July 03, 2004 - July 01, 2004
July 03, 2004
Not a pleasant day at all
My USB storage device is washed within a pocket of my pants. All files of this year are gone. Probably most of the stuff can be retrievable but some is certainly gone.
But what is worse, my wallet was stolen last evening and i have realized it just after the USB disaster. My texas id, SSN number card, 2 AMEX cards, 2 chase bank cards, turkish driving licence and Turkish social security card were inside it, not to mention some amount of money.
life seems to be harder than ever today.
Horowitz Foundation Grant
A small financial contribution to my fieldwork. This is the first grant i got for my research project. thanks to Ertan, who called me in the morning to give the good news!
Posted by erkan at 04:33 PM
A 4-day Istanbul trip (2)
When we were wandering around Eminonu on Wednesday, there happened a moment of truth. With the constant dynamism, ever flowing people, boats crossing from European side to Asian side of Istanbul etc I felt that it is an issue of pride to live in Istanbul. Yeah, it is so condensed and so crowded (12 million residents?) but it offers you so many enclaves, so many beautiful places to compensate...
Tuesday: I, Julie and Nurcan are in Grand Bazaar. I have never witnessed rug-bargaining before. Everything is so arbitrary. A seller decreased the price of a beautiful rug-carpet from $2500 to $820! I don't regret to have this kind of experience. Sellers are angry because NATO people did not buy much yesterday... (Grand Bazaar was only open for them).
Spice Bazaar is next to the Bazaar. But it is closed today. But cheese and olive vendors in the premises of Bazaar are open and we taste delicious cheese samples.
As an appetizer in dinner we tried cig kofte. Then we had Buryan kebap. it is made up of lamb meat. Try that, too!
Cetin and Sunduz invited us for tea. That's such a delicious tea session after another tiring day.
Wednesday: Topkapi Palace. You need to buy another ticket to see Harem section. This is a big place, don't place to see Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace in the same day.
Spice Bazaar. Try the Turkish viagra:)
Lunch at Sirkeci train station. Orient Express Restaurant there has delicious food. it is a bit expensive but deserves to try.
you can have also tea at the cafes under the Galata bridge but we did not have time for that.
Julie's first visit to Asia. We took the boat from Eminonu to Uskudar. Uskudar is a nice old district, too. But we did not have time so we took the cab and went to Camlica Hill. It has a nice view of Istanbul. We had tea and looked at Istanbul from top. But i must admit there should be many other hills for sight-seeing. This hill is so family oriented. I got bored quickly.
Dinner at home. You should taste mum's cooking, too!
What Julie missed? Night life in the Istiklal street; a local fast food: lahmacun; Dolmabahce Palace. Next time, Julie!
July 01, 2004
A 4-day Istanbul trip
Julie's 4 day visit to Istanbul made me look at my hometown through a touristic gaze. As Julie said guidance is like a job but thanks to her i myself had a 'taste' of Istanbul again! Eric, Elitza and Kevin are planning to come to Istanbul by August and hopefully other friends will be thinking about it. So the following notes should help the future visitors. Unfortunately, I am too lazy to detail them but i hope whatever i write will be informative...
Sunday: Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque) district: Hippodrome Square. the Museum of Islamic and Turkish Art-
This museum has a funny etnography section. There are models of Turkish family. From nomadic roots to Westernized Turkish family. oh by way, there are no men, change occurs through women!
Lunch at Sultanahmet. There were Texan tourist just behind us. We eavesdropped.
Hagia Sophia. i have been living here for 27 years and never visited until this day. i should have done it before!
Afternoon. Walk at Fatih (district). Women should be ready for stares. Especially Julie's loud talking got enough attention:) Fatih is a hidden treasure but quite a conservative neighbourhood. Have some locals (like me) when you are there.
Dinner: Hot Adana kebap. But the ultimate taste of the day: Kunefe dessert. You should taste this.
Cetin and his wife Sunduz accompanied us. If you come to meet me, you will certainly meet them.
Several tea breaks throughout the day.
Monday: My sister, Nurcan, accompanied us. I have never seen so many policemen together in my life (NATO summit). Our boat trip to Marmara islands or bosphorus boat tour are cancelled. because no boats were allowed to sail today.
istiklal caddesi. That's another must to see! We had tea at Mis Sokak in one of my favourite cafes. At the same time there was a small demonstration of Turkish Communist party. it was a peaceful one.
ice cream at Mado cafe.
Meatball and chicken wings at Otantik restaurant.
visit to a Catholic church.
Julie has been counting the call to prayers. except the first one which is at 4 am she could easily hear the other 4 calls since it is virtually impossible not to hear them. Julie's first visit to a Muslim country.
A good view of Bosphorus at Bogazici University south campus. i am depressed with nostalgia.
Walk at coast in Bebek. We found a pretty coffeehouse by the shore. expensive but no regret. Oh cetin is also with us now. he was wandering around at Istiklal street. he decided to come with us.
Ortakoy. Another nice coast district. more popular. Try kokorec. European Union bans this meat-food. but it is so delicious. i don't think Turks will give up Kokorec.
iskembe at Fatih. This smelly garlic intensive soup is optional! it is delicious but hard to live with. if you are brave enough to have it, then have also pastirma at breakfast.
Posted by erkan at 07:22 PM
