It took a few jetlagged days, but the magnificence of Istanbul has penetrated my conciousness.
Hip and timeless, historic and sophisticated, modern and ancient. This place is a crossroads of humanity, an historic locale where everything meets everything.
Sure, I could try and explain in detail the stunning beauty of The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, The Hagia Sophia, The Basilica Cistern, The Grand Bazaar and The Galata Bridge, The Spice Bazaar, not to mention The Archeological Museum.I'll leave it to others to do that.
I generally prefer to walk and Istanbul is a perfect a locale for a traveler on foot, as each of the above sites are within walking distance of Sultanahmet.
With a population between 12 and 16 million, Istanbul could qualify as the largest city in Europe, if not for the fact that it sits on the border between Europe and Asia and clearly one could spend weeks here before conquering Istanbul fully.
As I write this I am sitting on the Asian side of the Galata Bridge, drinking a beer. The Galata Bridge is a favourite spot for locals to fish. Underneath the bridge is a bunch of bars and restaurants. As I quaff my pint, I find something comical in seeing sardine sized fish being pulled up by unseen anglers, a sort of piscatorian marionette show.
I stand in line, lay down my cash, and am quickly rewarded with a fresh bit of fish on a fresh piece of bread with fresh onion and a delicious sauce. Simple, but fantastic.
Satiated, I head back to the bar for another pint and as I sit under a bridge watching people above fish as trams go by every few minutes, I can't help but think to myself; this place works, as I lament the state of affairs in my own hometown.
Noting that my lodging is a continent away, I cut the evening short and head back to my hotel room . As I hop on the tram, I can't help but think that Istanbul must be the easiest town to visit on the planet.
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