So we're half way through our mini visit to Istanbul this half term. I am so relieved I still love it here! From the moment we see off our boiling hot (broken air-con?) Turkish Airlines flight, to this rare moment of tranquility sitting on a friends balcony (daddy and small one at the park), I have allowed the passionate, busy and absolutely unique spirit of this city back under my skin. We spent a day in Sultanahmet sight seeing, before heading to stay with friends who have let us invade their gorgeous tranquil apartment with our backpacks and rowdy 15 month old.
Anyway. I'm under no illusions of the cultural challenges we will will face when we move here and how tough some of these adjustments will be. Here are my top 5... 1. There is no such thing as health and safety here- and no one to sue that cares! Seriously, the roads are constant trip hazards (great fun with a no- suspension buggy) and the balconies and stairwells are quite open and eye-watering high. Kids walk on the rooftops of their apartments here- I can't even look! So safety wise with kids- you just gotta be on it (and lock them up til they're 12?!). 2. On the subject of kids.... The Turks love them. Love. Them. We got shifted to the front of every queue at the airport to get through security the Turkish end all because little sir was airing his lungs! Cue also, a Turkish man picking up my son and walking off to his family to all cuddle, pinch his cheeks, sit on their laps and murmur in English 'are you coming home with me? Yes?' Cue nervous laughter from the tired, boiling hot (the broken air-con remember?!) British mother buried under luggage. 3. The food here is taken seriously. Meals are a social event of great honour as its the honour of the host to serve you as opposed to in England where it lies with the guests. There are restaurants every 10 yards, and food is good, nutritious and cheap. Cue pide, a type of meat and cheese pizza bread, dolmas, bulgar, kebabs, salads, plenty of ekmek (bread) and cay and a sweet to finish. 4. You gotta get used to hearing the Call to Prayer. 5 times a day this melodic hauntingly beautiful singing echoes (blares?!) put from the speakers in the nearest cami (mosque) towers near you. If there's one near your bedroom window at 5 am this is especially fun. The baby slept though it and so did hubs... 5. Sevgi. This means love in Turkish and when love is found here, it is real. People are incredibly loyal and the whole of Istanbul society works in friendship. If you need a job doing, no matter the cost you call your sisters friends brothers business. Our hotel on the first night got us his brothers taxi firm - classic example of this. There is no fake niceties here, no polite small talk about things that don't really matter. Turkish people want to know their new English friend so ask every question they want - even your age and what you earn. So there you go, a few insights into our trip so far. We are having a great time and we love Turkey.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorBHK, a wife, a mother, believer. Loves to swim, journal, create fantastic Shellac nails, shop and eat chocolate. Negotiating life, parenthood and community in Istanbul. Archives
December 2016
Categories |