Musings from the Rooftop Istanbul to Barcelona

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Eight thousand years! Humans have lived on this spot for eight thousand years. This thought kept running through my mind as I sat on the roof top terrace of our hotel in Istanbul. Below, the Bosphorus shimmered like buffed silver. Across the water Asia disappeared into the gloom of night. The setting sun brushed the clouds with pink, softening the breathtaking outline of the Blue Mosque on the hill above. I could well understand why we humans had chosen this spot so early in our history.
We came to Istanbul three days early because we enjoy this city with its bustling streets, colorful energetic markets and charming people. And especially for the shopping…a theatrical experience as old as the city itself. Whether you are interested in rugs, jewelry, leather or purses the shopping here will challenge you. No matter how clever you think you are, how skilled at bargaining you are…in the end you will pay what the merchant expects you to pay. That’s where the eight thousand years of experience pay off.
Once you accept this as fact you can slip into the role of willing participant in this ancient art and then slow down to enjoy the theatricality of the process. Smile and respond to the questions and invitations that bombard you from all sides. Sit and have tea with merchants, discuss families and homes, argue over the quality of the merchandise but always in good humor. Don't be in a rush and don't be rude. Who knows, you may come home with a treasure that will be as much about the item as it is about the experience. After all isn’t that is what travel is all about?
This brings to mind the differences between a tourist and a traveler. The difference is not about a list of where you have been but rather how you experienced all the places you have been. Tourists seem to always be working with lists…lists of where they have been , lists of where they are going, lists of what to see, lists of what they expect to see and , most perplexing, lists of what they didn’t like or what didn’t live up to their expectations. Travelers are usually open to what the day brings and can relish an afternoon just spent sitting in a sidewalk café watching the local scene.
When things go wrong (and they will) tourists tend to become table thumpers and shouters while travelers will laugh and wait for things to sort themselves out (and they usually do). So far on this cruise to Barcelona we are about half and half tourists and travelers on the ship. It isn’t difficult to see which is having the better time.
I hope you like our new format. Feedback is always welcome.
Harry and Connie
Next: Turkish and Greek ports of call

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Comments

[Julia]

Travelling rather than touristing - nice! :)
I loved to read your first article about the vibrating experience in Istanbul, Harry, great read. Thank you for sharing with us, looking forward to more :)