Istanbul: Where Chaos Meets Coffee and Carpets
so i just got back from istanbul and my brain is still spinning from all the colors, smells, and near-death taxi rides. seriously, if you haven't been, you're missing out on one of the most unpredictable cities on earth. i mean, where else can you sip turkish coffee in a 500-year-old building while someone tries to sell you a carpet that's probably been in their family since the ottoman empire?
i just checked and it's 4.7°C and feels like -0.52°C there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. personally, i was there in spring and nearly melted, so maybe pack layers?
anyway, the first thing i did was head straight to the grand bazaar. someone told me that if you don't haggle, you're basically insulting the vendor, so i tried my best. ended up with a beautiful (and slightly overpriced) lamp that now sits proudly in my living room, reminding me of my terrible bargaining skills.
"the blue mosque at sunset? overrated," said a guy i met at a rooftop bar. "go to the süleymaniye mosque instead. fewer tourists, same wow factor." he was right.
if you get bored, ankara and izmir are just a short drive away, but honestly, i doubt you will. istanbul has enough going on to keep you busy for weeks. one day i was wandering through the spice market, the next i was on a ferry crossing the bosphorus, pretending to be in a bond movie.
and let's talk about the food. i heard that the best kebabs are not in fancy restaurants but in tiny places where the owner's grandma is probably in the back cooking. i found one near the galata tower and it was life-changing. also, don't leave without trying baklava. just don't. your dentist will understand.
one thing i didn't expect? the cats. they're everywhere. lounging in mosques, napping on restaurant tables, basically running the city. someone said they're good luck, so i took a million photos. now my camera roll is 90% cats and 10% blurry shots of the hagia sophia.
if you're planning a trip, check out *tripadvisor for the top things to do, or yelp* for some local eats. and maybe bring a scarf if you're a woman-some mosques require head coverings, and it's just respectful.
anyway, that's my messy, sleep-deprived take on istanbul. it's loud, it's chaotic, it's beautiful, and it's totally worth the jet lag. just watch out for the taxis. and the carpet sellers. and the cats. okay, just go and see for yourself.
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