Claire has asked me to write up my reactions to my week in Istanbul. When I revealed my first reactions, that this place is hot and crowded, she asked me to try harder. After I acclimated myself to the heat (sort of) and shed that American expectation of personal space that simply doesn’t exist here, I was able to reflect a little more deeply upon my time here.
To someone who has only traveled in Western Europe, I found Istanbul to be a little disorienting. Parts of the city certainly look and feel like a nondescript central European neighborhood, but just as you become comfortable with this familiarity the city throws you a curveball; whether it be the call to prayer echoing through the streets or a merchants accosting you in a strange language. Scanning the faces of the throngs of people on the streets does not clarify the issue. I learned quickly that almost anyone, no matter how Caucasian they look, can be ethnically Turkish. There are even a few Turks that have hair redder than the average Irishmen. This place is truly a mix of Europe and Asia and one must become used to both the familiar and the exotic.
However, I enjoyed my time here. The people were friendly for the most part and understanding of my 10 word Turkish vocabulary. The food was excellent, though a little monotonous. I saw no foreign food beyond a few US fast food chains. One thing that is exactly the same between this city and any other historic European one is the ever present reminder of the past. That was the main draw for me and the city delivered. The city is rich in Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman art and architecture to the point that the archeology museum’s collection spills out into the gardens that surround it. Claire has documented much of what I have visited in previous posts. I’m simply going to include contribute a few photos from my time here.
Topkapi Palace
Hagia Sophia
Archeology Museum
The Remaining Aquaduct
The Golden Horn
No comments:
Post a Comment