Time for a guest post again :(
♫♫♪ It’s Istanbul not Constantinople...nobody’s business but the Turks ♪♩
It is dusk and the call to prayer and to break fast resonates through the streets, the tummy rumbles one last time and a festive atmosphere unfolds all across the city. Unlike any other European city, Istanbul is the most unique blend of west and east. A melting pot of Islamic and Christian cultures, a city seethed in rich history, albeit some dark. I doubt few others cities can boast of as many names or identify with more influential empires (Roman/Byzantine/Ottoman).
I’ve never been more pleasantly surprised by a destination I was frankly a bit apprehensive about.
So much so, I’m led to write a nostalgic epilogue of our layover.The architecture, everyday objects like rugs and tea cups, the elaborate cuisine and the fashion are effusive of a regal identity that is distinctly Turkish. The Hagia Sophia, which was originally a church, then a mosque and then designated a museum by the visionary & founder of Turkey, Kemal Ataturk is iconic. It is widely regarded to have changed the course of architecture over time and is the model for the subsequent Süleymaniye Mosque and the famous Blue mosque. The Basilica Cistern, the Topkapi palace are but a few sights to behold the impressive grandeur of yesteryear architecture.
Equally impressive, the Turkish cuisine. To eat a full meal here is to indulge in a feast for all the senses for an outsider. Walk down the alleys of old city and treat yourself to delightfully spiced corn on the cob, roasted chestnuts , freshly squeezed pomegranate juice or the curiously sticky but yummy dondurma (ice cream). For an authentic meal, venture into the Fatih district and hang with the locals. No better time than Ramzan to visit this area. The desserts are to die for - rich, rich, rich. Did I mention everything here transports you to another time and you end up feeling like a Sultan or ponder if they had it better!
To EU or not to EU: Over some Turkish raki, we did attempt to solve that conundrum. What once seemed like a sincere conversation, it’s off the table and a remote impossibility now. Whether it was insurmountable religious differences or the thought of bordering the most volatile region on earth that was the barrier, it is tempting to think what if Turkey was a part of the EU - would there even be a migrant crisis today. Would neighboring Syria be in ruins. Or on a trivial note, in the mere interest of food, are they better off not being policed by the EU and being homogenized. In the end, what do I know. I’m just a dazed tourist who got off the plane for a meal, take in a few sights and take bath. Yes, no ordinary bath but indulge in a royal Turkish bath! There are several bath houses, some dating to the 15th century, sweat on the marble sauna, get scrubbed and massaged and you let go of any political opinions or inhibitions :)
And oh, the best part.. there's cats everywhere you turn. Cats galore!
