Day 3: Shall I or Shall I Not

Weather Update: Mostly Cloudy with Sunny Periods. High: 2°C

Elevation Above Sea Level: 40 metres

A Snowy Start

This morning, I woke up to find two inches of snow on the ground. As I sat down for my usual breakfast—salad, bread, and cheese—I debated whether to stay put for the day. But staying in felt like wasted time. The snow was only a light dusting, so I decided to venture out.The wind chill made it feel like -6°C, cutting into my skin like tiny blades. I needed a face covering. I searched for a scarf but couldn’t find anything suitable. Then I remembered a buff. A sports shop employee told me they didn’t sell them, but as I browsed, I found one on their shelves. The assistant had disappeared—probably on a break—so I bought it myself. It wasn’t top quality, just polyester, but it did the job of shielding my face from the biting wind.

A Walk Through History

İstiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue)

İstiklal Avenue is a 1.4-kilometre pedestrian street in Istanbul’s historic Beyoğlu district, starting at Taksim Square. At the heart of Taksim Square stands a statue of Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. This street has long been a cultural and historical hub.

During the Ottoman era, it was known as Cadde-i Kebir (Grand Avenue) and was popular among intellectuals. Later, the French Levantines called it Grand Rue de Pera. After the Republic was declared on October 29, 1923, it was renamed İstiklal Caddesi to commemorate Turkey’s victory in the War of Independence. The cobbled streets are lined with alleyways, side streets, and endless shops. If walking becomes too much, a nostalgic red tram loops from Taksim Square for just 27 TL (€0.79 / NZD 1.29).

Galata Tower:

A View Through Time

Galata Tower has stood in Istanbul since 1349. Originally built as a watchtower at the highest point of the Walls of Galata, it now serves as a museum and exhibition space, offering breathtaking, unobstructed views of the Bosphorus River.

A Brief History

Byzantine Emperor Justinian first built a tower here, later destroyed during the 1204 Sack of Constantinople by the Crusaders. In 1267, the Genoese established a colony in Galata, constructing a fortified wall. The tower was rebuilt in 1348 in Romanesque style, as in Christea Turris (Tower of Christ). At 66.9 meters (219.5 ft), it was once the tallest structure in the city. Climbing to the top is worth it for the view alone, stretching across Istanbul’s historic skyline.

A Weather Rollercoaster

As I made my way back to the hostel, it was hard to believe that just this morning, the streets had been covered in snow. By evening, most of it had melted. Despite the sun shining, the cold still cut through, and I looked forward to curling up in bed under the warmth of the hostel’s heat pump. When I decided to leave the Irish Pub I stumbled upon earlier I looked outside made me realise I needed to get back to the hostel ASAP. The weather had changed from a nice sunny afternoon to blizzard-like conditions outside. Waking up tomorrow will be interesting if the weather forecast is on point.

Weather vs. Travel Plans

I originally planned to head north—taking a bus to Thessaloniki and then a train to Athens. But with extreme weather warnings predicting up to 40 cm of snow, I had to rethink my route. A new plan started forming, Instead of going north, I’d go south.

Catch a train southward, then a bus to the coast, and take a ferry to Cyprus.

But wait—flying to Cyprus is cheaper than a train-bus-ferry combo: only €93.

If I get stuck in Istanbul, I’d have to extend my hostel stay—if there’s even space left.

I will decide by the end of the day.

A Photo Mishap

I took some great photos today—at least, I thought I did. But when I went to download them, I realized I had accidentally set my camera to motion photo mode. Hopefully, they still turn out okay.

Final Thoughts

Every day brings new challenges, but that’s the adventure of travel. Some days are smooth, others are full of obstacles, but we push forward, trusting our instincts—right or wrong.

I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

Until tomorrow, safe travels!