Public Nudity!

More wandering, saw a huge section of this dense fabric cut out for a soccer stadium - kind of an eyesore, and interesting to see how they had to dig it into the very steep hills. this is an overview at sunset, you got the impression that the land would keep waving, covered by this mess, away into the distance forever if you could get up high enough to see it.

Scary hammam experience - we consulted the guidebook to find a 'real experience' hammam vaguely on the path we were travelling. hmm.... not tourist oriented, they tried to hurry me out, and rather then the promised waffle-weave towel to keep around you, they handed out a fluffy drying-off towel.... wasn't sure what to do, apparently that hammam's custom was to wear swimsuit bottoms, something i didn't know... anyway, much uncomfortableness as a result..... i was pretty happy to leave, even if it meant waiting in the busy street with people staring. lodged myself in a pile of travertine with my notebook and a occupied look, not too uncomfortable and the busybodies of the neighborhood apparently made sure tony knew his travelling companion was waiting - he had a good experience in the guys side, lucky bastard.

we stopped for some creative baklava on the way out, the turks are much more enthusiastic about food's aesthetic preparation then non-mosque's buildings..... supper, fresh seafood on the galata bridge overlooking the city and drifting boats... i ordered sea bream, figuring the whole fish pictured on the menu was just for illustration, but i recieved a fish that had probably been slapped wiggling onto the grill then left alone.... tasted good, came close to choking on bones, but it wasn't as hard as i'd imagined and an experience. tres chill hookah bar after that, cushions on the floor and low walls comfy, coffee tables, chill and smoke water pipe (apple, tasted like applewood and we only learned later that it was actually tobacco too.... pretty effect-less) was very soothing i guess.... good times. over enthusiastic waiter boy, snowboard competiton on tv distracting and fun - i wish chicago had someplace with an atmosphere similar, will have to go looking when i get back...... interesting cool day.