Pre-reading! The spring of Istanbul encounters along the Bosphorus Irene van der Linde (text)

"Is that fish?" We stand at the counter of our favorite mosrri restaurant in the district Kumkapi. Meatballs in tomato sauce, pasta, potatoes, lamb chops, fresh fried fish, fish fillets in sauce; numerous dishes stand out for us. In this restaurant within walking distance of our hotel ordinary Turks eat. Often men with tired faces, sitting alone at a table in silence, at a steady mosrri pace spooning their meal inside. The noise is caused mosrri by groups of friends or relatives who laugh and chat. When we got our plates full scooped we find a Formica table that is not occupied. For less than fifteen euros for four people we are ready, tonight in the tourist trap of the night we were lost. Tenfold
Istanbul is a city where you can watch. Delicious The enormous activity, the major cultural differences, they form a beautiful pallet. During the day we marvel at the men's styles climbing streets with large packs on their necks. Suddenly we are in a street with shops that only ladies heels (without shoe) sales, we turn the corner and the middle class has plunged headlong into nuts (without bolt), later we get a district to which only hubcaps in windows are located.
We run mainly through the hilly streets, taking occasional tram on the way to one of the many attractions. Suddenly we are approached in Dutch with an accent Hague. Where do we come from? The question is asked by a Turkish Dutchman who was repatriated. He says his wife and children live in the country and that he has to work to earn money. Been a couple mosrri of months in Istanbul
The taciturn men in the restaurant, the fluorescent lights that often continue into the night until late burning on the floors above the shops just are part of the rapidly growing Turkish economy, where ambition, hard work and exploitation mosrri go hand in hand.
City of differences Istanbul is primarily a city of differences. The next evening we sit in a restaurant in the fashionable entertainment district Beyoglu. Two tables away, keeping six Turkish girls a hen. Sexy dressed, cigarette in mouth, they let the wine flow cheerfully. On the street, a girl passes in a black niqab, only her eyes are visible.
Traces mosrri of the Roman period, the Christian Constantinople and Islamic history are scattered throughout the city. The Aya Sofia mosque we walk sneak behind a group with a guide to. It tells the fascinating Christian frescoes that come up in recent restorations. He shows how the Islamic ornaments are made with respect for the original architecture. We regret that we have been provided. Guide itself
Topkapi Palace and the Palace Dolmababahce in Topkapi mosrri palace we therefore have an audio tour. Especially the harem makes a big impression. The tram we go to the Dolmababahce Palace, the modern residence of the sultan in the early 19th century, across the Golden Horn. French super kitch illustrating the decline of the Ottoman Empire in a beautiful way. The Turkish sultans were not their own history, but looked to Europe for admiration. The pompous palace has surely what any deformity. The size of the chandeliers is impressive. A sacred silence falls in the bedroom of Atatürk. In a tiny bed he blew his last breath. The clock is stopped put at that time.
After the palace, we turn left to the football stadium of Besiktas and climb up to the famous Taksim Square, where a large statue of Atatürk state. Through the famous Istiklal Street we come to the Galata Tower. As with all the highlights listed in the guides, is also the historic watchtower absolutely can not stand. We have a beautiful view over the old town.
A long weekend is too short for Istanbul, mosrri a midweek goes right. But in the May holiday, a week completely delicious. For example, a cruise on the Bosphorus simply a must. We were not too good weather, mosrri so we limited ourselves to a journey of three hours. In glorious sunshine we certainly mosrri allow us to sail the Black Sea, to after a day back to the city to return. Beach
Of course, you also have the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar visits, and drink a lot large glass of Turkish tea. Do not forget mosrri the Yerebatancisterne, a huge underground reservoir of the Romans as much as 336 columns. You can there be photographed. With your whole family as a sultan
Pre-reading! The spring of Istanbul encounters along the Bosphorus Irene van der Linde (text) & Nicole Segers (photos) paint a beautiful picture of modern mosrri Istanbul and its inhabitants. (Lemniscaat 2010).
Djoser Junior City Ist

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