Magical Meeting place of East and West – Istanbul, Turkey!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.

Life throws at you a lot of opportunities and also gives you setbacks, which is a learning curve and lessons to be learnt. After a couple of setbacks in Life, I too realized many things. At the crossroads of Life the BIG question I asked myself was, what are the things I wish to do and not have any regrets in the Future? One of them was to explore the world and travel to different places. It was all about knowing the UNKNOWN. Travelling is all about bringing home a collage of memories, meeting new people from different walks of life, exploring the various places, cultures and their way of living.

This one question made me take a step into travelling around the world on my own and alone. It’s not that I have not travelled earlier but it’s always been with Family. But last year, around this time I decided to venture out all by myself.

I believe travel is a good education and I wish to share my experience.

I’ll be honest. There had been a few times where I second guessed myself while doing my bookings, wondering if I would be safe or if there would be any chance of me being harassed or attacked. The day before I went on my first trip alone I felt bit jittery, wondering what the hell I was about to embark on, and if I would regret it. But there are many things you do learn. Things like independence, patience, understanding, appreciation, cultural immersion, feeling out of your comfort zone, budgeting etc.

And today I am glad I took that step!

I decided to visit Istanbul, Turkey. Well the choice was obvious since I also had an opportunity to attend a conference in Istanbul with regards to my work. So, there begins my Journey…

I book my flight and hotel and Google the places to visit in Istanbul. The standard “to do things” list pops up. So I make a note of them just as a ready reckoner but the idea is to explore the place in an unconventional way as per my choice and desire.

I had decided to stay for a week, where 2 days would go in the conference and the rest was for me to explore the city. I was excited. Finally the day arrives when I board Turkish airlines for a 7 hours journey to Istanbul. The new terminal of Mumbai International Airport looks brilliant and a complete makeover matching the standards of any other international airports. Kudos to the developers – GVK group!

While enjoying a cup of coffee, some refreshments and reading one of my favorite author’s recent Novel, I wait in the lounge to begin my trip. I like the timings of Turkish Airlines as it lands in Istanbul early morning which doesn’t waste your day.

On landing at Ataturk Airport, I am soon done with immigrations and baggage claim and I step out to a whole new world. First things first, needed to find an exchange to get some local currency – Turkish Lira! I then take a taxi to the hotel. The weather was freezing cold as was early-November. I put on my red long coat, happily flaunting it like the little red riding hood…Lol :)

Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is a home to diverse cultures merging in harmony and bridging two continents. This unique city is located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea which bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. The cultural infusion of various communities, modern influences, traditional values and its historical timeline makes this bustling metropolis, so welcoming for me.

My Hotel, situated right in the heart of the city is located in Taksim area. In midst of the hustle and bustle in the city center, as I reach the hotel, a tall, well - built bell boy welcomes at the entrance greeting you "Good day" with a huge smile! I check in and settle down. Unwind and enjoy the lavish continental breakfast.

As I plan to begin my day, I do some surfing and a quick call to the concierge to get some off- hand information for places to move around to plan my stay. There goes the big list, but the hotel concierge gave me some good tips to try the local cuisines to experience the authenticity.

And am all set to explore the city….

I start by a local walk around the Taksim square, which is famed for many hotels and restaurants. It’s a major tourist and leisure district. Many restaurants are found on the Istiklal Street. The place looks full of life and is the modern face of the city. Live music, shopping and food joints, that’s what makes the place liven up. The trip gets more exciting as I look forward to exploring the history and visiting the historic places too….

BAKLAVA

Turkey is famous for its Kebabs and teas. But it’s a vegetarian heaven too. I being a vegetarian still had lots of options to try. To begin with I had the Mezzes and then Dolmas, Doner, Gozleme Simit, Pide, Lahmacun – All Meat free!!! Finally to satiate your sweet tooth, one can relish the Bakhlavas and Turkish delights. They are a treat and a must try.

The Mezzes are so plentiful and delicious that it’s easy to make a meal out of it. After a delightful meal and a good stroll around, I end my day relaxing at the hotel and with an enchanting evening at the lounge. Sipping a nice drink, A Margherita! I reminisce the day’s experience and a flash of pictures run through my thoughts. I decide to go to bed soon to have a good rest, cover up the jet lag, before I begin a busy day at the conference.

