Istanbul, day two
Our second day in Istanbul was as good as the first. Today started with shopping at the Grand Bazaar, a market that has been going since 1461. It was absolutely massive, and impossible to keep track of where you were or where you’d been. Turkish rugs, beautiful lamps, and on and on. Then the Spice Market, and lots of streetside markets in between the two. We picked up some amazing Turkish souveniers (so much for traveling light with just backpacks)…
In the afternoon we did a traditional Turkish Bath. Think spa treatment and massage…but with a large and aggressive Turkish man scrubbing you with a lufa and beating you to within an inch of your life. I can’t say it was a relaxing experience, but it was an experience. Jodi said she loved it. The setting was amazing though, this bath opened in 1741 and has operated continuously ever since.
At night we walked along the popular tourist street, had dinner, and headed to bed. Tomorrow is a travel day. Off to Dacca, Bangladesh for a long layover and then on to Bangkok!