Istanbul | Textures and Tastes

The view from my hotel room window at the Marmara Pera- a great angle from which to see the waterway called the Golden Horn.

Over the past several years, I’ve been lucky to have my job take me to Istanbul quite a few times. Definitely one of the most unique and interesting places I’ve been- very hard hard to describe though- it’s European, Asian, and Middle Eastern all at the same time. The food is ridiculously delicious and fresh- I really don’t remember ever having a bad meal. Fish restaurants are everywhere (being surrounded by the Aegean, Black and Mediterranean Seas certainly helps). Istanbul’s citizens are friendly and welcoming (even to me, who struggles with any language beyond English).  And the city is easy to navigate and explore.

A view of the mouth of the mighty Bosphorus Strait (and a terrific air conditioner system in my way).

While Istanbul is quite literally at the crossroads of the world, straddling both the European and Asian continents, the Bosphorus is the waterway that divides the two. The below photo, showing the Bosphorus bridge in the background, gives a nice visual of the separation.

Istanbul, like other large cities, is a huge metropolis of stone, concrete and industry, but there is a very natural connection to the land and sea, rooftop gardens and window flower boxes are at almost every home.

One of the many streets leading up to the Grand Bazaar.

Inside the Grand Bazaar- a gent carrying a tray of Turkish tea. As with Turkish coffee, Turkish tea is very smooth and VERY  high octane (delicious).

The Bazaar has been in operation for over 500 years and has more than 1200 visitors a day. Inside you will find every conceivable thing, from luggage to fine jewelry, pottery to rugs, leather goods to furniture and fabrics.