Istanbul round 2! Love this city

How about a 14 hour layover in Istanbul?  Alright.  Actually the stop over was planned when I booked the award ticket on Turkish airways using united miles.  I wanted a chance to see Istanbul for a second time and get some things from the grand bazaar.  Get some things indeed!!

We landed at 6am this morning local time with little sleep.  We decided not to get a room the night before so we just went to the airport after our evening of indulging on caviar.  I slept in the airport for maybe 1 hour and then on the flight sort for another 2.  Good nights rest I'd say!  We went through customs upon arrival into Istanbul and then put our bags in lockers and headed for the bazaar.  The weather was quite damp and rainy so walking around wasn't all that pleasant.  

Upon arrival into the bazaar I had two things in mind.  Get blanket/throw called susani style and get some lamps.  I wanted to get myself a big lamp and get my cousin one for her wedding gift.  I ended up getting two big ones and two small ones.  One for my sister :). I shipped them all home right away.  Then when looking to get my throw I actually saw another one that I absolutely fell in love with.  I couldn't decide which one I really wanted and then the guy kept throwing out more of them and they were all so beautiful! I ended up getting two styles.  The one that I originally wanted and then another one which is off green pastel color with bright hand stitched flowers.  It's beautiful!  I cannot wait to use it.

All in all turkey for 10 hours was amazing in the city.  Gosh there are so many tourists here though.  I don't remember this from my first visit in November 2012.  Maybe it's because of the holidays or maybe it's because we've been going to places where people just don't go!

I love Istanbul.  I really want to come back and do some more exploring.  Actually I love turkey.  The country is really big and I think has a lot to offer.  I need to do lots of traveling here to get a really good feel

Now we are sitting in the lounge at Istanbul airport. I still have my star alliance gold status until January 2015 so I'm soaking that up,  this lounge is amazing.  Best lounge that I've even been too.  I've had some wine, cheese plate, dinner, and already an assortment of Turkish desserts.  Turns out we are going to be here for a long time...our flight to Lahore is delayed by 6 hours.  Good thing for this lounge pass!!!

Next stop Lahore Pakistan!  Keep me in your thoughts as I visit maybe the most crazy country ever!