Arrived late afternoon. Dropped bags and walked straight to the bridge. The skyline at sunset from the water was something I wasn't prepared for. Istanbul hits different.

Spent two hours inside Hagia Sophia. The scale of it is hard to describe. Layers of history literally built on top of each other. Worth every minute of the queue.

Spent the morning wandering through the covered market. The spice section alone was overwhelming. Tried simit from a street vendor — incredible. The city keeps surprising me.

Took the ferry from Karakoy to Kadikoy at sunset. Tea on the deck, gulls chasing the boat, city lights starting to come on across the water. This is what everyone talks about when they talk about Istanbul.

Wandered through Balat today. Narrow streets, houses painted every color imaginable, cats napping in every doorway. Found a tiny bakery making simit fresh and ate one walking back to the hotel. Best two lira I have ever spent.