Sign In
Blogs from Istanbul, Marmara, Turkey, Middle East - page 5
Advertisement
October 16th 2012
I had another full day in Istanbul. This morning I journeyed to the Chora Church. It is from Byzantine times and is famous for its ceiling mosaics depicting Jesus and the Virgin Mary in various Bible scenes. (See picture) The church is just a couple of blocks away from the old Constantinople land walls. These impressive walls are something I have wanted to see for a long time, so I was particularly gratified to be able to climb on top and view them up close. Large sections are still in remarkably good condition. (See picture) I followed the walls down to the Golden Horn where I took a taxi to Pierre Loti Café. This Istanbul landmark offers fabulous views over the Golden Horn and out to the Bosphorous. (See picture) I sipped tea and then strolled ... read more
October 15th 2012
This morning I explored more of Istanbul's Old Town. I started by walking through the Grand Bazaar. It is a covered warren of over 4000 little shops selling a wide variety of merchandise. It reminded me of the Arab souk in Jerusalem, but vastly larger. I was pleased to see men selling tea from trays that they hold by gimbals in their hand. (See picture) I had heard about this and am glad to know that the tradition continues. After the bazaar, I walked over to the mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent. He was a 16th century contemporary of Henry VIII of England and he was the greatest Sultan in the history of the Ottoman empire. His mosque is the one I can see from my apartment window, so I was especially interested to visit it. ... read more
October 14th 2012
Today I did more Rick Steves' walks. Early this morning I started out on the waterfront and it was interesting to see the commercial fishermen with their catch displayed for sale. One knew it was fresh because some of the fish were still swimming around in large buckets! I walked across the Galata Bridge, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells including the many casual fishermen who were dangling a line off the side of the bridge. (See picture) As I walked, I listened to Rick's commentary on the Golden Horn and Istanbul's important location on the Bosphorous between the Black Sea in the Mediterranean. I stopped at a street vendor and bought a "simit" which is a circular bread, somewhat smaller than a bagel. I chose one with sesame seeds, which I believe is traditional, ... read more
October 13th 2012
I made it into Istanbul last night, albeit two hours later than I anticipated. My apartment is nice, but is not very soundproof. I can hear seagulls in the evening and people walking down on the street. This morning, at 5:30, I was awakened by the Muslim call to prayer as it was chanted from a nearby minaret. I was expecting it, however, and found it a romantic evocation of the Orient rather than a nuisance. Besides, the call does not go on very long and I simply rolled over and went back to sleep. Later, after I was up and dressed, I took the tram to the main historic/tourist area. I followed Rick Steves walking tour of the area, listening on my iPod. I visited the gigantic underground cistern, built in Byzantine times for water ... read more
Istanbul - One of the World's Oldest Cities
Published: October 12th 2012Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul
October 12th 2012
September 28 - October 6, 2012 Fly out from Dulles Washington International Airport @ 11:25 PM. 10 Hours Flight Time and Arrived at Ataturk Istanbul International Airport. From there to the Hotel, Easy Metro and Tram Access arrived at Hotel PamPhylia in the Old City area just steps away from the Topkapi Palace. The city of Constantinople dating back to 660 BC as Byzantine Empire, the City that Old and New are quietly coexisting, the city smells like Fish and Incense from the Mosques, the City that I Fell In Love with.... Only the people in Istanbul can walk right pass by the great walls, palaces, and the aqueducts built 3000 years go like they were just built yesterday. All the Friendly Faces and Cheap Food on the Streets and the humming sounds echoing through the ... read more
Advertisement
The gateway to Asia
Published: October 10th 2012Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul » Sultanahmet
October 10th 2012
The flight All I can say is thumbs up for Turkish Airlines. Even though we took off 20 minutes after schedule and had quite a few scary turbulances, we arrived well in time at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. The flight took about 2,5 hours and it was pretty much filled with on board service including a hot meal, soft drinks, beer, wine, tea and coffee. And then, right on time for sunset, we arrived in the former city of Constantinople. Getting away from the airport Typical for a big city, it's pretty easy to get from the airport to the city center. Even a lot easier and remarkably cheaper than any other European city I've been to so far. Basically just follow the Metro (Subway) signs until you arrive at the gates that take you to the ... read more
Please, no more breasts.
Published: October 20th 2012Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul » Kadıköy
October 6th 2012
The air was thick with heat as I stumbled through the steam; I craved fresh crisp and cool air, instead I struggled to inhale the sticky moisture. My knees easily bought my body to the ground as I desperately reached for the basin. I greedily used bucket after bucket of icy water, however nothing could stop my skin burning. The door was just ahead, no more than a few paces. I pulled myself to my feet feeling every inch of my weight, forcing one foot in front of another my mind swirled and my head swayed. I was so close yet the battle was lost, as feel into the blackness, I reached out to catch myself though I felt nothing. *I floated into the void as my blood spilled around me, suspended around my ... read more
October 1st 2012
Hey I know you, I’ve seen you on TV, you are Beyoncé (sometimes Rihanna) right? Hey ‘Chocolate Face’, how are you? Can I have your number? These are the type of comments I got while in Istanbul, Turkey. Sometimes I loved it and sometimes it irritated me. Visiting Istanbul was a huge transition for me since the countries I’ve visited in the past were always in West Africa, Latin America or the Caribbean. Therefore, for the first time in my life, I couldn’t speak the language of the country I was visiting. L But I survived my 7 days’ vacation. Although Istanbul is not the capital of Turkey, it has the largest population in Turkey – about 13million people. Let me tell you 5 reasons why you should visit Istanbul: 1. Good Food: Turkey ... read more
Istanbul Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Published: September 17th 2012Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul
September 16th 2012
Three days in Istanbul Easy to get to the Sophia Hagia. Just walk across the street. This is the oldest mosque and now deconsecrated and a museum. It dates from the 500's and probably the oldest building we have ever been in. It has a beautiful dome which was the biggest dome in the world for hundreds of years until the one in Florence. The walls are covered in gorgeous tiles and mosaics. The Blue Mosque, more famous but younger in an old way and a working or should I say praying mosque is just across the other side of the square. Here we have to cover ourselves, legs shoulders and heads but don't worry they have the have the means to help us. Also we have to remove our shoes.The word blue becomes obvious inside ... read more
September 12th 2012
Ok Toto, it's fair to say, I don't think we are in Kansas anymore! Arrived at midnight, thank goodness for the transfer. Young Man explaining to me that my husband phoned ahead especially to have the roses painted on the side car for his beautiful wife with the accompanying hand kissing of yourself. Now I remember .... The italians learnt the art of seduction of the Turkish man .So after the pilot telling us that everybody needs visas and seeing everyone run to the cue for the visas. Waiting in the cue seeing Australians and Canadian needing US$60 visas and starting to think uncharitable thoughts about Denise - hello we get to the front of the cue and hand over the passports only to be told NZ's - oh they nice people no visa required. so ... read more
