Rainbow steps

We had a second day in Istanbul, and had several things remaining on our list. It's always good to subtly eavesdrop on other passenger's conversations, because you can learn a lot about what to see and do. If I didn't happen to hear another fellow traveler talking about all the flowers that were blooming around the Sultanahmet area, we might not have gone back there. As I mentioned before, it seemed like a totally different city from a month ago, and this was especially true of that area. 

The plantings were stunning.

This is a view of Hagia Sophia. I think it's best from the outside.

With 4 or more cruise ships in town, plus all the other visitors, this place was jammed with tour groups. Vendors were everywhere , trying to sweet talk us into stopping by their shops to look at carpets, ceramics, jewelry, etc. My favorite line was from one young man who said to me" I like your eyes. Are they natural? " That still makes me laugh...

I missed spring at home, so all these flowers really made me happy! 

Of course, the original tulips bulbs came from Turkey, and they are justifiably proud of them. 

I loved this old yellow building, though it looked like it needed a little tlc.

I decided that the theme of this post was COLOR! 

This was a fabulous wall outside of a shop that the fellow in the next photo was trying to get us into.

I agreed to come to his shop just so I could take his photo. Do you imagine he suspected that? Is that why he's giving that suspicious look? It was worth it! 

This was our old neighborhood where we first stayed. A month ago it was cold and felt like winter, with everyone( including us) bundled up. Now it was festooned with banners and looking quite festive, and spring like. 

We went back to our favorite restaurant, too and now it was open to the air. Our waiters remembered us, and as we were leaving we ran into our friend Emir from our hotel. It was like old home week! Of course we had to share a cup of tea with him. 

These are traditional shish kebabs found in many restaurants. Grilled to order, of course.

We had a variation on this for lunch.

Then it was time to get back to the ship before it left without us.

On the way we walked past all the nargile places that looked very fun- if it didn't involve smoking...of course there is tea drinking, or backgammon playing.

And finally, the rainbow stairs. The true story from a couple of years ago is that a man decided to liven up his neighborhood by painting the steps in rainbow colors. The city officials didn't like it, so came and painted them out. In protest, and solidarity, many others around town also painted their steps, so the officials eventually gave in. It looks so cheeful that I wish I had some steps to paint. 

A lot of weary people dragging back to the ship...