So Long Istanbul

Tonight I am taking the 6:30 PM ferry across the Sea of Marmara from Yenikapı (in Istanbul) to Bandırma.  First thing I will do when I get there is to go to the train station, which is reportedly right next to the ferry terminal, and buy a ticket to Selçuk for first thing the next morning.  I have not found a place to stay in Bandırma yet but I figure there should be some places around the ferry terminal and train station.  I will spend two nights in Selçuk and some of that time I will be exploring Ephesus.  Then I will take the train to Denizli and stay at Pamukkale for one night.  I found places to stay in both Selçuk and Pamukkale for 40TL per night including breakfast - that's less than US$20.  They are pensions, not Airbnb places.  I am finding that in Turkey, once you get away from Istanbul and Ankara, Airbnb places are thin on the ground.

I will miss Istanbul, and specifically Cihangir - it's a great neighborhood.  I had a good time learning Turkish and I made some new friends at the same time. I will miss the excitement of seeing protests almost every weekend, but I won't miss the tear gas.

Amusing government health warning on a nargile.

Cihangir.

Cihangir.

Börek

Börek!