11/18/2022 1 Comment Ferry to UskudarAfter a good rest from our eventful morning to the bazaar, Dr. Bayan took Brittany and I on a girls trip to the Asian side of Turkey, Uskudar. It is crazy that a 10 minute ferry switched us between continents!! The ferry ride was very peaceful on the way there, always enjoying a bit of water time. Upon our arrival, we found the city to be bright with colorful buildings and tons of parks! We decided that we wouldn't make a plan and just walk around until we found somewhere to eat. I am getting better at spontaneity! It was a really fun time getting to spend time with Dr. Bayan and speak with her on non school-related topics. We walk around for awhile, and admire how you can do and see so many things on a low budget in Turkey, and cheap public transportation making everything so easy. We pass a few restaurants and cafes that we decide to stop at on our way back. We end up walking along this beautiful street with tons of people sitting at tables on the sidewalks have cay (tea), Turkish coffee, smoking (ew), and lots of desserts! We decide that dessert before dinner is a must, and stop at this cute cafe and each grab a chocolatey dessert! Dr. Bayan was so excited, it was really fun. We continued on and found this small shop with beautiful jewelry, and I bought myself a gorgeous sterling silver ring! Because sometimes it's good to treat yourself, and I often am (rightfully) accused of not buying myself enough on trips and only getting gifts for other people. We walk back where we came from, and stop at an Ottoman restaurant/Palace, the Nilhan Sultan Kosku restaurant where the granddaughter of an old Ottoman Sultan has transformed their palace into an authentic Ottoman eatery. At first we sit outside for a view of the Bosphorous, but then it starts to rain so we headed inside to an area that apparently used to be where they kept the water? Our waiter was very nice and spoke English very well, exciting Dr. Bayan to make a connection with someone there that speaks English for future reservations. We had a wonderful meal with tons of tapas of rice, salad, and meat dishes, with a lovely background traditional Ottoman music by Dede Efendi. We talked for a long while, getting to know Dr. Bayan more, and just enjoying a calm evening out. After dinner our server took us on a tour of the palace and all of the any levels with views of the Bosphorous. Then we headed downstairs to their shop, where Dr. Bayan bought some beautiful tea sets, and we connected with the two wonderful women there who are students at local universities! After our shopping, we head back to the ferry station, where the water has become much more choppy and rocking some pretty large boats. With caution we get on, but after a few minutes Dr. Bayan decides that we're going to get too sick so we hop off the boat and try to hail a taxi and experience going over the suspension bridge. However, when we get to the taxi area, they all reject taking us because there is too much traffic and just point us back to the ferry. After much debate, we head back to the ferry, deciding to go on the bottom floor this time that's enclosed and will hopefully let us feel the rocking less. The boat takes off soon after and we make it back safe to the other side, though feeling a little queasy. All in all, we had a really nice night just the girls hanging out, and getting the opportunity to get to know Dr. Bayan more outside of school.
1 Comment
Kenille Baumgardner
1/27/2023 12:07:51 pm
Curious about who Brittany and Dr. Bayan are. Will ask your parents. I can tell this is going to be fun to read. Kenille
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