So I am now nearing the end of my Turkey trip and since I set up the blog late I figure it is about time to update you all. Here is the basic breakdown:
Day 1 - Time with family, Buyuk Camlica
Day 2 – Istanbul tourist spots: Sultan Ahmed Masjid (Blue Mosque/Sulaymania), Turkish and Islamic Art Museum, Hagia Sofia, Yerebatan Cistern
Day 3 - Trip to Hazrat Yusa tomb, Beykoz
Day 4 - Trip to Sile (Black Sea town)
Day 5 - Istanbul tourist spots: Dolmebahce Palace, Taxim Square
Day 6 - Istanbul tourist spots: Topkapi Palace, Kapalicarsi (Grand Underground Bazaar)
Day 7 - Shopping at Kapalicarsi
As many of you may know I am travelling the first leg of my journey with my Khala (Aunt on my mother’s side). My khala married a Turk and his family live in Istanbul in the winter months though they are originally from the Black sea near Trabzon, a place called Cayeli where- yes you’ve guessed it- they grow Chai (tea). They are all tea farmers by trade and spend the rest of the year in the village to oversee the management of the crops. They are also all some of the nicest people you will ever meet.
My Uncle’s cousin, Murat, decided that he would be our Chauffeur throughout our trip and so from our first day onwards we have been in his company. The whole family are truly lovely.
We were picked up at the airport by my Uncle’s elder brother, Luqman, who also happens to be a taxi driver- very convenient! Unfortunately our flight had been delayed, originally by 10 minutes but we had ended up circling Istanbul for about half an hour so in the end were quite late on arrival so we ended up taking a mad ride back to the house which is on the Kadikoy side of the Bosphorus (Asian) in a district called Acibadem. By mad I mean that Luqman uncle was a taxi driver through and through! J We were between lanes for much of the journey, on the phone, weaving- all those things you are warned about when it comes to drivers in other countries!
Anyway, we made it home safely and that is what counts. We spent the first night at Luqman uncle’s house but moved the next day into Vezirle apartments, where my uncle’s cousins mainly reside. Here we are staying with his other brother, Cengis’s, family. Cengis, Raheeme (his wife), 6 year old Zeynep and 7 month old Cihan. The kids are so adorable I cannot explain! Bless them. They have been so good to us.
In the same apartments reside Raheeme’s mother and brothers, Murat and his brothers’ families, mother and father and sisters. They are the friendliest people, very welcoming, so hospitable and always have smiles on their faces- I have never felt awkward in their presence even with the language barrier. We are always being fed and watered- in fact I don’t think I have ever eaten so much sweet stuff in my life! Syrup chestnuts, Baklava, Turkish delight, halwa, sakar paras- Oh my LORD!! I think I am all sugared out! Good thing we walk around so much every day otherwise I might have out on a stone already. Not so good of the upcoming wedding pictures in Pakistan.....
Did I mention they have the most beautiful view form their roof terrace? I'll attach a picture.
Anyway, it is late and i am shattered. I will fill you in on my exploits later. I think this is enough as an intro, right??
