Istanbul. A place that will always have a special place in my heart. It is my first trip as an adult abroad and our first common trip with my husband, which has been a motive for many , many more to follow! A place with special aura, incredible motility , architectural beauty and a sense of oriental energy. If you have already been there I’m sure you can understand me, and if not , I do believe I will make you want to book those tickets now!
Our postmortem journey from Thessaloniki lasted for about seven hours, the bus was relatively comfortable and border control lighter than I expected. There are frequent bus services from Thessaloniki, as an alternative to the plane, no passport required (although things may have become more stringent with controls ) and is relatively economical as an option.
Because of this journey i finally figured out what we mean by ” boarders ” , as we passed by the road that our flags are one next to the other and marked the end of one country and the beginning of the other. The truth is that I expected something more grandiose than a simple “Welcome to Turkey” banner, but as we have once again, myths exist to be destroyed! After crossing the Turkish side, a bombardment of Turkish flags and Erdogan’s posters everywhere. I already felt strongly the nationalism and the silent reminder that I am now in a Muslim state with different customs and attitudes.
After arriving at the station, we boarded to another bus that would leave us somewhere more centrally and by taxi we arrived at our hotel. If I have to warn you about something, then it definitely has to this. Prepare yourself for a crazy driving experience! The endless honking, high speed, a permanent traffic chaos,might leave you speechless but is probably just part of the life of the Turks.
In Sultanahmet, the historical center of Constantinople gathers all of Byzantine and Ottoman history and whether you choose to stay in the area or not, this is the place to be! There is an imposing building in Agia Sophia , the Obelisks , Topkapi, the Blue Mosque and, of course, the Grand Bazaar.
What to see
Hagia Sofia
This spectacular building of 537, was used as a Christian Orthodox Temple until 1453 , after the Fall as an Islamic mosque, and was eventually turned into a museum exhibit in 1934. Of the most imposing buildings I’ve ever seen, both outdoors and indoors. It has remained in a state of restoration with Christian and Muslim icons in the past years, creating a somewhat strange spectacle, at least , that is the emotion that i felt!
Top kapi
This palace, built on the Bosporus hill, was the official residence of the Ottoman emperors since the 15th century. until 1853. It has now become a museum.
Grand Bazaar
The Great Market, or Covered Bazaar, is one of the largest markets in the world and is one of the most beautiful sights in Istanbul. A huge area hosting some 3,600 shops, restaurants, traditional cafes and hammam. a great way to spend your time and feel the ultimate oriental climate. I would not suggest you make your purchases from there because it is generally a highly tourist place and you can find the same products at other stores at much lower prices but it’s definitely an experience you should not miss!
Royal kilter
One of the largest underground water tanks built in Turkey and the greatest public works of Justinian. A magnificent spectacle complemented by the upside down columns that decorate it. We also took pictures, dressed in traditional costumes, souvenirs that even today decorate our wall and make us laugh!
What to eat and drink
One thing is certain in Turkey , you will not be hungry even for a moment! The flavors of our Turkish friends are very close to ours, especially in Istanbul where the Greek community once combined our Greek cuisine with Turkish and created what we call ” Politiki ” cuisine. Do not forget their classic kebab, which is made with lamb (because they do not eat pork) and of course the best baklava you will ever eat at the Hafiz Mustafa 1864, one of the best and oldest pastry shops in the city. A! Do not forget to try and their traditional sweet, the kunefe, you will love it !
Above the bridges, you will get fish sandwich stalls that prepare the most delicious yet simple snacks i have ever had ! Fish inside of bread with some extra salate! You HAVE to have one!
The Turks love coffee and tea, two drinks you will find everywhere. Greek / Turkish coffee, one of the best coffees i ever drunk and one of the healthiest as well!
The modern part of Istanbul
A bridge separates the old from the new side of the city. The old side,the one more retrograde with the part that most women dress up more freely – western style (in relation to our own prescriptive), without hijab.
An enormous road, which ends at Taksim Square, full of shops, crosses the new city. The truth is we did not choose to stay on this particular side as we wanted to explore the more traditional section. But if you are looking for a bar, a club or some kind of fun you will only find it here as in Sultanahmet we did not find even a drop of alcohol.
Do not forget to visit a traditional Turkish hammam, an unforgettable experience that and if you have enough time , make a day trip to Prince’ s Islands.
Safety
Overall I did not feel afraid at any time of the trip. But I was with my husband and a friendly couple. Surely if you are a woman and think about visiting Constantinople, you should move around and act with more precaution, be dressed upright (as I did) and avoid going out too late at night. It is a fairly urbanized city that is maintained by tourism and fortunately the inhabitants are much more progressive than the rest of Turkey, but it is still a Muslim country that operates under certain rules and unfortunately also has a huge rate of poverty.
On the other hand, it is an surprisingly EXTREMELY clean city, with public toilets everywhere and in excellent condition. Cleaning, as I have learned, is of utmost importance to Muslims as it is also referred to in the Qur’an as a necessary prerequisite even for a simple prayer.
Constantinople will forever stay in my mind as the city of immense contradictions! The city with the extreme poverty and the most luxurious cars. The city of Muslim but also Christian compound. The countless minarets and gulls flying over the Bosporus. The incredible architecture. Women with boars, covered up to the eyes, trying to eat and women with a mini dress drink their cocktails. Nicely smiling people who feel joy when they meet us Greeks, without hatred and slander , but they also sell feminine hygiene products, wrapping them in garbage bags of shame. Prayer is an integral part of everyday life of people three times a day.
Would i go back again? Without a second thought
It is a city that fills you with its diversity despite being so close to Greece and to Europe in general! There is no better way to get a feel for something than to look at it with your own eyes! I expect you to go and tell me!
