The Basilica Cistern was astoundingly awesome, though kind of creepy with a lot of oversized fish swimming through its waters.

I initially wasn’t too excited about the Topkapi Palace Museum, but ended up spending half the day there. Of the experience, I was most excited to learn that one of the sultans had a person working specifically to prepare pickles.

I explored the Grand Bazaar. I tried my first Turkish baklava and died. I tried my first Turkish Turkish delight, and was immensely satisfied. I drunk more pomegranate juice and ate more doner from local street vendors. I spent another evening in the Taxim district.

With more time in Istanbul, I might have explored the other side of the city or the museums; however, I felt like I saw everything I really wanted to see and was thus satisfied.