Istanbul, Turkey
We have three days in Istanbul and had the pleasure of starting with a wonderful visit to a local family. Our very good Las Vegas friend and jewelry designer, Gultan Dye is from Istanbul originally and coincidentally is on the ship with and selling her jewelry.
We had brunch at her brother’s home with his family of six and her folks. You won’t find that on any tour.
Afterwards he drove us around and we walk a couple kilometers up a crowded pedestrian street Istikial caddesi to Taksim Square and important meeting and visiting place; their version of Times Square if you will.
As luck would have it a couple hundred protesters were journeying up the same street and about 500 police descended in full riot gear to head them off. We didn’t stick around for the outcome.
