Despite the satellite dish, the sunset was beautiful from the rooftop
There is a serene calmness as I sit here on my last night in Istanbul. For a city of 20 million it is quite quiet. But then again I am sitting on the rooftop of my hostel 5 stories above the ground. I had just been down on the main pedestrian thoroughfare from Taksim Square – Iskitlal – and it was bustling on this Saturday evening. But up here it is ominously quiet – just me, the rooftops, seagulls, pigeons and mourning doves. As far as you can see in any direction are buildings punctuated with mosques – the telltale dome roof and minerets. Infact, there are so many, they cease to be exceptional in a weird way.
The Turks have no qualms about being open about sex. Viagra, Cialis and others proudly displayed for purchase in the pharmacy window.
I have really enjoyed Istanbul. It has a lot going for it. I feel it was affordable (despite the fact that I chose to spend too much money) and replete with culture, history and energy. It was very safe and the people were good, even if the men were a bit too aggressive. I managed to get ahold of that dilemna fairly swiftly and with a quick “Yok sagol” – no thank you – and carrying on – for the most part they left me alone. And many of the Turkish men are quite lovely to look at! They certainly do not hesitate to show affection whether appropriate or not. But watching those true couples, Western societies have a lot to learn about showing affection freely – unabashedly.
The infamous Turkish toilet. You don't touch a thing.
I also have to say that the Turks are brilliant when it comes to toilets. I know I must have this obsession about this topic – well my father did used to make fun of me given that I always had to go to the bathroom wherever we went, that he accused me of carrying out inspections and being the best well informed. So I do consider myself a bit of an expert. Also I love talking about topics that are a bit taboo. But from the basic clean, touch nothing, turkish toilet (as I was always told they were called) to the western stylized toilet, they seem to know how to blend the eastern and western divide to do with this. Their westernized one is genius and I don’t know why we have not adopted this at home.
Note the small spout at the back of the bowl - perfectly placed!
Your basic toilet is fitted with a spout, right where it needs to be for cleaning, and you don’t even have to move from your position. Yes there is an extra water handle if you choose to use it, but it certainly takes away from that cumbersome hose in Asia that is not cleaner than not using one and is also messy as heck. This Turkish approach keeps it all in the bowl. Brilliant I say – also does away with the bidet approach. Get with it North America.
A father tries to show his son the ropes fishing along the bridge.
Today is now Sunday. Istanbul is quiet on Sunday – at least so far. I leave for Belgrade tonight. An overnight train. Then it looks like I will go to Montenegro and then Croatia before hitting Italy. Watched the final match for UEFA last night. Barcelona beat Manchester United – they just played better – poor Manchester. Well gotta go.
Just wondering how you will ever settle down when you return – I am finding it hard to return to my routine and have only been away for a month.
Who says I will return as such? It is a big world with many ways to live life. I am just trying to figure out how to live the second half of my life.