I walked a lot yesterday. Up hills, through, alleys, through parks, through a spice market and a mosque. I saw a shop that sold deer antlers with giant knives imbedded in the end, I saw dead fish, I ate baklava, I drank orange juice, I saw too many hardware stores and not enough grit, I got lost and then found again, I almost fell asleep on the ferry, I worried about thunder and rain and gear damage, I battled to stay awake during class, I talked shit, I hung out, I drank beer and today… I’ll probably do it all over again.

Since I’ve been in Istanbul it’s been a series of late late nights. No complaints, none at all.

Went to an opening at Istanbul Modern yesterday. Weird, semi-creepy video art, free terrible wine (makes me rethink all the bad things I said about Sula), delicious free frozen yogurt.

Went to a party at the beautiful home of one of the workshop participants who lives in the city. Walked around the Euro side. Smoked hookah fought to stay awake. Spent way too much money on street food and Effes.

Don’t regret a bit of it. Not even a smidge.

Here’s some evidence:

Delhi to Moscow to Istanbul. I made it without incident or inconvenience save for an hour and a half of urban hiking that I had to endure when I couldn’t get past the language barrier while I trudged around looking for my hostel.

The city is beautiful though. Sea breezes and sunshine. Water taxis and delicious street food. Fresh squeezed orange juice everywhere and it only costs a lira. If I could just speak Turkish this place would be pretty much ideal.

Here are some frames I grabbed yesterday while trying to get my bearings in this massive city.

This is what I saw.

Large size here

Original here.