The two days at the conference were hectic and had a chance to meet so many people from the Industry all from different walks of Life. To my surprise, I was the only one from my country, representing not only my company but India too. It was feeling of pride to talk about India and its developments and the possibilities to extend business and trade. It was a wonderful experience for me. My confidence was boosted even more on the warm welcome. I was invited for trade parties. The evenings passed by networking at these cocktail parties at the finest lounges and clubs. During one of the dinners we went to the local and a popular restaurant. Not only the ambience but the food too was authentic and traditional. To top it all there was local dance and music and to my surprise, there was a troop of dancers dancing on Asian music, one of it was an Indian Bollywood number!!!

After the conference, the next day, with a local city map and my DSLR I set myself rolling on to begin my journey to explore the historic side of Istanbul. Something I was really looking forward to. I visited the the Old City which reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. When you travel to Istanbul, one of the many sites you won't want to miss is Topkapi Palace. Once home to many generations of sultans, the palace is filled with opulent gardens and courtyards, plush Turkish baths, and a secluded former harem, all overlooking the gorgeous Sea of Marmara.

The next stop was the famous Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. I marvelled at the ancient Domes. The city’s greatest works of imperial architecture never ceased to impress me. It’s a jaw dropping experience to view these monuments from inside as you look up and around. The blue mosque has been named due to the blue tiles inside. Its six minarets dominates the skyline of Istanbul. My eyes were fixed staring at the opulence of the sumptuous décor and glimpses of splendour of the once ruling Empire. It’s fascinating to see this rich heritage. While Turkey is predominantly a Muslim country, it has a surprisingly long Jewish history.

I visited the Dolmabache Palace. It’s a beautiful palace right by the Bosphorus strait on the waterfront. It is one the most glamorous palaces of the world. I hopped on to a boat ride on the Bosphorus. It was one of the best way to get the feel of Istanbul and a highly recommended attraction. Something one shouldn’t miss! Taking this boat ride up the strait, one passes through the scenic waterfront neighbourhoods and fortresses. How cosmopolitan is it to spend the morning in Europe and the afternoon in Asia, by the ferry ride. One of the peculiar things I found right in the middle of the Bosphorus is the Suada Club. An island which hosts the famous people from around the world, has the most happening night clubs, coffee shops, restaurants and a swimming pool. How unique does that sound?

Suada Club

The Galata Tower is a landmark of Istanbul. It’s a light house and an observatory. However, I chose to skip it and went further on passing by the Galata Bridge. As I wanted to do some fun things which are less touristy, what caught my eyes was viewing dozens of local men standing along the top of the bridge and fishing over the edge. It was an incredible sight. People spend hours hoping to catch some fresh sea food. There is also a fish market at the base of the bridge. It’s a fun filled experience to go cycling down the streets of the city and onto this bridge.

One of the lesser known Gem is the Basilica Cistern. Its an underground water reservoir built centuries ago. It has hundreds of columns and is dimly lit. Looks and sounds a bit spooky, with the sound of water dripping in the background. As you tread through the walkways you can watch the fish swim in between.

Now was the time to rejuvenate oneself and experience the Turkish Bath – Hamam! After a long day of walking, how relaxing is it to unwind in a steamy room on a hot marble and then a brisk body scrub. It’s a different and soothing experience.

One of the divine experiences is to view the Sama Ritual. It’s an ancient Sufi ceremony. One witnesses the spiritual beauty of unique recitations.

Lastly some shopping time…so I headed to the Grand bazaar which is the largest and oldest covered market in the world. It has thousands of shops selling the local delights. One can have access to Lampshades, copper and ceramic ware, Turkish Handicrafts, the famous Evil Eye, gift shops, Turkish tea sets, Hookah, dates, spices, Turkish delights, and many more. I really liked the Tea cups and the hand painted ceramic crockery. I finally picked up some momento to take back home. It was the most exciting shopping experience and I could spend hours together walking through the streets.

 

Like Turkey, India too is known for its Kashmiri Carpets. The thought of buying a Carpet/ rug never crossed my mind. However, I was excited to see the making of it. So I visited the carpet showroom. Carpet shopping is traditionally a social experience. The warm welcome you receive, served with the Turkish tea and soon its raining carpets. The colors and design cascade in front of you. One after the other they catch your eyes. Its also a joy to see how these carpets are woven. Carpet weaving is a cottage industry and has been passed on through generations in the families that belong here.

And finally the day arrives when I bid adieu to this wonderful city, with memories to cherish forever. I made many friends on this trip. It was truly an admirable stay!