A real change

After a day of driving and 3 unnecessary police stops we arrived somewhere new.

We were greeted by a mix of different cultures and a back drop off mosques. The stench of spices and street side cooking hitting the back of your nostrils, the vibrance of colours intensifies, the call of the Adhan ringing through the streets, thickening crowds and the constant interruptions by locals trying to sell their wares for the best price ever seen. Must mean we have made it to Istanbul and into Asia!

We wandered around the grand bazaar and through the crowds at the spice market. We wandered across the Bosporus to Asia and then back to Europe to see the royal palace and the blue mosque and Ayasofya. We also went to the ballistic cisterns and had a Turkish hamam (spa/massage - which really was an experience!). And, we saw Andy Murray win Wimbledon!!

This next bit has no word of a lie in it. I promise.

I have been growing a traveling beard and the other day I was getting irritated by the wispy bits tickling my nose so I decided to wait until Turkey for a cut-throat shave. Fine, no problems so far. So Chris and I found a barber and after haggling an impressive discount I started having the shave. Lots of foam, and the beard was cut off. Still fine. Then the barber, who I had been impressed with so far, hit me round the face several times with a flaming stick. He then stick the flaming end into each ear and then threw water over my head. He then squirted lemon juice stuff all over my face leaving it stinging and then said 'finished' and put his hand out expecting money. Now, I realise I entered into the barbers expecting a traditional Turkish shave but I definitely did not expect that. So i paid and left quickly. It does feel very nice and smooth though.

Food has been kebabs and baklawa and other random bits and pieces and Efes and Turkish tea to drink but nothing too out of the ordinary so all's good. Off further into Turkey tomorrow...

Flaming stick!

Ayasofya

Cistern

A quick little thunder storm

P.S. although there were riots going on, with water cannons, riot police and tear gas, they weren't massively close. It just meant we couldn't go to a bit of the city. Which was a shame because apparently there is a great live rock pub there!