The Bosphorus is the main character in the centuries - old history, drama, epic, in short-the life of this amazing city. On its shores, according to mythology, IO was wandering with great sad eyes - beloved of Zeus, which in the cow drew the jealous wife of the God of thunder. However Zeus, except IO, was naughty on the Banks of the Bosphorus a lot. In the form of a bull, he stole, put a beautiful Europe on his back and transported it through the Bosphorus.
Today, the Bosphorus is not crossed by bulls, today on its shores it is parked personal boats and yachts as a personal transport of the rich. And on its open spaces go huge tankers, bulk carriers, cruise ships, even aircraft carriers come across. And also-boats fishermen, water buses and taxis carry citizens from Asia to Europe and back.
Near Arnavutkoy is the deepest part of the Bosphorus (110 m) and fastest (up to 12 km/h): the Cape is called Cape Akinti Burnu. Ancient travelers even talked about the crabs, which, "not having the strength to swim against the rapids, thousands of bypass it on the shore, so it seems — coastal stones move."
Behind Bebek, in the narrowest part of the Strait, in front of the second Bosphorus bridge, towers of Rumeli-Hisary Rumeli Hisari, a European fortress, rise.
For Rumeli-Hisar, the second bridge — the bridge of the Conqueror (Fatih Köprüsü) - is thrown across the Strait; here the Upper Bosphorus begins. This bridge is clearly visible from the walls of the fortress.
Dream city met me with wide open arms the azure of the Bosphorus, the fresh breeze of the Haliç, or Golden Horn just, the scent of the Semites on the waterfront and the smells of freshly caught and fried in front of you anchovy and horse mackerel, a riot of flowering chestnut trees and roses, roll call of azan from the mosques ringing trams, the ubiquitous cats and cool gülhane Park. Istanbul has friendly received me with caring hands bathers Hamam and friendly residents of the city.
The sellers of fried mackerel at Galata bridge smiled to me friendly (however, I want to note that the friendliness and friendliness, as it seemed to me, is very inherent in almost all residents of Istanbul quality).
The city of dreams turned out to be as I imagined it, having read Orhan Pamuk and Elchin Safarli, but also for me Istanbul prepared its own, only for me intended sensations and colors. Have you ever seen bright pink chestnuts? I'm not. Istanbul has prepared them for me among many gifts.
Topkapi – a great and dramatic page in history. Topkapi is the first thing a traveler sees arriving in Istanbul by sea.
Falling asleep, evening Istanbul is peaceful and radiant beautiful at the end of may. ... Morning Istanbul inspires us to feats. Overflowing with the energy of the surf. There is peace, steadfastness. In the morning in the city of souls air with a taste of sea salt. Pores passionately absorb the vibes of dawn…
Cats on the streets of Istanbul-fat-ass goddess with full eyes. Real aristocrats. You run it once, you don't do it twice. Will fall apart on the hood of a parked car, will drill look, they say, greedy-beef, could treat…
Seagulls will chase you, begging for pieces of SIMIT on the ferry, they will circle in the night over the mosques, they will pull the Hamsa out of the hands of fishermen on the Galata bridge. Their shrill cries are an integral part of Istanbul's life.
No less famous mosques replicated another symbol of Istanbul-Galata bridge and fishermen, standing in friendly rows on the bridge from dawn to sunset
On the Central streets of Istanbul bottled citrus syrup delight. Bubbles. The walls of the surrounding houses are overgrown with marzipan crust. On the Windows of the Windows freeze tiny candy in the form of snowflakes. With clear sky pours sweetened coconut. Settles on the wavy dark curls of passers-by.
Stray cats become fragrant div. Mutts recover from sores, getting at the meat cutting. Lonely people find love, crying people laugh, sick people recover... a Radiant day of happiness. These days in the calendar of the city of souls circled in orange circles…
Saying goodbye to Istanbul is hard. Even at the time. The city of souls is open to arriving people. Quickly gets used to new heroes. Love, help. Therefore, Istanbul hates parting. So I do not say goodbye to Istanbul. I now wear (carefully wear!) in the particle – all the memories, smells, feelings.