Except for the women wearing some kind of veil and the frequent loud calls to prayers Istanbul seems like just another European city.

I do wish they would set up crosswalks and traffic signals to give visitors a feeling they have a fighting chance to make it across the street. One feeling related to this is my feeling that everything here turns into a mess: people aren’t quietly talking to a driver as they board a bus – they are yelling and he is yelling back! The intercity bus I boarded for Istanbul’s main bus terminal scheduled to leave at 9 actually left at 8:20. Instead of the main terminal at 8 AM I found myself at some little bus yard in the boonies at 7:15.

I’ve seen the Blue Mosque, toured the Hagia Sophia (must see), walked through the Grand Bazaar and survived crossing the street at Taksim Square so what more must I do to prove to myself and others that I’ve been to Istanbul?

So now I’m on a ferry from Kalabatas to the Princess Islands (Asian side). Will this be enough?

I made it back from the ferry ride that was pleasanter than I anticipated.

Istanbul is very clean. The streets are being swept constantly by vehicles or persons. One of the workers in a cafe is frequently sweeping the floor.

Today I took a ferry up the Bosporus almost to the Black Sea.  I had a delicious whole sea bass. The buildings and residences along the Bosporus remind me of Venice (Italy). One restaurant reminded me of the Cheesecake Factory in Marina del Rey.

10/5/2012: One thing I forgot/blocked out – whatever – that was different was being insulted by the guys who stand outside restaurants in the tourist areas trying to entice one in. If you aren’t interested and if for some reason they don’t like the way you say so, they will insult you, saying such things as they would never want such a person as you in their restaurant! Different!