Saturday November 16
We were on the road by 5:30 am to catch our 7 am ferry to Bandirma. Delicious food would await us there, this much we knew. In the dark drizzle, we passed through an almost empty Taksim Square - only all night partyers and early morning paper delivery guys about. Not surprisingly, Madalene rode over glass, and got a flat. Thankfully we left with time to spare for just this reason. We found a nicely lit place in front of the Dutch consulate to perform a record breaking tube change, and made it to the ferry just as Deniz hopped out of a taxi. We all settled into our assigned seats, and put on our headphones to get just a little more sleep.
We arrived in Bandirma and were ushered to Selin's home (true, after a little of navigational confusion). After no less than 3 coffees (yes, we are addicted) and a hot shower, we sat down to a beautiful homemade Turkish breakfast! (Eating was a much loved theme of our time with Selin and Deniz).
After breakfast, we decided to investigate Bandirma. We walked along the waterfront, over oddly painted bridges leading to nowhere, and looked into fishing stalls. It wasn't too long before we'd more or less 'seen' Bandirma. What to do next? Selin had an answer. We found ourselves in her hair salon, Betty, and lined up for haircuts (which were much needed -- I hardly had a chance to resist).
We walked out of the salon looking much more respectable than we walked in, and headed to the small village of Aerdek for dinner on a 'lil boat. Thankfully Deniz and Selin were there to order for us, I didn't see much English around. We sampled perfectly deep fried mussels on skewers, calamari, and plates of little fishes. So fresh, so greasy, and so delicious. I imagine they would make a mean onion ring as well.
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| Changing a flat at 6am in front of the Dutch Consulate in Istanbul. |
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| Turkish breakfast courtesy of Selin. Here I discovered my new favorite cheese dish, made with Lor Peyniri (a little like cottage cheese, but less salty, and more interesting |
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| Chilling out at fish stalls in Bandirma. |
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| Madalene, Deniz, and Selin brave the bridge to nowhere. |
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| As seen in Bandirma. I'm still speechless. At least nothing is being wasted. |
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| Jenn getting a haircut at Betty in Bandirma. |
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| I was tricked into getting a hair cut too. Good bye scruff. |
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| Deep fried mussels! A-mazing. Must be eated within 1 minute of coming out of the fryer. |
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| We were on a boat in Aerdek for this fishy feast. |
