Dıd you know......?

Today I saw the Bosphorus Brıdge.  The Bosphorus ıs the body of water that separates Europe from Asıa and the brıdge that connects the two contınents is, creatıvely, called the Bosphorus Bridge and was completed in the 1970's.  Actually, there are two bridges.  They are called the Fırst Bosphorus Brıdge and the Second Borphorus Brıdge and I got to see them both!  (o.k...... the second brıdge ıs also called Fatıh Sultan Mehmet Brıdge).  One of the many thıings that I did not know about Turkey before taking this trip is that part of Turkey sits in Europe and the other part sits in Asıa.  (Please don't think any less of me for not knowing this before - Dad, I'm talking to you!)  In the photo above, Europe ıs on the left and Asia is on the right.  The photo below is of the other Bosphorus Brıdge and in this photo, Asia is on the left and Europe is on the right.  My sources tell me that there are plans to buıld yet a third Bosphorus Bridge.

.

I had another really great day today.  Akıf (the youngest son of the "lıttle old man") was my guide.  He picked me up around 11:00 and took me out for breakfast.  We ate at a lıttle outdoor cafe whıch was surrounded by many other little outdoor cafes and shops selling jewelry.  Akıf is a pediatrician and he is absolutely charming!  The corners of his eyes have tıny laugh wrinkles and he gives the impression of a very compassıonate and happy man.  His phone rang almost non-stop from patients calling him for one reason or another and even though it is Sunday, and his only day off of the week, he took time to talk to and advise each one.  Breakfast was delightful, except for the coffee.  I just didn't think I could choke down one more cup of Turkish coffee and asked if they had regular coffee.  I was assured they did, they told me it's called nescafe in Turkish.  Turns out, it's really and truly Nescafe and it was horrible!  They made it with some funky tasting milk and I just couldn't gag it down.  That's it sitting in the cute yellow cup and looking all ınnocent and delicious in the photo below.

After breakfast, we hopped on a boat and took a one hour boat ride up and down the Bosphorus.  The weather started out perfect, sunny and breezy, but by the time our boat turned around and headed back, the sun had dısappeared and the wind had picked up and it was down right chilly! 

Yesterday, I got to visit the Galata Tower.  It was built in the 14th century and for hundreds of years was used as a lookout to spot fires in the city.  Today, it is primarily a tourist attraction and houses a restaurant.  It offers the best panoramic view of the city and I got some great pictures from the lookout balcony.

This is probably my last blog from Turkey as I leave for Athens in the morning!  I hope I can get a decent cup of coffee while I'm in Greece!