Turkey felt like Europe to me. Coming over the border from Syria I felt like I was already back. I didn't see much of the east of the country and I really should do that in the future. I spent almost two weeks in and around Istanbul in December 2008 and January 2009. My first impression was that it's a fairy tale city. The seagulls skimming over the waves of the Bosporus, the golden winter sun reflecting off the Blue Mosque. It's a city with a wonderful variety of public transportation and real metal tokens to use in them. Its a place with the real pulse of a big city. It had fancy shops nearby old women chopping wood to keep warm. It's a place I'd like to spend more time in.

Map of Turkey

Tram in Istanbul. December 2008.

Sign for the Istanbul Metro. The system is very good. With many types of transport. And metal tokens! December 2008.

Trolly in Istanbul. December 2008.

Funicular in Istanbul. December 2008.

Inside a tram in Istanbul. December 2008.

Mosque in Istanbul. December 2008.

Me near the Blue Mosque. December 2008.

Haga Sophia. December 2008.

Me in front of the Haga Sophia. December 2008.

Blue Mosque. One of the most beautiful buildings I've seen. At least from the outside. Couldn't get a picture that does it justice. December 2008.

Me in front of the Blue Mosque. December 2008.

Haga Sophia. December 2008.

Funicular in Istanbul. December 2008.

My friend Bilge. January 2009.

Istanbul is full of abandoned buildings. January 2009.

Istanbul tram. January 2009.

Another abandoned building in Istanbul. January 2009.

Horse carriages on Buyukada. January 2009.

Road on Kinaliada. January 2009.

Pretty rock on Kinaliada. January 2009.

Small bay on Kinaliada. January 2009.

Family of puppies on Kinaliada. January 2009.

View of Istanbul from Kinaliada. January 2009.

Haydarpasa train station from a ferry.

Istanbul Metro. January 2009.

Istanbul. January 2009.

Haydarpasa station. January 2009.

Old train at Haydarpasa station.

View of the Haga Sofia and Blue Mosque in Istanbul in December 2008.

View of the Haga Sofia in Istanbul in December 2008.

View of Istanbul from the island of Kinaliada in January 2009.

View of Istanbul from the island of Kinaliada in January 2009.

View of Haydarpasa Gari from a ferry in January 2009.

Passport Stamps

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