Sep 28th, 2008

After having our breakfast at the hotel, we started out for the Turkish bath - Cimberlitas. This one looked a lot better than the one we had checked out yesterday. A in all earnest wanted a students' discount, and to our luck, this place offered discount for international visitors. We changed into the towels and went in the central octagonal room, Hararat. It was an octagonal room, with a raised warm marble platform in center. The roof had holes in it to let the light in.

We lied on the marble platform and it felt great! Then the masseur came in and began the massage. This turned out to be something of an act of faith - the guy could have broken my neck (or anything else) at will! And all he would perhaps lose is his job! The guy was good, and the massage very enjoyable. By the time we came out, it felt as if the body had opened up. A had a similar enjoyable experience, though KJ didn't think he got the best masseur. Not really surprising that by evening, he was giving another massage to A!

We then headed to the Bosphorus - took a train to Ottakay. On the train, A started chatting with this girl who was also going to Ottakay - she was guiding us to the boarding point, when KJ jumped into action. His theory is that there are two things that always makes a girl happy - her praise and chocolate (come on KJ! there's more to it). He found that she was from Moldova, and unsurprisingly found a connection to the place. And then "So is everyone there equally beautiful?" The girl didn't understand it all and managed a smiling "yes". KJ had to ram the point home "Do you have any sisters?" what kind of a question is that, being the third sentence you have ever spoken to a girl? Anyway, that was the end of that dialogue, and we found our way to the boarding point. Istanbul has a lot of cats (no, I mean the animal variety). the dock had a few of its own.

Since there was still some time for the boat, we decided to grab some food, and had Kumpir - its a boiled potato stuffed with all kinds of stuff - corn, peas, sauces, sausage, cheese and all. Great snack. Finished that and got on the boat for a one hour sail on the Bosphorus. This is the dividing strait between Europe and Asia, with beautiful houses flanking both banks. Had some nice khus tea on the way, just before landing back.

Our next stop was the grand bazaar. This has to be the most crowded place anywhere - just people next to people and more. Lots of apparels - you could get the same sweat shirt with a D&G label, or a Boss, or Armani! Design has been decoupled from the label here. A decided that he wanted to buy perfume and chose a D&G - "48 liras" said the shopkeeper. A waited to make his bid, and then with the smile of a victor, said "15 liras. Student - can't pay more". And as we were walking away, the shopkeeper agreed - now A's face was worth watching. As a matter of fair play, he pulled out a 20 lira note and handed it to the shopkeeper. Guess what - the shopkeeper handed back a D&G AND an Armani! It couldn't have been better - A now had two perfumes for 20 bucks and was still wondering what the cost of the perfume to the shopkeeper must be.

Soon enough we realized that we weren't going to buy anything here so we got out. KJ dialled O to invite her for the evening. She said she couldn't come because she had to be with her family for Ramadan. yeh kata! KJ then asked her for inputs on our driving plan for the next day, and promised to call her back on friday. After this conversation, A's respect for O went up, since she wasn't available - twisted logic.

A and KJ then spent 3 hours optimizing the car rental - frigging trying to save 3000 rupees. I met a bunch of guys playing backgammon - very friendly people - one of them even invited me to his place to meet his family. Finally A and KJ were done and we headed to Aya Sophia - this is a church that was built around 500AD and got converted to a mosque during the conquest in fifteenth century. Grand place - some very good mosaics. A copper door that was installed here from 2nd century BC.

We then took the train to taksim - the party spot in Istanbul. Had some sumptuous food and dessert. By then both our flag bearers for the night club, A & KJ, were falling asleep and wanting to get back to the hotel. So much for their youthful enthu! Got back here, and just going through this round of cutthroat where A is sweeping the cards with consecutive three 4NT bids made.