To my surprise, my negotiation was successful and I received an offer very close to what I asked for – in addition to an increased number of working days. So, hurrah!
In the evening the GF and I went to a part of Besiktas we had not yet visited, a quiet, trendy bit with a high cafe quotient. The buildings were all nondescript, though a few had some glorious plantation, but I could see why people like living in Besiktas – my earlier visits had always been to the buzzing side of the neighbourhood, which didn’t feel at all appealing. I daresay Pera feels much the same to visitors. Our dining was a disappointment though. We went to a very enthusiastically profiled mezze place which was mediocre at best, and then had a coffee at another place which was better than mediocre but not by much. Still, a nice evening stroll.