It is a very big city, likely the largest that I've been in. They say about 17 or 18 million but then they say it may be about 20 million? They don't really know because there are a lot of refugees and others here from all over. It didn't feel that big when we first got there but within a day or two I started to realize just how big - big is!
A nice street by our hotel in the Old Town area of Istanbul
As far as dirty I didn't see any! Its one of the cleanest cities I have seen! We went to the famous Grand Bazaar and it seemed cleaner than the weekend one in Calgary so how does that work? I think that the government is trying very hard to build their tourism and change the perception of their country and believe me it is working for me!
We travelled around the city quite a bit and we used their mass transit systems like we did in about every city we have visited and this was also very clean and fancy too! They have above ground rail cars like our LRT but I think nicer. They have a 2 that go up hills one called "Tunel" (like Tunnel) and the other a "Finiculer." Then they have their underground and it is as fancy and clean as one could ever want or need. Now when you add 20 million people to the equation and see them all like we did last Sunday this in itself is simply amazing. I didn't even see any graffiti on any of the train cars... Weird but nice.
Mosques everywhere. We stayed in between 2 very large & famous ones.
This is the "Blue Mosque" named for the colored tile inside.
When in Rome do what the Roman's do has been our motto so after leaving Rome and flying into Istanbul the Monday before this we decided to carry this motto forward. We ate at local Turkish eateries and wow I had a couple of really nice meals. I love Turkish Apple Tea!
Brought back as a trophy after a war in Egypt many moons ago
Was built in 1500 BC in Egypt brought to Istanbul in 360 B.C.
The people are very friendly and when one sees the size of the place this too is amazing. Although I would guess most of them don't own cars (no road rage?). The rest travel by public transit. I can not imagine driving in this city every day, I wouldn't even think of buying a car. Driving a scooter might be easier to get around like in Italy but there's not many of them here and I suspect there is a reason... Are they all dead? All joking aside the people are very nice and friendly.
Two examples;
1. We were sitting at an outdoor cafe one day. At the table beside us were three ladies. As usual the people think we are Americans. Once we get the pleasantries out of the way they find out we are Canadian and this lady beside me (60ish?) was from Istanbul but her two friends were her Sister (60's) and Sister in law (25?) and they are from Iran. Well it became obvious to me that they hadn't had much to do with westerners because a few minutes later the younger Sister in Law was video-ing us (with her cell phone) from 5 feet away while we were just sitting there. Finally I looked into her camera and said "Hi from Canada!" She smiled and laughed although she doesn't know what I said. It was so weird at first but cute too. I asked if I could take the picture of my new friends (them) and as Murphy's Law would have it my camera battery died so it didn't work... I wish we had their picture to add to this story it was very neat. In fact it gave me the feeling that we did our part to improve international relations.
2. We got on the subway one day and Barb must have had a look on her face? We weren't sure we were going the right way. A man got on the Subway looked at us and said in English "where are you going?" We told him he said oh your going the wrong way; I can help you. Now you have to understand we are a bit leery as there are lots of scams in the big cities and Istanbul is no different. He was dressed nicely and seemed nice but we have been fooled before. As it turns out he takes us to the right subway train gets on and rides with us to make sure we got to the mall Barb needed to go to. He had to go that way also but he certainly went out of his way to help us and with out us even asking. He just knew and I appreciated him so much. What a nice man.
Here comes the Tram (LRT for those in Calgary) in Istanbul.
The nice people have far outweighed the not so nice to at least 1 million to one! I really think they are some of the nicest people over all that I have met anywhere - even when they don't want my money! I really would recommend a trip to Turkey!
Our li'l Boutique Hotel in Istanbul
As I said I didn't know what to expect here largely because I hadn't studied the area before coming. I just had one or 2 people tell me its nice in Turkey. So as a dumb westerner I guess I was expecting tents in the desert with Camels or something, but that's not even close. The people here in the big city are very modern. Its just like being anywhere else. Sitting in Starbucks they have their Laptops open working away. Sitting in nice restaurants they are there with their families or working associates. Its all the same. The more I travel the more I learn about people. Most of them are just like us! They want the same things, they do a lot of the same things and they love their families. Just like us! So not knowing where I built all this guessing from over the years (negative media?) I will be coming home with a much different perspective of life, the world and its people. It will be much more positive as well. When I think of war and conflict I look and talk to the people and they are the ones getting hurt. They are just like us... its a shame. We all want the same things. Its the Right wing crazies (we all have them in our countries and societies) that mess it all up. Add politics and what do you have. Crazy people with agendas. That makes me sad! The world is a beautiful place, I ray we do not mess it up!
