5 days between 2 continents: My Istanbul recap
A trip to old Constantinople saw me straddling Europe and Asia
I was so excited to finally visit Istanbul.
I didn't know what to expect; I imagined old Constantinople, exotic wonders of the world, mystery, history, and intrigue, and (I can’t remember where I read it, but) it was a true melding of East and West.
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Istanbul geography
The city literally spans two continents, Europe and Asia, separated by the Bosphorus Strait, which was instrumental for maritime trade and even defensive strategies from Ottoman times through the early 20th century.
Where east meets west
This is exemplified further in the city’s architecture.
Given my breadth of global traveling experience, I saw “qilou” styles of buildings (condos or offices up top, with walkways and commercial storefronts underneath) that transported me to Taipei.
Meanwhile, other streets were reminiscent of Parisian arrondissements.
The bustling density of people—15 million in the city alone, the most populous in Europe—took me back to being sandwiched between cars and crowds in New Delhi.
To top it all off, the city was in the middle of a heat wave.
Temps hit nearly 35°C or 95°F, requiring frequent cooling off with cold beverages, or ducking into shops and discovering a labyrinth of underground markets and shopping malls.
The Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha was also just starting as I was departing.
When I returned stateside, I didn’t even change my Turkish Lira because I know I’ll be back…
Til then, here’s my recap of my trip to Istanbul:
How I got there
Turkish Airlines flies daily and direct to Istanbul out of most major American cities like New York, D.C., and Miami.
Where I stayed
I split time between the Shangri-La Bosphorus and an AirBnb, which offered different conveniences by location.
The Shangri-La was ideal for touring the Dolmabahçe Palace and crossing the Bosphorus by ferry to the Asian side.
The AirBnb bordered Istanbul’s Pera neighborhood, with major mosques within reach by crossing a bridge via taxi over the Golden Horn.
Where I did touristy things
Dolmabahçe Palace: A sultan’s palace filled with dazzling Baccarat crystal chandeliers, grand halls and sitting rooms that offer a peek into life in the early-mid 19th century.
It’s also where the founding father of Turkey (see below) spent the last 4 years of his life.
Blue Mosque: A 17th century mosque also known as the Sultan Ahmed mosque (he is buried there) adorned with blue floral tiles and massive chandeliers.
Where I did less touristy things
Çamlıca Mosque: The biggest mosque in Istanbul is on the Asian side and may require a ferry and taxi to get there, but the city views and the ability to view a modern mosque from the inside are worth it.
There’s even a nearby park and restaurant with dessert and ice cream offerings. Head coverings provided.
Where I went off the beaten path
Now, normally I don’t partake in smoking hookah and I don’t smoke cigarettes, but one can’t pass up the storied hookah spot converted from an old mosque, Çorlulu Ali Paşa Medresesi.
Here, you’ll find fragrant, high-quality tobacco, and with plenty of seating among tables in sections of its open courtyard or antechambers of more intimate rooms.
I saw people by themselves, couples, and groups, all with an interest to relax, rejuvenate and chill. No music, just low murmuring and chatting; the epitome of “chilling out.”
When in Istanbul…
Istanbul observations
Co-existing: Hijabs, burkas, and western wear
When I visited Dubai, I witnessed the co-existence of women in full burka (head to toe covering) juxtaposed with western-style dressed women.
They co-exist in Istanbul as well. Women wear either full burkas or the hijab (head scarf covering), while a majority of women are in trendy western styles you’d see on the streets of New York City.
Atatürk, Turkey’s founding father
Images of the father of modern-day Turkey are everywhere.
As I learned from this video, whether you like his policies or not it’s probably a good idea not to insult him publicly because many consider him to be a national hero, and many streets and shopping areas are named after him.
Stray animals
There are many articles that discuss strays but they’re sort of owned by no one and loved by all.
You'll find little bowls of kibble and water laid out for both cats and dogs.
Most of them appear to be happy and well-fed, save for the occasional mange-y cat, but everyone is fond of them, so be nice.
You may be wondering why I’ve left off all the places I ate and well, there were just so many delicious, authentic foods both traditional and modern that to list them here would do a disservice.
They deserve a newsletter of their own, but here’s a preview:
Have you been to Istanbul or are you wanderlusting?
What spoke to you most about my recap? Reply or comment below!
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Until next time,
Shindy
On Instagram + TikTok
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Fascinating!!!!! Loved your adventures!!🦋🦋🦋