Istanbul is a city of water. It lives with the currents of the Bosphorus and is never the same just like the water that constantly caresses its shores. One day you might wake up and the city might be lost inside a calm mist and the next day it might be painted in a reddish orange with the presence of the sun. So whatever you do make sure you are close to the Bosphorus in Istanbul. You don’t have the luxury to miss the amazing play of the city with water, light and nature during a few days you spend as a visitor. Pick a hotel, a house or a friend that has the view of the Bosphorus. Get on a boat and appreciate the watermansions that surround the Bosphorus like a string of pearls. Make sure you save yourself a glass of your favorite drink at night. Go next to the window or get a seat outside especially if there is full moon and watch the city dance you through the night.
Istanbul is a city of food. It is the capital of Turkish Food. It cooks with the millions of cultures that passed its way throughout the history. The Romans cooked the carbohydrates, the Greeks brought the dairies, the Arabs served the deserts and the Russians prepared the drinks. The Turkish mastered and personalized eating like nowhere else in the world. Be prepared to pick your favorites from long tables of open buffets with millions of different delicious choices. Go to the Egyptian Bazaar to smell the millions of spices that become the key ingredients of Turkish Food. The breakfasts always have freshly baked bread baskets, olives, feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, honey and orange juice. Omelettes prepared with parsley, cheese and diced pepper and tomatoes are not to be missed. The most well known main courses are prepared with rice, eggplants, meat chunks, tomato sauce and of course, fish. The deserts span a century of perfection and range anywhere from rice puddings slowly baked in the oven to sweetened thin layers of bread sheets with nuts. The celebration of the food that spans hundreds of years and cultures can only end well with a tiny glass of bubbly hot lightly sweetened Turkish Coffee.
Istanbul is a city of mysticism. Listen to the priests praying to the city from the hundreds of mosques that surround the seven hills. Try to interpret what they are saying to the city and to you in your own terms. If you had the chance to chant to this city and everyone in it, what would you say? What would go through your mind? Visit at least one of the Ottoman Palaces (Topkapi or Dolmabahce). Be daring enough to find a fortune teller to look into your future by interpreting the residuals of your Turkish Coffee. Dance with the belly dancers. Let them move you as you have never moved before. Sing with the hundreds of instruments that welcome your arrival. The city is unpredictable. It moves with the four seasons, the water, the history and the future. Most of the time it is hard to explain it in words so we sing to Istanbul. Sometimes with instruments and sometimes with lyrics… Make sure you pick a favorite song that reminds you of your time in Istanbul.
Istanbul is a city of air. If you have the opportunity, visit the city between the months of May and July when the weather is not cold or hot enough to keep you indoors. Enjoy the restaurants near or on top of the Bosphorus. Listen closely to the instrumental music that defines the city of seven hills. Go to the outdoor nightclubs and enjoy nightlife as you have never before with the warm Bosphorus breeze on your face and the tiny lights of the boats in your eyes.
Istanbul is a city of handwork. Since the Romans millions of merchants have passed its way and visited its ports to bring the wonders of other countries to the city of wonders. Istanbul has evolved with a mixture of incredible wealth. It has mastered the handwork and appreciated its beauty. It has celebrated the time and energy put into handwork by displaying it lavishly in palaces and mosques. It has always welcomed and never passed on the art of the hand. From jewelery to tapestry the city is blessed with millions of shops that provide its visitors with one-of-a-kind treasures. Walk around the Grand Bazaar to please your eyes with the offerings of Istanbul.
Istanbul is a city of trades. Since the Romans the city became prosperous with the tough trades it has been able to handle around its ports and shops. It has led the city to appreciate its own property more than anywhere or anyone else around the world. It has worked hard to gain its wealth and it will work hard when it is selling it back. Never forget that for whatever purchase you make you always have the option to bargain. The appetite for making a good trade has never ceased. Always watch out for your benefit. From cab rides to the silver, tapestry and jewelery shops at the Grand Bazaar there is always room for friendly talk and an opportunity to lower the price.
Istanbul is a city of traditions. The city of hundreds of cultures has also welcomed hundreds of languages. Over the years it has paid great attention to body language in order to ease communication among its visitors. Here two kisses on the cheek is a custom among family and friends. A firm handshake is a must among business partners. A kiss on the hand is a sign of respect given from the younger generation to its guardian: the older generation. A pat on the shoulder sometimes means more and reaches the heart faster than a quick hello.
Istanbul is a city of wealth. Surrounded by ancient palaces, the city takes the visitors back to times of the Roman, Greek and Ottoman Empires. There is always a trait that defines where the city has been and where it’s headed to. Istanbul was defined by history, but now it expands with future. There is a never-ending amount of capital in this city. The Grand Bazaar is now making way to its grandchildren: 21st century shopping malls such as Istinye Park, City’s and Kanyon. The Egyptian Bazaar is supplying to futuristic gourmet supermarkets such as Macrocenter. The townhouses that once housed the personal bodyguards of the sultans are now turned into W Hotel and luxury private residences. The foundations of the first Trump Tower outside the US have been put into place in one of the city’s central locations.
Despite all the political and social dilemmas, Istanbul has been making its way through history and future without any obstacles. Unlike the media or its visitors it seems to know too well that there is nothing to be afraid of. It has been conquered, burnt down and harassed multiple times in the past, but it has always recovered. It recovered into something that is much better than before. It has always been the diamond in the rough. As a son, as a resident and as a visitor of Istanbul it seems I can’t do anything else, but kneel before its wisdom and confidence.
