Okay, okay, I know you’re only reading this blog because the title said I got drunk.

But, come on… there was a full day ahead of that!

After a full day yesterday I had gone to bed at 1:30am.   This morning I was up just 6 hours later.

It’s weird when I travel because in my normal life, I’m a night owl usually getting up in the afternoons.

When I travel, though, I’m consistently up before 8am.

Anyway, I quickly put the finishing touches on yesterday’s blog, got ready for the day, and Nathan and I were out of the hostel by 9:00.

Walking Tour

After stopping for a nice Turkish style breakfast, we arrived at the meeting point for the walking tour at 10:30.

Panar, a native Turk, was our tour guide for the day.   She had alot of stories and history lessons of the different places we visited over the next three hours.

Walking tours are normally two hours and, honestly, any longer becomes a tad bit long.   It’s alot of walking and if I haven’t mentioned it previously, it’s soooo hot and humid here.

During the tour she mentioned that her company also does a daily Bosphorus cruise ending with a side trip to the Asian side of Turkey where she would show us a quick 45 minute rundown of the Kadıköy neighborhood.

We had actually planned on doing a different Bosphorus cruise in a few days but we decided to change plans and go on the cruise today instead.

Not only would it free up a day but we’d also get a sneak peak at Kadıköy for when we visit tomorrow.

At 1:30 the tour was over and we had an hour and half until the boat cruise left.

Plenty of time for lunch.

Lunch

We ended the walking tour right outside the tour group’s office and we popped into a restaurant literally right next door.

For lunch, Nathan and I each had an authentic Turkish clay pot meal.   His was chicken.   Mine was lamb.   They were amazing.

After waiting awhile for the food, the cook/server came out with a cart that had our clay pots and a little fire.   He did a little show, tapped the clay pots a few times and they opened up.

We applauded, cause, ya know, we’re tourists and all and then we ate.

Just what the doctor ordered – a nice hearty meal of lamb, veggies, and rice.

Before we knew it, it was almost 3pm and it was time to go on our Bosphorus boat cruise.

Bosphorus Cruise

This boat cruise reminded me of the cruise I took in Budapest on my final days on my last trip.

It was just so nice to sit down and relax with the breeze flowing through my hair (well, if I had hair, but you know what I mean).

The cruise was about 2 1/2 hours and took us quite a ways up the Bosphorus straight which is the waterway separating the European and Asian sides of Istanbul.

At 5:30pm the boat docked in Kadıköy and we followed Panar off the boat for a quick tour of the neighborhood.

The neighborhood isn’t as touristy as the part of the city we’re staying and it seemed to be filled with restaurants.

Like I don’t even remember any other buildings, just a bunch of restaurants.

Not that that’s a bad thing cause, ya know, I love food when I travel.

Panar gave us what amounted to a mini food tour of the area showing us the places to come to and what to eat.

Notes were taken as we’re actually coming back tomorrow.

At 6:30 Nathan and I hopped on the nearby metro and took the quick 5 minute ride under the Bosphorus to the other side where all the action was.

After a long day of walking and being out in the sun, it was nice to be back ready to take it easy for the rest of the night.

There was the matter of a broken escalator at the metro station that we had to conquer first.

Yup, the two up escalators leading out of the metro station were both out of order.   Not tiny escalators either, these ones were 100 steps (Nathan counted) and, let me tell you, after a long day of being out in the sun, walking 100 steps is the last thing I wanted to do.

Such a cruel, cruel joke.   The Gods are cruel sometimes apparently!

Anyway, where was I?

Oh yeah, taking it easy for the rest of the night…

Whirling Dervish Show

Taking it easy for the rest of the night?   Oh, is this the part where Todd gets drunk?

Almost.   We’re getting there…

First we had a 7pm Whirling Dervish show that we had previously bought tickets for.

I didn’t know what to expect from the show.   I knew it had to do with guys spinning around (like a dervish) but, beyond that, I had no idea what I was going to see.

Turns out the show is actually a religious ceremony that 200 of us just happen to watch.

No photos allowed and no applause either.

Two hundred of us sat in chairs in a circle around the ceremony area with a band to the side.

It was a unique experience but probably wasn’t the best thing to do after a long day with little sleep the last few days.

The melodic music and twirling figures dancing in a quiet room was making it hard for me to keep my eyes open.

Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t boring.   It was just almost hypnotizing and kind of puts you in a trance.

Anyway, it felt weird not to applaud, even at the end of the performance.   The performers all left the room and then the main lights came on and the exit doors opened.

And just like that, the show was over.

Our hostel was only a 5 minute walk away and, although I was tired as hell, there was a rooftop bar at the top of the hostel calling my name.

Todd gets drunk

Sorry, I don’t have any pics of me getting drunk.   Honestly, the conversation was great and the drinks were flowing and I didn’t even think to pull out my camera.

Anyway, after a nice hot shower, I headed up to meet Nathan in the bar.

Now, anyone who knows me, knows that I typically don’t drink.   It’s not because I’m religious or anything or have had a bad experience or anything like that.

I just don’t really drink.

The exception, however, is when I travel.

Now, to be fair, I still don’t get black out drunk and usually drinking for me is maybe a glass or two of wine with dinner (I know, I’m soooo cultured, right?)

Well, after having Long Islands last night, my favorite bartender Augustina   was on duty and it was time for Long Islands again.

Did I mention she does generous pours of the booze?   Well, while I’m used to have 1oz of alcohol in my drink, she was making my Long Islands with 1oz of each alcohol (gin, vodka, rum, and tequila) which made the drinks 4oz each.

I did ask her to go a bit lighter on the booze tonight, but, even still, the drinks were pretty strong.

After three Long Islands I was officially, without a doubt, drunk.

Who woulda thought – lack of sleep, a day of walking out in the sun, and heavy drinks would get a lightweight like me drunk.

Anyway, around midnight, I stumbled (yes, I literally stumbled) back to my dorm room and almost immediately crashed in bed.

We decided that we’re going to take it really easy tomorrow with just a visit to Kadıköy planned and the rest of the day open for whatever we want.

It was definately a long day and a great way to kick off Balkan Trip 2023.