Istanbul is the 5th largest city in the world with a population of 12.8 million. The city spans two continents, Europe and Asia, and two eras, BCE and CE. Istanbul is the old cities of Byzantium and Constantinople and a young modern-thinking city with an appreciation for all things western.
The people are predominately Muslim. Indeed, there are mosques visible in every direction and you can hear the call to prayer wherever you may be. But Istanbul is a secular city insuring freedom of worship to all. There are both Catholic and Orthodox churches in the city and even a few Protestant congregations.
Friendly and helpful,most Turks speak a little English. The language is taught in Turkish schools beginning in first grade. There is a presence of armed military, but not as prevalent as in Mexico. While the soldiers are not smiling and friendly, neither do you feel threatened by them.
Turks are very proud of their republic. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk fought first in the Ottoman military, working his way up through the ranks. Resigning from the Ottoman Army in 1919, because of his opposition to the partition of Turkey, he then went on to lead the war for independence against the allied armies of Great Britain, Italy, France, and Greece. He is revered as the Father of the Turkish Republic, in much the same way that George Washington is revered as the Father of our Country. The Republic of Turkey was officially established on October 29, 1923. There are numerous statues and portraits of Atatürk throughout the city of Istanbul.
The Turks are a merchant people. You can find everything under the sun for sale (except pork). No liquor stores on the corners, but hotels all have bars serving a wide variety of alcoholic choices. On our tour bus, we drove along a street in Istanbul, Fevzipasa Caddesi, with at least a hundred shops selling formals and wedding gowns. When we inquired of our guide, Mahmet, how there could be a market for so many gorgeous gowns, he explained that a Muslin bride also desires to be beautiful on her wedding day.
Cats! There are cats everywhere in Istanbul. Highly respected in Islam, cats are like holy animals in Turkey, much like cows in India. No single person’s pets, they breed indiscriminately, they receive no veterinary care, but they are friendly, inquisitive and always looking for a hand out. Only a few appear overfed, and indeed some are pathetically thin. Their primary duty is to keep the rodent population under control. We saw mostly teenagers and young adults, but occasionally a mature adult was to be seen basking in the sun.
I enjoyed my stay in Istanbul, much as I would enjoy a stay in New York or Paris. Big cities around the world have more in common than whatever differences might exist among them. Istanbul, the end of the line for the fabled Orient Express, has the mystery of the Middle East and many of the conveniences of the West.
Two days in Istanbul were too few; two weeks would be better.
The people are predominately Muslim. Indeed, there are mosques visible in every direction and you can hear the call to prayer wherever you may be. But Istanbul is a secular city insuring freedom of worship to all. There are both Catholic and Orthodox churches in the city and even a few Protestant congregations.
Friendly and helpful,most Turks speak a little English. The language is taught in Turkish schools beginning in first grade. There is a presence of armed military, but not as prevalent as in Mexico. While the soldiers are not smiling and friendly, neither do you feel threatened by them.
Turks are very proud of their republic. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk fought first in the Ottoman military, working his way up through the ranks. Resigning from the Ottoman Army in 1919, because of his opposition to the partition of Turkey, he then went on to lead the war for independence against the allied armies of Great Britain, Italy, France, and Greece. He is revered as the Father of the Turkish Republic, in much the same way that George Washington is revered as the Father of our Country. The Republic of Turkey was officially established on October 29, 1923. There are numerous statues and portraits of Atatürk throughout the city of Istanbul.
The Turks are a merchant people. You can find everything under the sun for sale (except pork). No liquor stores on the corners, but hotels all have bars serving a wide variety of alcoholic choices. On our tour bus, we drove along a street in Istanbul, Fevzipasa Caddesi, with at least a hundred shops selling formals and wedding gowns. When we inquired of our guide, Mahmet, how there could be a market for so many gorgeous gowns, he explained that a Muslin bride also desires to be beautiful on her wedding day.
Cats! There are cats everywhere in Istanbul. Highly respected in Islam, cats are like holy animals in Turkey, much like cows in India. No single person’s pets, they breed indiscriminately, they receive no veterinary care, but they are friendly, inquisitive and always looking for a hand out. Only a few appear overfed, and indeed some are pathetically thin. Their primary duty is to keep the rodent population under control. We saw mostly teenagers and young adults, but occasionally a mature adult was to be seen basking in the sun.I enjoyed my stay in Istanbul, much as I would enjoy a stay in New York or Paris. Big cities around the world have more in common than whatever differences might exist among them. Istanbul, the end of the line for the fabled Orient Express, has the mystery of the Middle East and many of the conveniences of the West.
Two days in Istanbul were too few; two weeks would be better.
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