Back to Istanbul

It is true, you can never go back. After a perfect last day in Cyprus, which I hated when I arrived, Istanbul (which I loved last time) was something of a dissapointment. The city was cold and wet, but still beautiful; the hotel room which seemed so perfect last time seemed tiny and pokey, and the sreets intense. As you walk along you are constantly bombarded by men inviting you to come into their shop to 'just look' and then subjected to a major sales pitch. They are charming, welcoming, and won't take no for an answer. Lots of hand shaking, hand kissing, complements and insisting it it the Turkish way.

I trekked through the wet and crowded streets to the scenic area after I arrived, but it was rush hour (when is it not I hear you ask?), so I returned ot the refuge of the hotel until dinner time. Later, I ate well - the food is so far unfailingly good - and returned to the hotel for a good night's sleep.

Today, refreshed, I will again brave the streets and see if I can do some shopping.