Istanbul; Grand Bazaar, Istiklal

After a leisurely breakfast, started the day with a stroll to Kapilicarsi, the Grand Bazaar. It is a phenomenon worth witnessing but it is not pleasant shopping. Very few stall-holders allow you to walk past without molesting you or trying to sell you their products. You end up being quite rude, which is a shame because the poor blokes (yes it is blokes – only) are just trying to earn a quid!

Jumped the tram to the north side of Istanbul, across the Golden Horn (an historic deep water port which splits Istanbul). A long and very steep walk from the train-stop lead us to Taksin Square and the top end of Istiklal – the main shopping area/street/mall for Istanbul, which, incidentally, has a population of about 12 million people, so a few shops are needed. This was a very pleasant experience wandering along this broad street, with only an occasional tram or police car to dodge. It goes for kilometres or so it seems, with none of the hassling by retailers of the other shopping areas. There was a broad range of retail outlets with a lot of tourists.

Along one side were occasional ‘interruptions’ to the pattern, with many embassies fronting onto the street. Also, to our surprise, was a Catholic Church, St Anthony’s, with a large bronze statue of John XXIII outside.

A remarkable sight in the midst of an Islamic country, but then again, you never know what to expect in tolerant Turkey.

The walk down the hill through the poorer, outlying retail areas highlighted the OHS hazards of walking Istanbul streets. It was being dug up to repair drainage, but ‘caveat emptor’ or the walking equivalent. I think the golfers call it GUR or ground under repair.

The stroll across the Golden Horn bridge was very pleasant. The water was like Bourke St on a Friday (oops, those north of the border, read that as Pitt St) with water craft everywhere. Fishermen on the bridge seemed to be catching heaps of small sardines, despite the turbulence (perhaps because of it).

Walked through the Spice Market on the way home. It is much the same as the Grand Bazaar, with a few differences – many more spice sellers being one of them.

Apart from the Istiklal area, a remarkable aspect of Istanbul shopping is the way it is organised into regions. All the clothing and footwear shops are in one area, while another has all the electronic gear, another has all the stationery items of pens, paper, drawing instruments, art supplies etc, with bridal and wedding gear in another and so on. So much for one of those theories long forgotten from 3rd year Geography (was it Central Place theory? Christaller? – does anyone care?).

We will get an early night in preparation for tomorrow’s cruise on the Bosporus (or Bosphorus for some)