A Turkish Delight

A smooth flight from Athens had landed us in the heart of Istanbul. From getting off the plane, you could already tell this place meant business. The size of the airport was astronomical! Without a doubt the biggest I have ever been to. Thousands of people trying to find one of the several customs that separated us from the mystery of Turkey. However, very limited customs were actually accepting people. A bit frantic as these lines started to overfill with people, and workers started to direct the latecomers to new lines, which were quickly filled, leading to the same issue. Fortunately, after about 3 goes, we finally were in the queue for customs, and with no troubles, we were in!

We walk straight for the train as that is the only way for us to get into Istanbul. Already, the language barrier was a challenge as we struggled to get tickets. However, there was comfort in numbers, as we weren’t the only ones. A few minutes passed and we successfully navigated the ticket machine, and we were off! And before we knew it, we were in the Istanbul metro system… at peak hour. MY GOD. Istanbul has a population of 15 million, and it was certainly showing. It was like a stampede! You enter the line, and you just keep walking. You don’t know where to, you just do. You literally could not stop for a second otherwise someone would be up your ass. Why not just walk to the side? You couldn’t. Someone is already there. The only time for a break is once you get into an open area where there are convenient stores and pop-up markets. This was the only time we could escape the hustle. I will never forget this introduction to Turkey, as it was one of the most 0 - 100 moments I’ve felt. Absolutely incredible way to start!

We survive the race to get out, and walk up the stairs to be confronted with the most bizarre view of the city. It was AMAZING!!! I am one that can appreciate natural beauty… this was not it. This was a beauty that shares no similarity to Sydney other than the concrete jungle it was with the intrusion of water. It was different. It was the things you travel for. The shock, the unfamiliarity, the discomfort. You feel as if you’re just another pawn in a king’s game. It was amazing. The sky was grey and overcast filled with the constant smoke that left the lips of the Turks. The three Mosque’s which I could not identify at the time waved the mansion-sized Turkish flag that once stood over the Ottoman Empire. The crows were vultures who took any chance to enjoy the scraps scattered across the uneven bricks of Istanbul. The smell was not fresh, but smokey, and it never changed until we left. But we weren’t leaving any time soon! Our 3 days in Istanbul have just begun!

We enter our hotel room to find it is one big room with two beds, separated by a divider. As expected. Now, we were hungry! Our hotel rested on a 10% gradient road, so if we were to eat, we were to deserve it. So we marched up the street to begin our search. A Doner Kebab, perhaps? No no… We decided to go to a compelling Turkish mans restaurant who charmed us with his Chicken Pickled Sandwich. The sandwich, did not share the same charisma and delight the Turkish man observed. It was weak. It was not dry in nature but in taste. It was 5 Australian Dollars, yet we still feel as if we were ripped off. However, the man was warm and comforting… a good salesperson he is. No disgust was shown on our faces, only by the remains of what we left on the plate. Fortunately, a beer washed it down quite nicely and all was forgiven. A lovely introduction to Turkish cuisine.

Our next few days were action packed. The Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, the Grand Bazaar. All places of historical important and accomplishment. Established as an Eastern Roman capital of Constantinople, to the fortress forged by the Ottomans known by it’s current day name, this city was filled with history. A city that lacked no tales, only fresh air.

Fortunately, the Ottomans have a knack for Tea and Coffee. A not-so-quiet place but a secluded area was a cafe sheltered by the Galata Tower. With 8 tables with 2-3 chairs to each, My girlfriend and I decided to rest there. A Turkish coffee was $2 Australian Dollars, and the tea was $1 Australian dollar. A very economical place for tourists! It was a beautiful spot and only up the hill from our hotel.

But no time for rest! Shopping was inevitable, and what better place to shop for lollies than Turkey? So we began our struggle up another hill. Twice as long as the hill we walked to get our sandwich earlier. It was a mere extension of what we had already overcome. I guess that's why all the lollies were at the top! Once at the top, hundreds of treat shops parralled each other. It felt as if it was the same shop for a 2-kilometre stretch. We weren’t complaining. We entered a few and found that they would give samples of certain flavours if we asked. Us being on a budget, decided to take advantage of this and go from shop to shop asking for little slices. Specifically of Turkish Nougat. We were loving it! Pistacchio, Cookies and Cream, Apple, you name it, it was there. Yummy. So yummy, that Carly (my girlfriend), without saying anything, bought 2 logs of Nougart at a cost of $7 Australian each. Definitely a surprise as we had a plan, and that was not it! So it turns out the Turkish lolly sellers got us in the end. However, It was no time to be angry, as Eurovision was on that night again! And so we watched… and had our nougat, and had our chips, and had our beer. As our excitement grew for Eurovision, so did our bellies.

Istanbul is not a place I would live in due to the secondhand smoke that filled its streets but without a doubt a place I recommend to anyone looking to get a view from the other side of things. A cultural opposite to Australia, it was a fantastic experience that we got to enjoy.

Now from the darkened city of Istanbul, back to the sun rich and water filled town of Dubrovnik, Croatia. Elveda!

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