Istanbul Today

Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul
March 10th 2010

Published: March 10th 2010

Istanbul Today This is our third blog during our month in Istanbul. The first focused on the Byzantine sights in Istanbul, the second on the Ottoman sights. This blog focuses on Istanbul today, and our daily, personal experiences here. But first May, the woman who doesn’t really like to travel, is going to share with us why she likes to travel. Thoughts on why travel is good By May, the w... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 63, Displayed: 21

Bike Shop Across from Apartment

This is what the street right outside our apartment looks like.

Somewhere in Istanbul

Crumbling Houses

Istanbul is one of the crumblier cities we've ever seen. You come across houses that are almost in ruins.

Cats are everywhere in Istanbul. They seem to be semi-stray, but people feed them and love them communally.

Our Restaurant

This is our favorite restaurant, two minutes from us. Ella and Paul eat chicken sandwiches; May eats lentil soup. Mmmm.

Borek, Pide, and Turkish Tea

Quick and delicious lunch

Streetside Goat

This was not typical. Once we were on this backstreet, and there was this goat peering out of a house. Urban agriculture, I guess.

Tanker on the Bosphoros

Meal at a Lokantasi

Lokantasi are the equivalent of a cafeteria in the Southern US, except of course the food is Turkish rather than Southern.

Waiting for a Ferry

Breakfast in Our Apartment

Headscarves for Sale

Dolmbahce Palace

This was a big Ottoman Palace we went to, sort of like the Biltmore House.

Man and Dresses

School Group

View from Galata Tower

There is a big tower from the 1300s right up from our apartment, and this is the view from the top.

View from Galata Tower

10th March 2010

marian
non-member comment

Istanbul today
May's thoughts about travel were thought provoking. And Paul's history helped me fill in gaps. I never realized that the pro-Islamic party is currently in power. I remember when it emerged to take part in an election (must have been 2002) there were fears that it would bring Turkey a religious dictatorship sort of like Iran. But Turkey as I remember is Sunni--Islam without the hierarchy that Shiites have. Good thoughts. Gran

11th March 2010

Louisa Goebel
non-member comment

Istanbul today
I wrote a comment, then let Paul read this. Now I can't remember if I sent the comment. Now you know my mind is deteriorating at an alarming rate while you have been gone! We have enjoyed your blogs so much. You have really been educating us! I hesitate to send this blog to our children because they will immediately leave and live abroad next year! Sorry Jordan has had some problems there, but I am not surprised--she is so attractive! The power of the press is disturbing in every country, I do believe!Love, Louisa and Paul

11th March 2010

Marion
non-member comment

thanks for the thoughts
I really appreciate your thoughts May. I travelled so much earlier in my life but have been States bound for a while. And while the moves I've made have been challenging for different reasons, I long to break out of the dull and comfortable. Continued safe travels! Marion

12th March 2010

Doris
non-member comment

Istanbul today
May, I love your thoughts on travel. I have always thought that you learn more traveling for a week than taking classes for a year. Home is more comfortable especially as one gets older, but traveling somewhere new is so exciting and so much fun. I never thought of Istanbul as being at the top of my travel wants, but Patsy and the rest of you have made it sound like a wonderful destination. I'm sorry Jordan has had to experience such rudeness......but, I guess that too is a learning experience. Love to all, Doris

13th March 2010

Megan
non-member comment

I appreciate your comments on time and the to-do lists, May. Your ability to let travel be your teacher is wonderful. I also hear your eagerness to walk the hills of your own local neighborhood. Paul, thanks for sharing history and current realities of life in Istanbul. We miss you and send Ella and Jordan love too. Megan and the gang

26th March 2010

Debby Genz
non-member comment

Fun to hear your views
Hi Paul, Deb Scott just turned me onto your blog and I so enjoyed reading this, my first entry. Richard and i also visited Istanbul when we were in Ukraine, and loved it's variety, old + new comos, etc. And May's reflections on taking yourself out of your comfort zone to wake yourself up again are so right! Stay open, enjoy the adventure!

Tot: 0.049s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 7; qc: 20; dbt: 0.0258s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.1mb

Do not copy images or text from this page without requesting and receiving permission. All rights are reserved by the author and photographer.

Contact The Castelloes (PMJEinAsia) - a lack of a response does not mean that you have permission to use material from this page.

Istanbul Today

Copyright Notice: All Rights Reserved