Istanbul - the rugs

You can't go to Turkey without going shopping for a turkish carpet or Kilim (the woven instead of knotted rugs. Carpet and Kilim stores line the bazaars and the streets of the historic district. They have all sorts of ways to get you into their shop. This one had Obi - the Cat.

When you begin looking at a rug in the store, there is a process and protocol to it. If you are relatively serious then you accept the tea that is usually offered after the first 10 rugs have been unfolded and shown to you. We went to 3 rug places and in the end my folks find what they liked at the bazaar (last picture).