Mystic Asia meets modern Europe... Islamic culture meets a modern outlook.... That's what Istanbul is all about... very different from what you would expect from this city. Everyone and anyone who I know who has visited this city, has loved it, and so did I!
There is something about this city, which is different from any other place you may visit. Maybe its this aura of mysticism, the history which comes out everywhere from everything there.. (Something is there, which I couldn't figure out...). Istanbul is a bustling and lively city, with lots to explore, mosques, churches, shopping lanes, historic buildings etc. Its full of history too, you will find history from the BC years to today in the city. Somehow Istanbul has been at the centre of many major happenings in the world, be it Christianity, Islam, the World Wars, everything, and it has a lot to show for each period of history. This obelisk near the Blue Mosque is from the BC years (I think from Egypt).
The city is actually divided into two parts by the Bosphorus, one part is in Europe and one in Asia. The old part of the city, called Sultan Ahmet is where most of the tourist attractions are located. The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are one of the biggest attractions of the city. The Blue Mosque is majestic, very symmetric in its architecture, and artistically painted on the inside.
The gardens outside the mosque are very well maintained too, with tulips being the highlight. In fact, the Turkish claim that even though Netherlands has become famous for tulips, it was in Turkey that this beautiful flower originated. Hence the government has gone on an overdrive to promote this flower across the city. You can see them in various hues, and colours, pink, orange, purple and they are a delight to watch, spread across the city.
Hagia Sophia is a marvel. Its difficult to believe that its so old and still standing! (Built in the 500s AD). What was built as a church, was then converted to a mosque and is now a museum. You can see all the stages of the Hagia history (as well as Turkey's) in this building.
There are many many such similar historical spots to visit, the Topkaki palace,the Sultan Ahmet mosque, the Underground cistern etc.
All these are places you would enjoy if you enjoy history, otherwise after the first spot, the rest may all look the same to you.The view from the palace, overlooking the golden horn is enjoyable. Take a cruise on the Bosphorus, you see many of the castles, and other palaces, as well as the difference between the Asian and the European side during the cruise.
The history of Istanbul is interesting too. From Byzantium (the old Greek capital) to Constantinople, to the Ottoman capital and to Istanbul now, from the centre of Christianity, to the centre of the Muslim world, to a secular country in today's world. The father of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal 'Ataturk' declared the country secular, and so it has been since the time he became President. In fact, he even changed the script of the country, from the Arabic script to the Roman script (even though the language remained the same!). Its said that in one day, the entire population of Turkey became illiterate, thanks to his changing the script in which Turkish was written.
Even though Ataturk brought the country on the path to modernisation, the sense that I got from talking to people there was that they thought he had gone to the other extreme. Some people were not too happy about the secular status either, as religion gets quite a second grade treatment in the country.Also, that Turkey was bending on its knees, trying to get into the EU, and being what it wasn't just to get an entrance into the club. Maybe the people are not as keen today as they were before, about the EU membership.
The view of the city, at both sides of the Bosphorus is stunning,
especially at night. There are many mosques across the city, all built on hills and quite similar. The panoramic views of the city are mesmerising... This is what it was many years ago...
The party area of the city is the Taksin area. A wide street, with a tram running in between, very lively, full of people, shopping and partying areas on both sides and awesome eating places. Good timepass!
Go to the 360 degrees restaurant for an aerial view of the city at night. Apparently the party scene in Istanbul is very lively, the street sure does look so! A famous club is the Laila club, next to the Bosphorus and Roxy. Try it if you land up in Istanbul sometime.
And the flower market at the start of the Takshin street is amazing, you get to see blue and green and purple roses there.
Food is good in Turkey, even if you are vegetarian, you can use some permutations and combinations, and get a vegetarian version of the cuisine. One drink to surely try, is the ayron. Its tasty, similar to lassi. Was quite a lifesaver! Another drink to try is the tea, in the cafes strewn around everywhere in the city, especially in the Turkish cups! The cups are a good buy too, they come in varying designs and are elaborately decorated.
You must go to the the Grand Bazaar, its in the Sultan Ahmet area itself. Its a completely covered bazaar, selling flea market stuff. The lights, the colours, the bargains! That's enough for any shopper or non-shopper to enjoy this place. Bargaining is rampant, and lots of handicrafts and local stuff sold here. A sure must-go.
Bargaining is rampant everywhere in the city actually, even the hotels too! Its a city where you need to be careful about your money. We were swindled by each and every taxi driver, either they swap your currency notes for lower denomination, or do not give back change or meters are doctored or the taxi meters are not restarted. Any and every trick that could have been used, was used on us. Also the taxi drivers are one of the rashest I have seen anywhere. You really need to hold on to your seat while they zig-zag along the roads!
Three days surely wasnt enough for this city, which has so much to offer! So much history and culture to assimilate, the more time you have in the city, the better it is. I for sure am going there again...
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