Istanbul , (was once called Constantinople), it was a city I always wanted to travel to. There are about 15 million people that live here. Every where you go it is crowded.
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We were on a ship that went from the Aegean Sea and through the Straits of the Dardanelles and into the Black Sea. As we approached the City, the sun was setting and I could see the Mosques and Minarets that were like silhouettes against the red and yellow sky. It’s the only city in the world that spans two continents. One third of its people live in Asia and it is Europe’s largest city! Turkish money is Yeni Türk Lirasi, (the Turkish Lira). You need a passport and a visa to enter Turkey. If you want to use the internet our hotel had a free broadband for guests to use. I couldn't use it because the Turkish letters are different than English and my password wasn't recognized. The current is the 220v AC with a plug socket. The city is in three parts, two in Europe and one across the entrance to the Bosporus in Asia. The two European parts are separated by a stretch of water called The Golden Horn. This is an elongated bay that has several bridges crossing it The most famous are the Galata and the Atatürk Bridges. These both carry road and pedestrian traffic, and the newer Galata Bridge carries Istanbul’s smart new trams down the center as well as having a lower deck with a promenade brimming with fish restaurants, and a thousand invites to look at menus. The southern half of the European side is really the site of the original Constantinople, eastern hub of the Roman Empire.
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Favourite spots: |
The southern half of the European side is really the site of the original Constantinople where there are cobbled streets and quaint clapperboard houses, many that have been converted into small hotels for tourists. The Aghia Sophia, (St. Sophia), was a church but now has been converted to a mosque and a museum. There were electric lamps hang in hundreds from the ceiling to just above your head. The walls are blue Islamic patterns. You have to take your shoes off and leave them by the entrance, (you are no obliged to wear them as a visitor), both men and women should have their shoulders covered and wear something on their head. If you are a visitor you will be handed some socks to wear, but I always bring my own, because I'd never put my feet in some one else socks. Everyone prays on rugs that are facing Mecca. Please don't make noise during the prayers.
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What's really great: |
The Rahmi M Koç Museum is and industrialmusuem They have a collection of vintage American cars, trains, aircraft. Even the car park has a Douglas DC-3 Dakota on a tripod and a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter We went to see the UFO Museum. It is the only UFO Museum in Asia. They built it because were more UFO's seen in Turkey than any other place in Asia. We visited the Library, Museum and saw a Video show. I wanted to see the display because I've seen 3 They also have a truck display that goes to schools in Turkey.
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Sights: |
We only went one to one place in the afternoon and that was The Grand Bazaar. Like all Bazaars in the Middle East, it is in the western part of the City. There were a huge amount Stalls that sold leather items, gold Jewelry, and the famous Turkish Carpets. I saw a pair of cymbals that they Belly Dancers put on their fingers. I slipped them on to mine and began to do a Belly Dance. A lot of people ran up to the booth to see what I was doing. Then they began to ask the owner for pair cymbsals. He sold so many he gave me mine. Each was more beautiful that the next. I can’t even imagine what they took with them. I bought some Turkish Delight and had some hot mint tea while we were there. Where ever you go please be respectful of the people their religion and their culture.
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Accommodations: |
We stayed in Amiral Tadfil Sokak, (on Admiral Tadfil Street), that was an Admiral’s house. In English it’s called the Angel’s Home Hotel because his wife’s name means Angel. We had breakfast on the top floor of the hotel.
It didn't cost a fortune and the rooms were decorated nicely and the staff
was polite.
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Nightlife: |
We got on the coach to take a night tour across the Dardanelles to the other side of the city. After we crossed the bridge and the Straights of the Bosporus, we were in Asia. Each of us was given a certificate to prove we had made the crossing. We came back and drove through Akmerkez at Etiler, and the Galleria in Atakoy to see the area where the designer shops were. Beirut was once the City that most Muslims from other countries went to shop. After Beirut was destroyed ,Istanbul became the in place to have a vacation and to shop. We arrived at a Hall where we had a few drinks and watched a Folklore show. We saw Whirling Dervish’s (this is a Religious Sect and they whirl themselves into a trance), a group of Gypsies who sang my favorite song ’’Kalinka,’’ and a lot of Belly Dancers. One was a Man, and I think he made the most money that night! We went to the Hilton Hotel to go to the Casino. When we walked through the door we each got a free chip. I lost mine!
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Hangouts: |
Next we cruised down the Mediterranean to see Kusadasi to see Ephesus. My friend had been here two years before me and she said the streets were made of dirt. I found that the streets were paved . There were so many stores we couldn't see most of them. There was fabulous beach. I wish we had time to enjoy the many beaches. Then we went to Ephesus...... When we got back were given an hour to shop. I bought a brass giraffe, and a leather coat that had small pleats from the collar to the hem, (it was so soft it felt like silk).. There is a duty-free shop on the port, and it has excellent prices for tobacco and liqueur.
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Restaurants: |
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Grotto Of The 7 Sleepers At Ephesus
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I was walking on a main street and saw a workmen's cafe. I had some sulu yemek, (stew) served with rice. Near the railroad station I found a small cage and had a fish sandwich. These are called Hocapas and they are clean, cheap and serve good food. Haci Abdullah is the oldest restuarnt in Istanbul. It serves Turkish food. Kabatas Kultur Merkezi severs Ottoman food, (yogurts, soups, salads, vegetable dishes, kidney beans served in a red sauce and green peppers stuffed with rice, or cabbage). My favorites are lamb in Adana, (doner kebab), and Iskender Kebabs. They are served in a spicy tomato and chilli sauce on a bed of pita that has a drop of thick yogurt (leban), and some cous-cous and salad. Mezes, (what's that), are starters and if you order enough it will be a meal.
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Other recommendations: |
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Street Going into
Ephesus
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At Ephesus we went to see the fortress. It was built in the 16th century it juts out into over the sea. We walked along the Marble Way that was made of stones. Below it we saw the water and sewer systems. The Colonnade that once, had shops, a market (3 B.C.) and was the center of the city's life. I wasn't fully restored yet. It was difficult to walk up Curetes Way because the street because it was made of marble. On the right side there are some narrow streets that go to the homes. These streets were paved with mosaics. On the left side were official monuments, fountains and some other interesting buildings like the baths, the brothel & the public toilets.
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Published on Tuesday October 3th, 2006
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Publish on Facebook
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Mon, Jan 01 2007 - 08:20 AM
by happy-harry
Constantinapole.es was 600 years old name, did you go back in tmie..he.he.he. |
Wed, Dec 20 2006 - 05:40 PM
by wonderer
Mrs. Canada, is it "Leyla" or Lyla.....?
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Fri, Oct 06 2006 - 08:34 AM
by madness
the population is not 64 million mrscanada, it is about 15-16 million now I suppose, nice to read your Istanbul report, thanks God not Constantinopol.. |
Wed, Oct 04 2006 - 12:49 PM
by mistybleu
Lyla,
A fascinating reports, with some lovely personal experiences, a pleasure to read.
Amanda |
Wed, Oct 04 2006 - 05:16 AM
by gloriajames
Tue, Oct 03 2006 - 09:39 PM
by st.vincent
Istanbul has always been a city that I have intended to visit, it looks so interesting. I was thinlking of 4* but having given 5* as your writing has made me more determined to get there one day. |
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