Travel Chronicles – Europe (2015) – Istanbul

We went to Istanbul during the month of Ramadan, being there during Ramadan turned out to be the best experience in Istanbul. The city was festive, and we took in what the festival had to offer.

We went to the Blue mosque twice – once as a visitor to the inside and once around 10:30PM at the time of evening prayer to the courtyard. Inside, we had a good view of the prayer hall adorned with many blue tiles, while the locals and muslims were doing their prayers.

What I liked better was the experience in the evening in the courtyard which reminded me of the courtyards of Hindu temples in south India. The Ramadan prayer was coming through the speakers and it was nice to watch kids playing and adults socializing.

Right next to the blue mosque was the Hagia Sophia. This was a church during the Byzantine period, converted into a mosque during the Ottoman period and finally, a museum in the current times. Its use as a mosque and earlier use as a church were both evident from the inside. Big circular medallions with Islamic (was it in Arabic?) calligraphy on them were hung from the columns. Then, there were mosaics of Jesus, Virgin Mary and others.

For all the hype it had, the Basilica Cistern was a disappointment. Apart from it being historical, I could not admire much of it. The Topkapi palace museum with its courtyard gardens, treasury, armory, and several rooms and chambers with tiled and cloth decorations was a satisfying visit.

Very unfortunately, we could not see the Dolmabahce palace which is supposed to be magnificent.

Istanbul is a paradise for shoppers and eaters. As you walk around the main tourist attractions in and around the Sultanahmet area – not to mention yet of the famed and historical spice and grand bazaars – you will find sweet shops showcasing cascades of several varieties of Turkish Delights and Baklava.

I am not much of a shopper or a food connoisseur. Nevertheless, the grand bazaar and spice bazaar were good attractions just to visit. Spice bazaar had shop after shop colorfully displaying extensive collections of spices, teas, Turkish delights and henna. It was a delight to just see the arrangements. True to the name of Spice bazaar, shops here almost exclusively sold these. Grand bazaar was much bigger than Spice bazaar, and unlike Spice bazaar was not limited to shops selling spices and teas. In particular, there were several shops selling a variety of hookahs.

I have to mention the lovely roasted chestnuts we enjoyed while walking around. Vendors sold freshly roasted ones on carts everywhere.