So my Istanbul experience has not quite been a Turkish delight. In fact I have changed my flight back to Athens for tonight, sweet sweet Athens. I have done all I want to do in Istanbul and see no reason in hanging around to be harassed by seedy men, in a nutshell. Ideally I would be goıng to Gallipoli or the coast but time and finances do not permit this, so off I go. I would love to come back but it will be to different areas and with safety in numbers. My Blue Mosque stalker (see yesterdays entry) saw me in the same vicinity today and started with the badgering once again - they are relentless. Does he roam in this area day in and day out to harass women - it seems a viable option.

In keeping with yesterdays religious theme, I slept on a bunk bed that made me closer to god - a good 8 feet closer! It was so high and I don't do the top bunk ever - ask Katie. It was wobbly and there were no railings. How I woke up still lying on it this morning is a gift from God.

After finally getting through to some airport staff to change flight and nervous breakdown taken care of (due largely to the Sydney solo-support act, Poppy), I set out in the city again - boredom makes you do punishing things. Walked a more secluded way and it was amazing to see the American influence in the modern buildings here. Many of the houses look like they have been plucked from a San Francisco. 50 metres down the bumpy cobblestone road is a timber shack that is literally falling apart - contradictions aplenty. Like the saturation of fake Western labels here (Nike, Polo, Prada to name a few), that are supposed to represent the excess that is to be abhored, yet it is embraced.

The Archaelogy Museum was really interesting - a varied collection of all different periods and places. The section on mosaics and pottery was fantastic - it is incredible how detailed and beautiful these ancient objects and patterns are. The general maintenance of things was not so efficient - large stone artefacts are displayed outside with no protection, and some are simply lying on the ground outside as a means of storage and not even of display. Prosperity looks grim.

Right near this are the huge gardens that lead to an amazing view of the water - the contrast from the main street is vast. There are lost of families in the lush gardens and I was not preyed on once. The water view is fantastic - note to self, when in Turkey head to the coast.

Of course I could not go without some traditional Turkish tucker before I left - the iconic kebab. It definitely seemed healthier than the Sydney variety - no sauce, some lettuce and carrot and not-so-greasy chicken. I also did the mandatory scan of the Macca's menu to locate the local dish - yes people, there is an 'McTurko' - a pita-bread-looking burger option.

Well I am off to the airport now - 'tis a happy time. Happy I came here and saw what I saw, namely the Aya Sofya, and learnt what I did. Just not an experience I want to drag out. On analysis my belief in the need for gender equality has been strengthened, as with my feminist beliefs and the notion that Turkey is far from landing that coverted place in the EU that they so desire...

The lack of 7UP is getting to me - curse my addictions.