Turkish Tea and Starbucks

It's been a crazy week, and today is a down day.  The cheapest, coolest thing I could think to do was take the ferry to the Princess Islands again.  I took a different ferry which is part of the public transportation system, so I could use my Istanbulkart (prepaid, refillable pass) and it was less than 3TL (about $1.75) for a 1.25 hour ride on the Sea of Marmera.  Who can beat that?

I returned to the same cafe as last week, and sipped Turkish tea.

And then I ordered Turkish meatballs.

I asked my waiter, Serdar again,  what is in them, and I am going to attempt them at home...  I am really enjoying Turkish cuisine - it all feels so fresh and healthy.  (Other than that darn elastic ice cream, Dondurmalar, which is not so healthy but so very fabulous - it is almost chewy...)  Grilled veggies, grilled meats, and rice.  (I always send the bread basket back, but it looks yummy!)  Our favorite meal is lamb chops, which are very common here.  I suppose I should be eating more fish, but  somehow seeing it in the market makes me less likely to order it.  Saw this this afternoon.

  

I wandered a bit, but it is melting hot again, and I am weary.  And so here I sit at Starbucks.  For one thing, Turkish coffee is kind of gross and I need caffeine.  Turkish coffee is served in a tiny cup, with sugar, and is 1/3 grounds.  Really.  I'm not excited about chewing my coffee.  In the hotel room we have a water boiler, and sleeves of instant.  

I also like that the WC is clean and for customers only (you get a code on your receipt) and it is a flusher not a squatter.  (it's the little things that make my day)   It is high priced for the area, so (this is going to sound snobby) I feel safe in here.  At the street cafes there is so much ACTION and so many hawkers that it is exhausting,  and you must always be on your guard. (Unless you are tucked away from the action and have a guard waiter like Serdar!)  I also brought my adapter and charger for the outlet, I love my familiar non fat iced latte, and the view of the Marmara is breathtaking.  And did I metnion air conditioning?  So few places have A/C, but I am sitting below the vent here at Starbucks. And so yes, Starbucks for a few hours will do quite nicely.  Two weeks in Istanbul is wonderful, but I really needed a break today.

Here's my view out the Starbucks window as I type on my ipad.  

I won't be able to publish it yet, because the wifi requires a code which can only be sent by message.  I think my new app will let me store it locally.  Here's hoping!  No matter how I type it, I cannot get it to text to my American phone number.  And yes, I added the country code.  Interestingly, you have to be "approved" for the public wifi - including your full name and phone number.  A little invasive.   

The photos are a lower resolution when I upload them to my ipad rather than my MacBook, but hopefully they are clear for you.

Okay, güle güle for now.      I am going to blog in small bites.  :)   -g