Day 98 – Hello Europe!

Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) to Istanbul (Turkey) - Orient International Hostel

Inside the Hagia Sophia

After an overnight flight to Istanbul (during which the guy sitting next to M tried to convert him to his church), we arrived at the hostel about 8am, where we were given a room to rest in until early afternoon when our room became available.

We headed out after lunch for a walk down to the sea shore and then up through the Topkapi Palace grounds, though we decided not to go into the palace today. We then paid a visit to the Hagia Sophia (called Aya Sofia in Turkish), as well as the mausoleums next door, before returning to our hostel. The hostel is in a great location, walking distance to all the major sights, restaurants everywhere, and shops galore.