The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 3,000 shops covering over 60 streets. Bring a map!

It attracts between 250,000 – 400,000 visitors daily, who come in search of everything from impressive locally-made rugs to the sweetest soap you’ll ever smell. You want a token from Turkey? They’ve got you covered.

I’m in search of my next book to read but these are all in Turkish.

(I spy the turquoise cover of The Fault in Our Stars below… the film adaptation hit theaters the day I left for Africa so I have yet to see it. I can’t wait… my tissues are ready.)

Cats are everywhere. I’ll refrain from making a Broadway joke.

Here’s what the main corridors look like. Honestly? It’s all more upscale that I anticipated. It’s quite pretty to wander and most of the vendors allow photos, at least in my limited time there. They hassle me to purchase something the minute I slow my pace or turn their direction — that’s to be expected. I either ignore them or offer a firm ‘NO.’

COLORED LANTERNS… I am so easily distracted by these. I forget wherever I intended to go and start clicking away.

I escape for an hour or so to get coffee. This is actually my first cup of Starbucks since my time in Japan two months ago! And the holiday red cups are in… I am border-line giddy to order a gingerbread latte.

We all meet up again and wander to a different shopping area — Arasta Bazaar — not far from the Grand Bazaar. It’s a little more expensive but there are fewer crowds.

This blue eye symbol is ALL over Turkey.

True confession that might further incriminate myself as stupid: I actually wondered if this was the “eye” that Eye of Sophia referred to (this makes more sense if you’ve read the start of yesterday’s post).

Stop it, I can hear you laughing over the internet.

These men pose when they spot my camera:

There’s a hookah lounge at the end of this street; one of many we pass while in Istanbul.

I don’t really do souvenirs — my photos are how I remember places, plus I don’t have room in my luggage to carry more stuff. But it’s still fun to window shop in the Grand Bazaar, and a great spot to buy holiday gifts for people back home. If you’re looking for deals, haggle for a good price!