When a gentleman enters somewhat sketchy Raki Bar. I could start today's story like that. But let's start slowly and build up the story shall we.
Around 8pm the sun sets down in Istanbul as I am watching it from the hostel's roof terrace. What a great feeling it is. I guess if you see it everyday it wears off like many things, but for few times it is surely spectacular.
I than start to feel this weird feeling in my back and whole body. It is signaling me that there is some adventure ahead. That feeling when you arrive to a new place and you feel ready to go out for few drinks. It is not so much about those drinks, but the experience itself and the people you get the chance to meet. So let's venture outside now.
This candy shop absolutely blew my mind. I felt like seven years old again. What amazing colours those are. As I am walking around many things attract my eyes and I have a finger on a trigger. Of my camera of course...
Quite popular attraction next to the Galata tower is this old tram. Istanbul has modern trams, but they don't go all the way down to the old town, where all the adult attractions are.
And now it will start to get weird. As I am walking alone through the boulevard, somebody punches me to my back, in kinda friendly way, but still, I turn around and its some rather energetic Turkish guy, who to his surprise finds out he didn't know me. But as it sometimes goes we have started talking and before you know it, I am going to Raki bar with him and some other guy who doesn't speak English. Yeah I know, why? You might be asking...
Well I wanted to try the infamous Turkish Raki, which tastes rather sweet and is anise infused, when mixed with water and ice, it is quite nice. I was trying to make sure, that we are not going to some expensive place, but the newly founded friend was thinking otherwise. We did entered some shady club above already somewhat dark disco.
Before I know it there is bucket full of ice with bottle of raki on the table and three girls are approaching us. What the hell I am thinking, just don't buy them drinks, you will be alright. To my luck the cutest one sits next to me and starts to touch me here and there. As we drink, I get more flexible and when waiters ask me if I buy the drink for a lady, I kindly say of course :)
Not knowing that one small glass of beer costs 20 euros in that place. After one bottle of Raki comes second and I start to dance with the girl and everything goes kinda fast. After the second bottle I am being presented the bill. It is 4000 Turkish lira. Wtf, still fresh I don't even know how much it is in euros, thinking it is 40 or 400 euros. In any case I ask for a cash machine. Leaving my clothes inside I am accompanied by a bodyguard, out to the nearest ATM.
To my luck cash machine is occupied and after a while the bouncer sais: "let's go, there is another one here", he turns his back on me and in that very second a run. I was so quickly in the crowd of people and behind another corner, my assumption is that when he turned back, I just wasn't there anymore.
After few blocks I was feeling safe again and continued taking pictures and grabbed some good old Turkish fast food...
Got back to my hostel's terrace to chill a little after the whole crazy evening and watched the Galata tower yet again.
In my honest opinion, the turkish guy didn't paid the bill for me, as he was apparently high on speed or something of that nature, he was quite loud and might just talked himself out. In any case it was his idea to go there, I warned him in advance that I don't want to go to the night club. Well, the next day I obviously had some bad thoughts and was feeling paranoid when going out to buy new sweatshirt a shirt that I left in the club...
All the best,
Global Local