However with that realization I was determined to make the most of my last few weeks. The only problem in my way was exams. I had three exams and three take homes. Well they were all half-assed, three of them I had no preparation for. However I can now safely say that I passed all my courses, and all with amazing marks! I guess standards are not as high in turkey.
Some of the things I managed to see was Rumilseri Castle. One of the first ottoman forts. It was absolutely incredible. We were able to climb the many towers and could see all along the Bosporus. It was a little nerve wracking climbing because there were no safety rails, the steps were not even and many of the bricks were loose. It was amazing, my favourite tourist attraction of Istanbul. This was my last visit to the European side.
Another archaeological site that I saw was the walls of Constantinople. These were not Ottoman, they were Byzantine. Which means that it is being left to ruin. Turks and their political archaeology/tourism. In my time in Istanbul I never saw any Byzantine sites or tourists attractions - except for Hagia Sophia, however that was conquered by the Ottomans and turned into a mosque. Turks neglect anything Byzantine.
Everything else that I did in the last weeks I did with some of greatest people I've ever met. It didn't really matter to me where we were, just as long as we were spending our last few days together. We drank çay, smoked nargile, enjoyed Turkish cuisine, stressed over exams, visited parts of Istanbul we had neglected. We visited the prince islands, rented bikes and drank beers on the beach. We visited the largest hill in istanbul. Too bad the smog was too think to see much of Europe, but you could see the Asian side perfectly. We walked along the Bosporus in Ubskudar, Maltepe, Bebek, Kuzguncuk, Moda, kadikoy and sariyer. In Orhan Pamuk's book Istanbul he discusses how people of Istanbul have a deep attraction to the Bosporus and believe it can heal those who walk along it. After many walks I've had there, I believe it too. There was nothing more heartbreaking then flying out of Istanbul and seeing the distinctive Bosporus.
Having been out of Istanbul for a few days I really miss it, mostly the people. I also definitely have to go to çay rehab, there was more caffeine in those little drinks then I realized.
I spent my first three days out of Istanbul in Athens. I'm definitely experiencing another culture shock. Churches and church bells, Many English speakers and more skin being shown. Athens is very nice but it doesn't take long to see it all. Only three subway lines and all the tourist sites within walking distance. Unfortunately I didn't get too see the archaeological museum but maybe before I leave I will head over there and check it out. Truthfully I like Istanbul more, it feels more like a living city rather then a tourist hub. However Athens is much more calm. Everywhere you go in Athens you are always stumbling into archaeology sites, big and small.... Everywhere. It was definitely a dream for me.
The first site we visited was the acropolis. Really amazing even though it was under reconstruction. The view was also incredible, all white no skyscrapers, and it was so quiet. People in Athens rarely honk their horn, where Istanbulites are always honking. Nice little change. Then we visited the Minostraki flea market. It was cool to walk through and have lunch. It reminded me of Kadikoy, but kadikoy is bigger and cooler.
Day two we saw the Panthatic Stadium. The birth place of the Olympics. It was very cool walking along all the marble staircases and viewing the exhibition area. There they displayed all of the Olympic torches and their corresponding posters even the one from Athens in 1896. Very very cool. Then we saw the temple of Zeus. It was very hot and it was very difficult to concentrate on the history when your mind is fixated on finding ice cream.
Which brings me to food, feta cheese. Wow it's awesome In Greece. You can order it on its own and eat it with bread. Also pork, oh man I haven't had that in four months and it tastes really good. I even got bacon in a salad. The beer of choice is Mythos, very fitting name for a Greek beer with a Pegasus for a symbol. It's very funny how Turks and Greeks really oppose each other, but there are still many similarities, such as Greek coffee, it's the same as Turkish coffee, and ouzo liqour, it's the same as Turkish Raki.
The third day we visited the agora. There was a couple that was taking pictures and touching some of the statues. This is kind of a pet peeve of mine, artifacts should only be viewed, not handled unless you know what you're doing. Anyway as they were doing that a woman came running over and in a thick sassy Greek accent she said "excuse me this is an archaeology site, not a playground! If you don't like it then leave!" So awesome. Another funny part of the Agora was a random turtle in front of the Agora. As soon as people saw him they were way more interested in the turtle then they were with in the Agora. The list of other places we went goes on.
At the moment I'm on a 5 hour ferry headed to the Island of Naxos. I hope to spend the next few weeks Island hopping through the Cyclades Islands. On the 24th I'll be back in Athens and on the 25th I head to Bucharest Romania. Yay bye bye money.
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