The "Grand Bazaar" - Don't go unless you like Bartering and aggressive Sales People!
As noted earlier we went to a mall and it was nicer than any mall I had ever been too! There was just one thing I found a bit different. It was like going into an airport (which by the way... Is a bit different here too). As you enter the mall you are subject to emptying you pockets and placing everything on the belt and it being X-rayed as you walk through your airport style scanner. If they don't like the buzzer you give off then your subject to further search if you want in. We have the extreamists to thank for this as they have done some ugly things here too. I started thinking maybe I shouldn't be going to where westerners go (fear) because they may strike? They haven't hit here in a few years now so that was gratifying to know. So I think we can go back to Starbucks... I think?
The Istanbul Subway - Clean and Modern!
In the airport they screen everyone the same way right at the main public entrance. So even if you are not flying you get to go through the routine. I would imagine this cuts down on people hanging around airports due to all the hassles. Add to this if you are flying you get to do it one more time as per usual anywhere. So all in all I'm glad they take security seriously. Its very clear that they fly the flag here quite heavily.
Some days flying is ok? Other days is just not so ok! Waiting.....
Last Friday we saw a tank parked on one of the main streets. Found out it is used as a water cannon (water mixed with pepper spray) It was the day before May 1st which an annual day for the communist to stage a demonistration. So this year they were upping the ante on the security side and were getting ready early. I started to notice Polis everywhere and a few Federals too. Quite a few of them carry automatic machine guns as well. As my friend here said; they are not your best friend like they are in Canada.
Back to the protests. So on May 1st we stayed close to home in our area so we wouldn't get mixed up in anything as I'm told a few of them have gotten ugly over the years. I did hear that they were putting 20,000 police out at the main square that day. My friend says its intimidation when they do that here and in Canada we would call it prevention. But I think they have their reasons.
Polis on Patrol - Many times on BMW's and always in pairs!
The ocean and Bosphorus river are almost everywhere to see and I like the views. Lots of boats, some nice yachts too. Saw one Navy Ship and a few helicopters patrolling. Tons of cargo ships waiting their turn out in the bay and I mean lots! I have never seen so many cargo ships anchored anywhere!
This city dates back to the 7th century BC...... amazing!! It's interesting to see the mix of ancient and very modern. You really can have a selection of things to do and see and we probably needed another week to still just cover the basics, but as we are, the big city started to get on our nerves just because Barb and I don't do well that way - we are small town folk from Cochrane! One day in particular I was having a kidney stone attack and we were coming back to the old town where we were staying. There were so many people out and about my face was pressed against the glass of the sliding doors of the train - I had a good seat but it hurt a bit when the door slid open pinching my lips! (just joking). But it was very tight.
Barb relaxing on our Roof Top Terrace in Istanbul (note the ocean out back).
So to say all that and finish up Istanbul this way. It is a very cosmopolitan city. Clean, modern (free WiFi) and in many respects beautiful. The line ups are like Italy & Spain, (no such thing as being ahead of anyone in the line) but they aren't as pushy here. You do have to fight for position though! Hahaha.
Where are we?
If you look at the top of Turkey near Bulgaria you will see Istanbul.
If you go straight down but above where it says Mediterranean Sea you will see an airport near the coast.
Next stop Kalkan is 1.5 hours south (towards the bottom) towards the tip of the land on the SW corner.
Close to many Greek Islands where we will likely head next
Note: Syria, Iraq, Iran, Armenia and Georgia next to us, as our favorite travel writer says, "This isn't Mr. Rogers neighborhood". What a shame, Turkey is wonderful!
Well we're almost at 4 months now. I just thought of something. When I went to basic training (6 months) many years ago I was terribly home-sick at times and as I recall other times wanting to quit and come home. With this 6 months - I did get home sick a couple of times in the first two months. Not now though, I'm getting used to being away and calling my back pack & suitcase home. I don't want to quit now - I want to travel more! There is so much to see and so many people left to meet! We love it!
I have to say though its been too long without our friends and family. We do miss you all. I believe as planned before, we will be home mid July sometime after it quits snowing!
NEXT STOP: Kalkan, Turkey.
Down on the SW coast.
I don't know any Turkish yet so I will say Ciao!
Jim for Jim and Barb
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