July 5

Bank called the hotel first thing (well 9am) to let me know that I could pick up the card on Wednesday (2 more days!). Well, what to do now? I thought about just forgetting the card and moving on, or about going to Ephesus and coming back, but in the end figured to just stay till Wednesday and wait for the card (even though that meant I had to abandon Ephesus)

I checked out of the hotel I was at since they had tried to overcharge me and because they didn't take visa (had to conserve what cash I had, just in case). Found a place with air conditioning and way nicer for only 12 more euros. I already arranged to stay here on my way back...

Did that in the morning and then went to find the bank branch where I would pick up my card (so I would know where to go on Wednesday). Then I went to the Grand Bazaar for awhile (it reminded my of Beijing, but shopping is shopping wherever). I didn't buy anything as it was mostly tourist junk, not that I explored it all, hardly.

After I walked back to the Sultanamet and called Michael. Might meet him tomorrow. He was heloful with prices for flights and buses (as I try to figure out the next step of the journey). I think I am taking too much of his time. I will call him tomorrow and invite him out for a meal perhaps.

Then I walked to the Sultan's palace and spent a good 4 hours or so there. Then walked back to the Blue Mosque to hear the early evening call to prayer then back to the hotel for a rest.

Just ate a pide (turkish pizza) at the corner pide place (in the middle of tourist alley) and after my tea I will go back to the BM to hear the call to prayer, about 50 minutes from now.