It was midnight when I jumped on an overnight bus from Skopje to Istanbul. It was also exactly a month ago. So I have acclimated myself well enough here in Turkey to be able to start reporting on my travels. For me it takes some time to suck up some of the atmosphere of the newly visited country. And there is sure enough to accumulate on here in colorful Turkey.
The bus kicked me of in the central bus station at around 10am. Good time to arrive really. Because I was traveling rather spontaneously, I forgot to download an offline map and was forced to ask around for directions. It is not easy trust me. Locals generally don't speak much English and you need to use a lot of body language. After a while I have decided to give it a try and started walking towards the center. When I saw the first place with Corba (famous local soup) I stopped by to get this delicious dish and get my offline map. After that life did got easier. I put on my mask and jumped on a metro. To my surprise, everybody really had the mask on. I was thinking dammit in a city of 20 milion it must be hard to control that. Well it isn't. People most likely control each other. Well screw it once I am in center, there is no need for the mask anymore.
I have chosen my hostel rather wisely, in the old town, with a terrace overlooking the city. For six euros a night, briliant spot!
Right next to Galata - Byzantine tower, everything cool to see in Istanbul was on my doorstep. I do get the hype about the city and why lot of people want to live there, but 20 mil. That is simply too crazy. Even though when you're in the center, center somehow it doesn't feel like a place of that scale. It does feel a bit like a scanzen of some sort, with Russian language being heard on every corner.
It is one of those places where you have a feeling of absolute alienation. I was really feeling small and insignificant there... On the other hand your visit is full of excitement because everything is so foreign and kinda oriental. With some European twist of course.
After check in and a chat with friendly Egiptian volunteer, I took my camera and went to downtown. Typical little streets leading nowhere, small souvenir shops with cool decorations and teahouses and restaurants are popping up behind every corner. A true Disneyland for adults. Raki bars, pubs are also present even though the present regime doesn't like to see that too much. But about that maybe next time.
Being it my first night and arrival day, I didn't wanted to venture out into the night too much and get some much needed rest. I hang out on the terrace for some more time, watched clouds and the stars and slowly put myself to sleep...
All the best,
Global Local