the Bosphorus

Sunday March 2

Sultanhamet old city must be the outdoor cafe venue of the world - every eatery has sidewalk tables, some enclosed with heaters or even a wood-burning stove. Not only are we enticed, begged, cajoled, harangued to buy rugs and wares but to eat. I nod and smile and say we will be back, ask "what is your name"and we are let loose with good nature. When the next hawker approaches I feel disappointed that I can't eat again, wondering what I will miss.
We got hawked onto a 2 hour boat ride on the Bosphorus, which was on the agenda, just not in the rain. Snagged seats under cover near the service counter whose tender did a brisk business in hot water and packets of cocoa and nescafe. Boats and birds abundant. The Asian side looks no different from the European side, just a name same people same buildings same dirt.