I’m sure the saying, “Pride goeth before a fall” has crossed your path or perhaps your own lips at some point. There is a certain amount of truth to that adage. Since I don’t like falling it makes sense to avoid pride in the first place.
I admit, I worry a little about appearances. Specific to travel, I don’t like appearing like a tourist. Ridiculous in a Middle Eastern culture where my white body, western clothing and the camera hanging around my neck are dead give-aways. Still, I like being a little unusual. Even odd. Someone who regularly chooses the road less traveled. 
There are times, however, when it makes sense to join the crowd and today was one of those days. You can’t really see the major sights any other way in the month of May so off we went. First stop, Iya Sofya. The most frequently visited sight in Istanbul, free admission and layered in Christian and Islamic history, it is listed in the guide books as a must-see. Since today is a historic holiday for Turks, even the locals became tourists and we could not get near the place. Same thing with the Blue Mosque, another sight-seeing icon.
Instead, we walked. For 4 hours we walked. Through the wooden structured Colonial District, through the gauntlet of a lesser bazaar, along the waterfront promenade, over the bridge that spans the Golden Horn, through the floating fish-to-go lunch stops, along the tram route and back to the hotel.
On our way to our room, we met a large group of young people shouting and chanting some unifying slogan. The shop owners stood at their doorways with furrowed brows and families migrated to side streets. Apparently, it was a demonstration against the government and business owners were worried about an eruption. That explained the vanloads of police at the major sights and the guards with machine guns on every corner.
We decided to stay in and enjoy the whirlpool before we join tomorrow’s tour. 
As a seguay to the tour, let me just say that we are uncharacteristically relinquishing a measure of independence for the next 11 days beginning tomorrow as we hook up with a Rick Steves tour of western Turkey. To be honest, we are a little apprehensive. As far as I am aware, it isn’t the pride thing. But it could be.
The real question is, will it provide a better experience of Turkey than would be possible on our own? We thought so when we booked. Now we see how accessible the country and its people are. 
Stay tuned. 
Does a Rick Steve’s tour actually include Rick himself? Or some staff person? Enquiring minds want to know. Will be interested to hear how this goes.
No, Rick hires guides for his tours. We look forward to letting you in on as many details as you want next week.