upper floor bars that the city has to offer. These are usually cheaper, younger, less touristy, and play better music. Many have incredible views of the city. Getting up to these bars can be a bit tricky: old stair cases, back alleys, and in one case an elevator we didn’t know how to exit. We then sampled some Rakı to end the night.

NB: Rakı (pronounced ra-ku) is a black liquorish tasting spirit that you mix with water, similar to the Greek Ouzo. We all thoroughly enjoyed this fine Turkish custom.

-Lee (edited by the ever patient Will)

*special note concerning pictures* We have been having a few camera difficulties, dead batteries, full memory card ... etc. Be patient and we will soon have a flikr up with more pictures than you could ever want to see!