Day 2: Crossing Paths, Coffee, and the City’s Layers

Good mo-ni-ng!

Still half asleep in bed, my roommate and I greeted each other with soft smiles and the joy of meeting again.

We weren’t quite sure about the morning plan. We knew the retreat would officially start in the afternoon, and there had been talk of an optional excursion to the ancient Basilica Cistern — a historic underground water reservoir — but the details were uncertain.

Breakfast was available from 8 a.m., so we decided to start the day with a good meal.

On the way to the restaurant, we bumped into another participant who had just arrived that morning. We invited him to join us. The hotel restaurant, called the Rooftop, was located on the top floor — though, amusingly, there was no actual open terrace. Still, the view was spectacular. From our side of the Bosphorus — the European side — we could see across the strait to Asia. How fascinating to stand where two continents meet, once part of the historic Silk Road.

As we were the first ones at the restaurant, we had the privilege of choosing the best table — right in front of the panoramic windows.

The breakfast buffet was abundant and full of variety. Not just the usual European selections, but also a rich spread of Turkish specialties: pickled and cooked vegetables, fresh fruits, cheeses, breads, and much more. I couldn’t possibly try everything in one sitting, but I planned to sample more in the days to come.

While we couldn’t see them from our table, the Blue Mosque and the iconic Hagia Sophia were visible from the other side of the restaurant, near the buffet area — a little preview of tomorrow’s explorations.

After breakfast, we waited a while in case the visit to the Cistern would happen — but eventually, it was cancelled. So we decided to stroll around the neighborhood to enjoy the local atmosphere and picked up some water and fruit for the room.

Back at the hotel, I was hoping to find a quiet garden or poolside corner to relax, but there wasn’t really a suitable space. So we decided to head back to the town and explore a bit more.

In the lobby, we ran into our translator, who happened to be a friend of my roommate. He was on a mission to find the best coffee in Istanbul — and, it turns out, he’s also known for making excellent coffee himself. Naturally, we joined him.

Along the way, we encountered a Turkish man who spoke fluent Japanese — and somehow he ended up becoming our local guide, insisting on taking us to his favorite coffee spot in the city. Unfortunately, when we got there, it was closed. But he had a second idea — another hidden gem, this time with a sea view.

To get there, we had to climb narrow stairs beside a jewellery shop — the kind of place we would’ve never entered on our own. Even if we had noticed it, we likely would’ve passed it by. It seemed to be part hotel, part restaurant. We climbed three floors (no elevator), and at the top, we were rewarded with a stunning view of the sea.

Of course, we ordered Turkish coffee. And wow — it was exceptional. Until that moment, my image of Turkish coffee had been something overly bitter, with an annoying layer of gritty powder at the bottom. But this one was different: rich, deep, slightly bitter but smooth and mild. Truly delicious.

We were also offered a small mezze dish — a creamy, yogurt-based dip, likely Haydari or Cacık — served with bread. It was lovely, but we reminded ourselves not to eat too much. Lunch was coming soon, and we had to rush back to the hotel.

Lunch was served at the hotel — generous and flavorful. And to finish, the famous Turkish dessert: Baklava. It was delicious, though quite rich. One piece was definitely enough.

The first part of the retreat program began gently, in a shaded, cosy area of the courtyard. A soft landing into this new shared space… It continued into the early evening, flowing quietly but with presence.

After the sessions, we returned to the Rooftop restaurant, where we ended the day with a peaceful dinner and a breathtaking night view over the Bosphorus. The lights of the city shimmered in the distance, as if Istanbul itself were gently exhaling under the stars.

Full and fulfilled, we went to bed, already feeling the excitement for tomorrow.