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Published: November 23rd 2009
There is something to be said about expectations and travel. And I am not sure if it was last year's chaotic experiences in Greece and Cairo or the fact that my Mom and Dad made me watch 'Midnight Express' when I was 18 as a cautionary travel warning but my expectations for Istanbul were completely off base. Istanbul is an amazing city of ancient splendour mixed with rapid modernization. Walking the cobblestone streets conjures up visions of Empires and days gone by, of sultans and harems, oriental splendour and squalor, luxury and decadence, mystery and intrigue all while a current modern day and cosmopolitan city goes about their daily business... oh, and the Turks are just so darn friendly and welcoming!!!
We arrived to Ataturk airport at 3:00pm and once we obtained our entry visas, cleared customs, collected our bags, hopped on the train, navigated through the bustling streets and found the correct tram we found ourselves walking through the Hippodrome between Aya Sophia and the Blue Mosque at dusk. Birds were majestically soaring around the six minarets of the Blue Mosque... a hauntingly beautiful sight. After a quick and delicious dinner of Chicken & Lamb Shish we retired to
Sultanahmet Street
"Old Istanbul", where we stayed.our guesthouse exhausted from 44 hours of continuous travel.
The next morning we woke early fully rested and after a delicious Turkish coffee and traditional breakfast of freshly baked bread, feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumber and olives we armed ourselves with our camera, LP and a bottle of water ready to take on the streets and sights of Istanbul... we were back in 'travel mode' and it felt great!!!
Over the next three days we visited and sat in contemplation at Blue Mosque, gasped at the stunning beauty of Aya Sophia, revelled in the sheer size and wealth Topkapi Palace (including the Harem), cruised the Bosphorus that splits the European and Asia continents, got lost in the depths of the Grand Bazaar, drank cup after cup of Turkish coffee, watched the locals stop and pause in prayer five times daily, ate delicious honey soaked & pistachios crusted sweets and around every corner the image of the great Ataturk greeted us. We did our best to leave as many footprints all over the city happily snapping pictures and taking in all the sights, smells and sounds of Istanbul in. In short whatever you think about Istanbul, whatever preconceived expectations you
Blue Mosque
Prayers five times a day. may have for Istanbul put them aside... Istanbul with it's rich history and optimistic future is a city that needs to be experienced first hand.
We are now off to join our overland group and are eagerly looking forward to jumping in the back of a big truck and exploring what else this country has to offer...
Until next time...
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