Here is my real Istanbul entry!

So, Itstanbul was interesting. We had tried the night before to get a tour off the ship only becayse our previous guide advised us that it would be necessary. We were unsuccessful so we got up and began trying to figure out how to get around. We had heard from several people that the taxi drivers here will swindle you for money so that option was out. We decided after finding a decent map that we would just walk. So we were off. Along the way we ran into several people from the ship who were all headed in the samwe direction as us so at least we knew we were going the right way. We were headed towards the Blue Mosque. There are LOADS of people and cars everywhere and everyone is trying to sell you something regadless of wether you want it or not; lots of cologne. they started at 20 euro a piece and ended up at 3 for 20 and these guys were relentless. one guy followed us for a godd five minutes. Danny finally told him that he could give us his entire stock for free and he would set it down and leave it. I guess that was enough to get him to go away.So we made it to the mosque after walking for a good half hour and it was pretty cool. The building was very immpressive inside and out. Right across th street was the Hagis Sofia so we paid the 14Euro get in there and it was worth it. The open area in there is so vast that we almost felt like ants. And it is so old! it was created as a church and then converted to a mosque. When we were finished wandering around the area, we headed towards the Grand Bazzaar. I had always heard of it but was not sure what to expect. Along the way we passed a spot that had advertised on sidewalk in front that it was featured in the book 10,000 placed to see before you die so i went in to check it out. It was an old Turkish Bath and it was still used as a bath. The brochure showed men getting bathed by women. There were two men at the door and they allowed me to peek my head in. The place looked very interesting and i was still not sure exactly what this place was so i asked the guys. they told me that it was a massage parlor and told me that the menu was 'very clear' as i started looking at it the guy elaborated that this was an oriental massage parlor for men. ahhhh! I got it now! Happy ending anyone?? I offered it up to Danny but he decided it was best to pass on that. That was is one and only chance people! Only in a 3,000 year old Roman Bath in Turkey. So we continued on to the Bazzaar. Ugh! There were SO MANY PEOPLE! and Danny could not wait to get out of there. We did not enjoy the hounding and we are not the bargaining kind of people. Besides, it was the same five shops over and over again. Pretty much a super old swap meat! Alot of people form the ship really enjoyed it, but the dollar is not really as strong here as we were lead to believe and we are not hagglers so we rushed through. Danny got hassled for yelling "yes please!" back at a guy. they all yell that at you when you are walking by. Danny can do it really well, but one guy didnt think it was very funny!We decided to head back to the ship and find a place to eat along the way. We had no trouble finding restaraunts only problem was that everyone had some guy outside hassling you to come sit and that immediately made us keep going. So we kept walking and getting hungrier and crankier. It was hot. We finally foind more of a little stand that we had passed on the way out and sat and ate there. Danny got some Kabab and i got a pita. the food was pretty good. We grabbed an ice cream and made our way back. We were tired but we stayed up to pack.At aroud 11 pm we went up for some food and on the way back to the room we ran into Avery and exchanged email addresses. They were going out for some hooka, but we were beat so we hit the sheets for a good nights rest. Tomorrow it is off to the Airport and jolly ol England.