Istanbul, last day, the day after Mayday.

Well after the roads being blocked yesterday,  we decided to take a bus tour this morning. We got on the red bus first, through the city and over the Bosphorus into Asia,  and back., Tried to get some early mornings photos of the Bosphorus but the smog was too marked. The red bus ride wasn't too bad,  we got on the first bus out, and the air appeared  to clear somewhat in terms of photos.  As we came back across the Bosphorus,  and traveled to the city centre,  the police barricades were obvious and waiting to be picked up. There was a police presence around the streets, and Taksim Sq was completely deserted.  Down by the port, there was broken glass and water on the ground where the water cannons were used. The number of people up in the Hippodrome was back to its usual hordes,  although there was slight congestion,  the red bus was just A little late back to the Hippodrome.

We then got on the blue one, around the golden horn. This was OK to start with as  The trip was ok around the golden horn waterway. we  were moving ok until we came back to Fatih. It was so congested and we couldn't get anywhere we were gridlocked. This became interesting as first I saw a child moving between the rows of vehicles selling water, then a man with a tray of bread rolls balanced on his head selling them,  a woman with a baby begging, and eventually a child begging.  We were stuck in this for 90 minutes,  it was a relief to get off the bus. We had lunch, I was going to buy some bits to take home, but I wasn't impressed with the quality,  so I decided against. Wish I had got some earlier at Corinth,  Ephesus,  Canakkele or Cappadocia.  Such is life.

The police barricades being removed. 

 Towards Taksim square.
 The hippodrome relatively deserted early this morning.

A very deserted Taksim square. 

 From the Asian side of the Bosphorus bridge looking to the Black Sea.

 The President's yacht again.

The Asian side.

The Bosphorus bridge from the European side.

part of the old city walls.

More of the city walls

The side of

 the golden horn waterway. 

The Bosphorus bridge. 

The Atuturk bridge

The old and new,  a motorway bridge and the old city walls. 

a very narrow lane, full of shops

 The old and new.

 The deserted hippodrome early this morning.

The hippodrome was heaving with people as we walked down after the 2 bus trips, and there was huge congestion in both the spice markets and the Hippodrome. Then came a very loud and long call to prayer around 1315 hrs, and

 the crowds just seemed to vanish,  presumably into the mosques. 

The deserted Taksim square. 

Police at Taksim square. (Mopping up?)

 Many sirens and helicopters this afternoon. The English speaking newspaper today ran an article about the possibility of civil war, as 42% of the population do not believe the upcoming elections will be fair. Scare mongering or do the people really believe this? The poll concerned did have a smallish sample size although, all regions were represented.