Oct. 12, 2014. Sinop Last Day

Spent the AM sleeping in, sorting my bags, throwing away old maps, boarding passes, notes, business cards, etc.  Checked out at 2, stored my backpack at the front desk and set off for town.

I have been to all the sights in Sinop in the tourist brochure, so I guess I have seen Sinop.  It was clean, safe, very American friendly and easy to negotiate city.  Busses were easy, the Antiq Otel (they had dozens of old pieces of Roman colums, marble carvings, headstones and even their own small musuem on site) staff were wonderful, weather was about perfect, even if it did rain a little this afternoon.  Was able to experienced a full moon on the Black Sea, a windy day, a sunny day and a rainy day.  Rarely needed a jacket.

Set off by bus 

for the Mosque and the Medrassa, both dating back to around 1000 AD.  

Went into the Mosque and watched the afternoon prayers and made a video.

The old Madrassa (school) was now a bunch of little shops.  Bought a little -  3 inch long - ship in a bottle as my souvineer of Sinop.  The ship in a bottle along with the memory of riding in a Turkish Police car and about 1000 photos will return to Portland.

Would really like to see Istanbul - everyone I spoke with said to go there.  Maybe a walkabout someday south from Istanbul along the Aegean down to the Mediterean then east - topping long before Syria, for obvious reasons - someday.

After walking about town, it was time to head back to the hotel.  It started to rain - but hey - I live in Portland - it was a nice end touch in the 12 day journey in Turkey.

Thought I would return to the place in town where I ate yesterday and try some of the beef tips over rice that I tasted yesterday, but they were closed.  Found a little place that was making sandwiches.

Bought a grilled chicken, pepper, onion and tomato sandwich in a big hogie bread, some chips and a liter of Coke for 10 lira, or $4.40.  There were two men customers in the store, the owner and the cook.  They all gave me thumbs up when I told them I was America.  Sinop likes Americans, primarily the older generation, I was told, because of the good impression left by the 1500 soldiers stationed at the Army base that closed about 20 years ago.

Had a nice walk in a misty rain back to the hotel.  Quaffed two beers I bought at a store - the store owner recognized me from yesterday's beer purchase and gave me a thumbs up "American!!" And a smile.

Sat in the back porch of the hotel and listened to the Black Sea crash on shore, took a few more umbrella pics and sorted and organized gear.

The hotel staff called a taxi and was off to the bus station.  The driver spoke some English and said "America good." And insisted that the fare be 20 lira even though the fare meter said 23.5 lira and insisted that he carry my bag into the bus station.  It will be a wonderful memory of Sinop, one of the three harbors on the Black Sea.......along with July and August.