The so-called "Grand" Bazaar

     I went out to the Grand Bazaar today.  Every time I am in a foreign city with a market I try to go, and Istanbul was no exception.  And every time I am in a foreign city with a market, I am frequently faced with unexceptional goods.  Again, Istanbul was no exception.

     The Grand Bazaar has somewhere around 4000 shops under it's cover (it also has 2 mosques and 2 hamams (Turkish baths) inside).  These 4000 shops all sell the same 5 things.  Really.

• Purses
• Jewelry
• Scarves and pillows
• Tea sets
• Clothes

     So, what is that?  Like 800 of each type of shop. Needless to say, I could have been happier with the selection.  Perhaps if I had shown up here with nothing other than the shirt on my back, it would have been a good place to go.

     I'm not saying it wasn't impressive.  It was a pretty amazing structure, and the sights and sounds of the salespeople and customers made it a very inviting place to shop (if you needed any of that) and people watch.  For once, I was not really approached by any of the vendors I passed (a very rare thing, I've noticed.  They love to talk to you.) while walking through there.

     I suspect this was due to my hair looking like a rat's nest and how bloodshot my eyes were from partying last night until 7am this morning.  I looked pretty scary, and apparently, not one to be trifled with today.

   My takeaway from this-- The Grand Bazaar is not the greatest place to shop for presents for people.  And, I should limit the number of nights I stay up drinking until the sun comes up so I don't scare people while I stumble down the streets.

Coming up next..... The Turkish toilet. Pros and cons.