Black as Hell, Strong as Death, Sweet as Love
An old Turkish proverb perfectly describes the country's unique take on my favorite caffeinated beverage: Coffee!
The Remains of the Hippodrome
An arena nearly half a kilometer long, packed with 100,000 howling fans. The emperor seated with his family in the imperial loge, disinterestedly following the proceedings. Hundreds of golden statues, columns, monuments and treasures decorating the track. And the thunderous sound of 32 horses, galloping under the whip's cruel crack. Oh, to experience the Hippodrome during Constantinople's Golden Age!
The Spice Bazaar (or Egyptian Bazaar)
Its real name might be the Egyptian Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı), but the Spice Bazaar is how everyone refers to it, and gives a better indication of what to expect inside. Found next to the Yeni Camii near the Golden Horn, this ancient covered market dates from 1660 and is Istanbul's second biggest bazaar.
From Sultanhamet Square to Beyazit
The city is far easier to walk than I'd feared, and public transportation is cheap, quick and efficient (if crowded). Most importantly, most of the major sights are packed closely together in or near the historic center. On one of our first days, we walked along the tram line from Sultanhamet Square (next to the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia) to Beyazit: a short, straight walk during which we saw one historic treasure after the other.
Yerebatan Sarnıçı – The Sunken Cistern
Hundreds of underground cisterns lurk beneath the surface of Istanbul, the largest of which is the Yerebatan Sarnıçı, or the Sunken Cistern. Built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century to provide water to his palace, it's survived the ages in remarkable form.
Ciğer Şiş – Liver Shish Kebab at Canim Ciğerim
At the last second, I nearly lost my nerve and ordered chicken. But I stayed strong and, in a confident voice, ordered the "Ciğer Şiş": the Liver Shish Kebab. At least, I think I sounded confident. I might have whimpered a little, but if the waiter caught it, he didn't let on.
Impending Spring in Istanbul
The beginning of our stay in Istanbul coincided with the beginning of March, and the slow onset of spring. The temperature was still cold, but blossoms were starting to appear on the trees and every day was milder than the last. And on the streets, we could sense the optimistic, expectant energy which always goes hand-in-hand with the end of winter.
Merhaba Istanbul!
Istanbul, one of the world's great cities, was going to be our home for the next 91 days. Minarets, mosques, harems, hamams, kebab, coffee, Turkish delights, towers, castles, islands, whirling dervishes, Greeks and Ottomans, hills, ferries, markets and music... it's enough to make the experience-hungry traveler delirious. We knew we'd have to hit the ground running, because there was going to be a lot to do.
