Istanbul

Istanbul
­ a city to quench the voyager's soul

Picture this.Grey skies, tempestuous waters, cobbled streets, old brick walls and
laboured freedom. Now imagine this. You are walking through these streets,
breathing this city. The essence of wonder and beauty crawls into your skin till you
get lost in it and become one with it. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful experience
A different kind of
adventure
than
you would have
ever imagined you
could get from a
city Yes, that is
what Istanbul is
for you. Here, you
do not have any
particular
direction to go to.
You walk where
you want to walk.
You stand where
you want to stand.
You
experience
what you want to
experience.

Dive into the old district and explore Sultanahmet. Pass the thousands of tourists
feeding the pigeons. The pigeons look different here, as if they carry age old secrets of
Byzantium in their shining eyes. And as you reach closer to the heart of the city, the
lingering scent of fresh fish, the rains and joy sinks into you till you drown into this
magical mystery ride.

Watch the trams from another era pass you by, and while they circle around, they
narrate the history of their home through their language that echoes through the
wires. You can get on to one of them indeed and let it take you where it wants to.

Step down into the hallowed streets of the Grand Bazaar. Walk in, and let your senses
be overcome­ a zephyr of spices. The shopkeepers, sensing a new customer, will fight
over you; let them. Allow yourself to be convinced by steaming apple tea and subtle
flattery – that you need cloves in your life. You need the honey, and walnuts and the
dried figs Istanbul boasts of.

Sooner or later the Bosphorus will call out to you, and as it beckons you to come closer
you will eventually hire a cruise, hop in at 5 in the morning, see the sun rising and
realise that this is what your history books spoke about.

The beauty of Bosphorus, glittering under the rising sun, its choppy waters bringing
you to the shore of an ancient empire.

Sometimes, it rains in the evening, and the crowd will give you shelter. There will be a
man who will magically appear with plastic umbrellas that are sure to break by the end
of one day. Buy one for an exorbitant price and run to the nearest café for warmth.
Order desert
and a cup of
the
famous
Turkish
coffee.
The
café will be
crowded
so
you
might
have to share
a table. Meet
strangers,
make
friends
new
and
together,
you
watch
world
can
the
pass
by.

In the late evening visit the local tavern. Get amazed by the charming movements of
the beautiful belly dancer. Sip the local wine while the Turkish performers dazzle you
with an evening full of fun and frolic.

... Or may be just sit in the archaic train station and wonder at how the city has
wonderfully treated your soul and heart as the sublimal pictures of The Orient Express
crosses your subconcious mind

Step into a brand new
world and make it
your own. Discover
Europe when and
where it dissolves into
the East. Discover Asia
where it merges with
the west. Discover
mystery, and magic
and
memories.
Discover History. And
discover love. Fall in
love with ancient
streets, and modern
museums. Fall in love
with a chaotic,
shining, breath­taking
city that will leave
your heart wanting for
more.
This is what you must do. What you must be. Be a tourist. A stranger.A wanderer.An
explorer.An adventurer. Fall in love with Istanbul.