Istanbul

Click on the link above to see my photos from my Easter weekend in Istanbul with Marja and Maggan.

We had an excellent time visiting the sights and delights of the Turkish city of Istanbul. I was pleasantly surprised how easy-going the people were, too many prejudices on my side I think. But then even the Lonely Planet did warn of men's behaviour towards Western girls that we didn't get at all. The turks were all very friendly and even the sales attempts were quite feeble. If I had stayed a few more days I would be fully comfortable to bargain away but I am a bit shy in the beginning as always. However, there was a predominance of men on the streets and few women were to be seen. And the women we did see dressed in all fashions from conservative as on the photo of the Blue Mosque above, to fully Westernized. But I must say that I didn't get much attention at all, maybe they don't like short blond hair?

But we all came home with a carpet each thanks to the charming genuine Kurd in one of the carpet shops below the Blue Mosque. We spent many times drinking tea admiring the silk carpets that would change color every time they were whipped through the air by Mr Carpet. We also had a very charming waiter in Beyoglu who gave us plenty freebies, like Raki and his colleague's mom's homemade cheese, a fantastic feta with herbs. We also had plenty of tea everywhere, cay and apple tea and every other tea under the sun. We also tried some Turkish coffee while we checked out the Grand Bazaar.

Otherwise I tried all the kebabs I could in search of a better kebab or lahmacun than I can get at my local ocakbasi here in London. Unfortunately this was an impossible quest as the food at Best Mangal beats most Turkish food I've had by a mile! And was it expensive! I thought the prices of such food would be quite low but we had problems finding any food under a fiver anywhere, most of it was dearer than expected. And none of the food was piping hot, most of it barely lukewarm! But I did have a wonderful kebeb on yoghurt and bread for lunch for only YTL4 or £2, I suppose the price goes up slightly when you want to sit down, rather than grab a quick döner on the run. Not even the baklava was very nice! And I didn't get to eat any börek at all to my great disappointment. But I suppose the homemade ones I had once were unbeatable too!