“hey, is that the tallest tower in Istanbul ?” I asked sitting at the back of a car with three very special friends. Got No response.
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| Galata Tower |
I looked outside the window, as some Turkish pop created perfect atmosphere to the illuminated skyline. I could see the Bosphorus bridge, lights resembling floating candles, mosques lit up and dome buildings that could take your breath away. My tummy resembled a dome too. My jacket button was hanging at its last strength. I couldn’t have eaten anymore. And where were we headed? A posh restaurant for a 7 course meal ! why don’t humans have four stomachs like cows ? I for sure would be making excellent use of it.
The car comes to a screeching halt ! .. Damn, couldn’t the restaurant be two hours away.. its hard to breathe with tummy full of Istanbul street food I have gorged all day.
“Ahhh… the tower !!! why are we here.. ” I ask awestruck.
“Because you asked for it while in the car”…
“No, I didn’t… I just asked what is that beautifully illuminated tower called.. You guys are crazy ” I reach out to hug them
*beaming with surprise and happiness*
What happened when we climbed up the tower is an another story all together. *giggles*
But these are the kind of people I spent my two weeks with. They are darlings! There is so much love.. so much love that sometimes I feel I resemble a dome of love. That explains my excess 4 kilos on the weighing scale.
Have you ever loved a place even before visiting it ? Well, its not difficult. When you know the people, its easy to fall in love with the place they come from. I made great Turk friends while they visited India. Hence, even before stepping on their soil, i knew bits and pieces of their culture, nature and lifestyle. However, having spent 12 days in the country my expectations were exceeded by miles.
Its 5.40 am. London is still asleep. (when i first typed this)
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| my search for tranquility ended here |
I am wrapped up in my duvet marveling at the good times I have had. 12 hours ago, I was in another country. A country that takes pride in its numerous assets. For me, People are the Numero Uno.
Turkiye is special. I have had two memorable weeks in the land of blue mosque, grand bazaars, buzzing nightlife, Ottoman history and Ibiza’s equivalent Antalya. *hipshake*
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| Pumpkin family |
I met a Norwegian couple, who have lived in Australia, Germany before.. now settled in a beautiful hilltop house in the country side with a mesmerizing ocean view. They transform odd shaped water pumpkins into exquisite art work. This couple in their 60s decided to leave everything they had in Norway and settle in a remote hilltop just after visiting the place once. Now they spend their time creating splendid designs on pumpkins and painting/ scrubbing their bare walls of their new home. This is how Turkey fascinates its guests.
What do I like the most ? FOOD. At breakfast, we think about lunch and at lunch we think about dinner.. at dinner we think about midnight snack. This is how much we eat and think about what to eat. My friends in London will vouch for that. And my dome shaped tummy and jacket button to its last strength is a testimony of the delicious food I ate while I was there.
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| first course? you gotta be kiddin me |
My meals would be two big portions of Mousaka. Yum YUM… My mouth waters as I type. Also, their local street food, dunno its turkish name but its grilled fish in bread. The location is exotic. There are these Ottoman Boats with gold craving and flashy decor docked at the sea. And men in Ottoman costumes cook, grill rather , grill fresh fish and serve. Something so normal like street food is being transformed to extraoridinaire.
One eats to live. I live to eat. Plus, I was fortunate enough to be taken to some of the most exotic places to eat by my friends. *big kiss to all of them* Dinner would at times me accompanied with live music. When the singer singers a tragic/ heard break/ happy song, us indians are dancing , clapping and whistling to its melody.
One night dinner was at a Turkish version of Japanese Teppanyaki grill. I can still smell the aromas of fresh meat being grilled and the pan going "iiiiizzzzz"
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| sizzle em drizzle |
The cook , also the owner, cooked as though he performed for his guests. In a span of 2 mins, he grilled, he smoked, he drank, he plated food and much more. It looked as though he danced while cooking. That shows how much love he put into his dishes and the food is finger licking good. If you visit Turkey, you must visit ‘Ojak Bashay’ (wrong spelling, right pronunciation). The man put an extra does of his killer chill mix for the brown skinned me and that tingled my every taste bud and watered my eyes a lil bit.i loved it. Until this trip, i was never a fan of red meat. But believe me, in these two weeks I have compensated for all those years in the past that I stayed away from red meat. How can one say no … No chance!
*sigh*
- If you ever think that you have experienced true pampering in some top notch spa and want to exceed it , I suggest two words - Turkish Hammam.
Centuries ago, the rulers pampered themselves by the way of spa treatments in real royal style. Turkey still retains it in all its glory for you and me. yayy! One of the few things I did after getting home is googled “Turkish Hammam in London”, if I get a chance to visit TH once a month, I will be the worlds happiest human. Think about it, sauna, steam, steam menthol, Jacuzzi, exfoliate bath, oil massage, face pack, sauna again, foam bath. Cups and cups of Apple tea before and after every session. By the end of it all, I wanted to pack the hammam lady in my suitcase and bring her home. I was ready to pay excess. And btw, the soap doesn’t smell like hammam soap in India. Or does it ? I was too intoxicated/ zonked by the pampering to notice. They spoil you. I envy the locals to have this facility.
Visit to the Hammam was like entering Laa Laa Land... There must be a Hamman in heaven.
Oh God, i want Hammam access too.. :'(
Visit to the Hammam was like entering Laa Laa Land... There must be a Hamman in heaven.
Oh God, i want Hammam access too.. :'(
I have probably seen 20% of Turkey. And I can write pages and pages about it. Let some of my amateur clicks do the talking…
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| " i i follow.. i follow u.. deep sea baby.. i follow you.. " |
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Another interesting similarity is that both countries make some ridiculous movies. while we have Rajnikant's stunts and some disturbing villains, i learnt that there is plenty to laugh about in their films too. An old man, who drugs women to take "advantage" in clubs saying "come to me darling.. i am your uncle.. i will protect you" The girl drinks Coca cola. Next scene, the girl is under covers on her "uncle's" bed. I was shown his photo on google and he poses in most of his photos with a glass in hand. Cheeky Oldie.i am so bad with names. I tried googling his picture. But i get weird suggestions when i type " turkish actor to drugs women to rape".. Jeez , what was i thinking !
Now you'll agree we have maybe not jacket throwing baby production but similar. In Indian cinema chin to chin kiss and ta- da the girl is pregnant... ! Its Instant..
Now, India hasn't reached to this alarming rate of population explosion by chin kissing... have we !
Discovering Turkey was fascinating, an experience like no other. I have a long list of places i want to visit in Turkey. One can camp in the most exotic locations, watch the sunrise (for you) sunset (for me) and live in style. Capadoccia, Izmir, Pamukkale, Konya so much to see. I have seen nothing yet.. This seems like just the beginning. Hopefully, i get a chance soon to fall in love again and again. I am sure, it wouldn't fail to mesmerize me.
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