Yet another blog about Istanbul - I guess I keep myself sane in this country with these thoughts...
Some weeks ago I was sitting on the bus, annoyed by all the possible Turkish habits that are so aggravating, encountered especially when traveling with one of those cheap bus companies. I was pissed, the bus, already running about an hour delay, wasn't about to move because the staff was looking for extra passengers. On top of that I was about to be taken to one of my currently least favorite places. The cold place, where I managed to completely forget why it is that I have ever liked and been fascinated by this country. I wasn't happy at all...
But then I looked outside, it was sunny, about 15 degrees, one could already feel signs of spring in the air. Across the dirty, crowded bus station, I could see the Bosphorus and the other shore, the view was amazing. Actually every view in Istanbul is fascinating. There are those obvious ones, the Bosphorus, Topkapi across the Golden Horn, Galata tower at night etc. etc. But then there are also those views of scenes in the city in front of one's eyes at every moment and yet so fascinating. I often find myself watching the chaos of the city, the houses built with no sense of planning or order, the people among them, the colorful crowds, the chaotic traffic in the tiny streets that have been here for hundreds and more years, the covered women carrying around their babies, the men sitting, drinking tea, the bakkals on the street corners, the street sellers' of everything possible shouts into the crowds, the peaceful silence when fishing in the middle of the Bosphorus, the solitude and greatness of the ancient mosques, the secrets hidden in little streets deep inside of Istanbul's old districts... I think about all these things and I begin to feel much better. There is something mystical, clear, ordinary and yet so special, indescribable about this place. I could walk this city for years and I would always feel the magic of it around me, always discover something new.
I realize again, after quite a long time, that I love the way I feel here, I love discovering all the strange, unknown and amazing. I love this city, country and I can learn so much from it. I love living here, learning about its present and its past.
I so wish I wouldn’t forget about this passion when in my current place of residence in Turkey, which, often full of the worst Turkish habits, seems to try to deny that fact that it is in fact in Turkey, a place that tries so hard (and with the worst success) to appear prestigious and American. How am I to learn what I came here to learn and love the learning when most of what's amazing and fascinating about Turkey stays forcefully shut outside of this place's door...
