Corrine and I planned to walk across the highway to walk up and down the "main street" local to us in Cekmekoy. Before we moved out I had mentioned to Gulsen our plans and abruptly she said to hold off, as she and Soner planned to pick us up to take us over. Once we cruised the main street twice Gulsen turned to me in the backseat and asked what to do next. In my mind I thought we could just go back to my flat and socialize. She threw out a few ideas and I just nodded. What we did next we wonderful.
Soner drove us past the newer and larger airport located on the Asia side of Istanbul. The we kept driving. Both Corinne and I really hadn't heard what or where we were going, but we were in for the ride. An hour into driving I noticed water out the window. Corinne investigated on her Iphone and found we were at the Sea of Marmara.
First Glimpse of the Sea of Marmara
Jungle Gym(?) in the Park
Gulsen and Soner took us down to Izmit. Izmit is a elongated city that wraps around most of the eastern most corner of the Sea of Marmara. Soner parked at sea shore park. We all got out of the car and walked the boardwalk, finding a cafe where we all ordered coffee. I was lucky, the cafe had Wifi and I made a few Tango calls to family and WhatsApps messages to friends. (I'm still working on getting my mobile data to work for my phone.) Our group sat sea side for an hour or so and then made the decision to head back toward Istanbul for dinner.
On the Boardwalk
When we hit traffic, Soner zig-zagged through back roads to our destination. We were only half way back to Istanbul. We at at, as described by Gulsen, a meatball restaurant. Funny thing is no one ordered any meatballs, though "meatball" may also include patties for burgers. The food was great. I ordered dessert before my main meal - Turkish coffee accompanied by two cubs of Turkish delight and a cookie that reminded me of shortbread sprinkled with pistachios... I also helped Corinne finish off her patty with an assortment of sauteed onions. Yum Yummm! It was long ride home but a great day before the first day of teacher training!
Dessert Before Main Course
i remember the food as one of the great things about turkey...everything so fresh, so well-prepared, so nicely presented. and the breakfasts! yum, indeed. when we visit, maybe i can follow breakfast with the coffee and turkish delight? decadent!
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