Arrival to Istanbul

Oct 22 - Nov 4

Welcome back to the blog!

---

Trip to Istanbul (not Burger King)

After we had finished our four days in Greece, four other guys and I flew over to Istanbul, where we expected to taste flavors and spices like never before. Unfortunately, after our first few meals, we were left extremely disappointed. It may have been that we were coming off a high from Greek food, but the cuisine in Istanbul lacked taste and was very bland. So much so that we resorted to having burgers and fries, which also lacked flavor despite looking so appetizing. Istanbul was the most crowded city I had visited thus far, visiting Cappadocia might have been better choice.

---

Turkish Delights

One redeeming aspect of Istanbul was the abundance of Turkish delights; whether sold in stores or at stands, they were everywhere. There are many varieties of Turkish delights, but the basis of these sweets is sugar, starch, fruits, citrus, and sometimes nuts. My favorite delight was made from pomegranate, a specialty in Turkey. I also appreciated the gift-giving aspect of Turkish delights, much like people would do with tea, tobacco, or alcohol.

---

Istanbul Nightlife

Coming into Turkey, I assumed drinking and going to bars would be nonexistent, but I was quickly proven wrong. Despite being a Muslim country, beer, wine, and spirits were widely available. We were able to spend some nights hanging out at bars and chatting with other tourists.

---

Trip to Catania

Sicily, Catania to be exact, was one of the places that many locals and other students said was a must-visit while I was in Italy. Known for its rich history and renowned cuisine, Sicily was definitely worth visiting. Despite all the warnings online stating that Sicily was one of the worse places to visit in Italy due to it being dirty and dangerous, we didn't encounter anything worse than the average unattended alleyway. In Catania, I was able to try two specialties: brioche con gelato and horsemeat, both of which were very good!

---

Trip to Syracuse and Taormina

Next to Catania were the towns of Syracuse and Taormina, two quite different towns just hours apart. In Syracuse was the island of Ortigia, which is known for its Greek and Roman history. Ortigia was surrounded by beautiful blue water, even bluer than what I've seen in Hawaii. Taormina, on the other hand, is a hilltop town overlooking the Ionian Sea, known for its luxurious vibe and upscale shops. Ortigia was much more affordable and intimate, while Taormina was more touristy and pricey. Both places, however, were definitely worth the visit.