Istanbul 30.10.12

Our first full day out and about in Istanbul showed it to be the result of the mixing of many cultures over several millennia.  We “did” the Blue Mosque early to beat the queues and found it as superb as oft reported.  Walked several side streets and admired the queue for the Aya Sophia, the Cisterns, the  Topkapi  palace and opted for a bus ride through the town and over the Galata Bridge.

From the open-topped,  double- decker bus, the view of the city and its people further enhanced my liking for this place.  The smells as we passed the spice market and the fishermen at the foot of the bridge penetrated the diesel fumes from extraordinary traffic volumes.  The driver seemed to be of the old school, believing if the horn is loud enough the “Red sea” of traffic will part. Twice through the Taxim Square and twice round the Bistakis Football seemed excessive until you see the clubs emblem on the front of the stadium, you guessed it black and white stripes and the magpie logo.  Ahh, the insidious reach of religion, even here, where mosque and church live side by side.

girls,girls,girls

As ever my eye, and when possible, my camera lens, are drawn to people, not places. The two girls in front of us, attractive 30 somethings trying to be 20ish, sound a bit Russian, high cheekbones, Louis Vouton  paraphernalia  and bling. Squealing with delight at each fresh sight and leaping up, with cameras held at arm’s length, to take photos of themselves,  pout if it was less than perfect, frantic attempts to adjust hair and try again.  I was going to suggest that it would be easier if they swapped cameras and photographed each other but I was having too much fun.

Then, the highlight of the day, crossing the Bosporus, gazing down at the point referred to in my Herodotus (Chapter 4. 8.  513. “ …after Darius, son of Hystaspes, gazed on the Bosporus he set up two pillars of stone, engraved in Assyrian, to list the passing of his 700.000”) the bus accelerated to 100kms, the updraft off the straits roared through the open-topped bus and wrenched awry the coifs of the unwary and the gods of the Pentax Rapid- shot exacted fearful vengeance.

Never did see the pillars.

Never mind, I suspect even the gods had a laugh.

Peter.