Crossroads Tour: The Islamic Science Museum – The Director’s Cut

I hurry on to the Islamic Science Museum, eager to see how it compares to the Galileo Museum in Florence.

Crossroads Tour: The Bosphorus – The Director’s Cut

We reach our final destination, the small fishing village of Anadolu Cavagi that sits at the base of a hill, crested by Yoros Kalesi. A waiter at a restaurant points me towards the steep path that will lead me to the ruins of the fortress.

Crossroads Tour: The Topkapi Palace – The Director’s Cut

The Topkapi Palace, built between 1460-78, is a walled complex covering 700,000 square meters, comprised of three courtyards, several gardens and all the buildings required for a royal administrative city.

Crossroads Tour: Sleepless in the Sultanahmet – The Director’s Cut

The weather is overcast, like my mood. I'm mentally fatigued. I cannot get onto the WIFI. Maybe Istanbul is too challenging for me. Maybe I need to return home...

Crossroads Tour: The Grand Bazaar – The Director’s Cut

The Grand Bazaar is as large and noisy as you would expect a 5,000 store shopping mall to be. Rick Steves says to spend about 2 hours here, which is about as much time as a human has before their retinas start to melt.

Crossroads Tour: The Carpet Salesman – The Director’s Cut

I'm in Istanbul for less than 2 hours when I'm sucked into the carpet shop across the street from the hotel...

Crossroads Tour: Welcome to OZ – The Director’s Cut

A city that is 4 hours away, takes me 14 hours to get to. And when I finally arrive, it feels like Oz.