the sahil yolu

Morning rain, gray and wind looked as though it would keep me in for the day, but once I got dressed the sun came out and the wind died. It was the warmest day yet, perfect for a long walk. I decided to see how far my feet would take me along the Bosphorus' Sahil Yolu, or coastal road. The water was cloudy with jellies and full of birds— gulls, ducks, cormorants— Turkey is a birdwatcher's paradise. All along the way, people were casually strolling with friends, working out at one of the many outdoor fitness stations, or fishing for hamsi, anchovies. I remember when I was a little girl, an old man sat down with me and my grandfather to show us his secret for catching the little silver fish. It was all about pulling the line with strength and grace, moving with the water. Just about every bend holds a memory, some I had forgotten until today.


Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü, the second Bosphorus bridge
 


Rumeli Hisarı fortress


Boğaziçi Köprüsü, the first Bosphorus bridge

At some point I decided that if I could make it to the town of Bebek, I would pick up some macarons at Divan— a heavenly patisserie that feels like a high-end jewellery store. I generally do not have a sweet tooth, but there's something about pistache macarons that makes me oh-so happy.



Here's a map of today's adventure, courtesy of Google:


Please click for a larger image.