We Love Istanbul!!

We snacked on simit ...  kind of like a Turkish bage.  The ones Danni is pointing to had cinnamon inside. 

They tasted pretty bland, but were an edible snack when we were out and about!

Everything at the Spice Market was SO beautifully displayed!  Danni picked out some tea for her kindergarten teacher!

Halloween costume shopping!!  This is really a circumcision outfit!  Ouch!!  Glad I am American!!!  I made a handsome sultan!!

Most of the streets are cobblestone... and a lot of them are steep.  We got our workouts walking the city!!

One of the obelisks in the Hippodrome!

Yummy kebab meats...  and chips (we call them fry-fries!)

We enjoyed eating at local Turkish spots!

The water cups were single serve and disposable!

I started to drink alma chai (or, apple tea!) I am so grown up!

Toasting to a fun day in Istanbul!

We met lots of nice kitties everywhere we went!

We met some nice waiters too!  We ate dinner at this guy's restaurant almost every night!!

More meat!!  

Watching the lady make traditional Turkish bread.

I was excited to find a place that had a version of  the 'real cheese' sandwich!  They called it cheese toast there!

In the seed market...

She found lots of sparkly stuff in the Grand Bazaar!

Water break while shopping at the Grand Bazaar.

She learned to bargain!

While Daddy did a business deal, we played with one of the shop boys.

Afternoon tea on the roof of our hotel.

Our last few days were spent in Istanbul... shopping, eating, and exploring!  I picked up a chess set at the Grand Bazaar and Danni learned to bargain and made a great deal on some pretty bracelets.  I started to really enjoy my morning and afternoon alma chai.  I love the little glasses that it is served in.  In fact, I bought my own tea set so that I could serve my own at home!!! Everyone was so friendly to us -- the Turks REALLY love kids.  It was strange to have people pinching my cheeks or putting their arm around my shoulders... but I loved the attention!  The waiters and shopkeepers are way more playful than the ones we have in America!!!  Istanbul is a fun place to visit!!  When can we go back?!