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Personal notes |
Other opinions
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Harem in Dolmabahce
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It was a small disappointment, the visit of harem. In Topkapi, this is the most harmonious and beautiful area, and I was expecting the same - no way. The area visited by the sultan still keeps some beauty and richness, but the remaining area is poor and somewhat neglected, compared with the male part of the palace. Sultan's mother has a distinctive treatment but far from the official opulence. I think that the visit should be done in opposite order, starting by the harem and reserving the official area to the end. |
Two continents
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I had to visit the Asian side, and, in a quick look, tried to find any difference - I didn't. As a matter of fact that continental separation is only a convention, without any differences in landscape, people or construction. The bridges that connect them have that special meaning - only a few meters of water separating two parts of the same country, the same people, the same city. Only one difference - history and tourism are mainly in European side. |
Traditional costumes
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I know Turkish folklore, and understand the large diversity of the people, creating great differences in music and costumes from place to place. We had a great dinner with folk dancing in Ankara, but nothing in Istanbul. In Topkapi I saw a couple of nice girls, in costume, but the barrier of the language didn't allow me to understand if they were going to dance or coming from dancing. I had their picture... and that was all. |
Poetry in a strange language
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This is hardly a place for foreigners. We were there searching for a alcohol allowed restaurant, and found ourselves in a very dark tiny bar, eating by candlelight, with three people talking in the corner. When we heard a light applause we finally discovered that it was not exactly a common conversation: a lady was reading a Turkish text (poetry?) and the two men were listening, applauding and commenting it in the end. Well, it could be interesting, but not for us, the |
"barbarians" understanding only Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, Italian and Norwegian.
However, the meal and the beer were reasonable, the wine awful, the prices acceptable, and eating in the dark made us laugh.
Address: Istiklal Caddesi, Sadri Sokak, No 22, Beyoglu,
However, the meal and the beer were reasonable, the wine awful, the prices acceptable, and eating in the dark made us laugh.
Address: Istiklal Caddesi, Sadri Sokak, No 22, Beyoglu,
Reverence to Ataturk
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I know the big importance of Ataturk in modern Turkey. It is not surprise his presence everywhere, in official places and political instruments, but I noticed that popular respect follows the same high level of reverence. From taxis to touristy gadgets he is always present. |
Cars
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In my second visit to Istanbul I had the opportunity to visit Volkswagen's "local empire". Big organization, big buildings, big commercial image, but the top of it was a relic - a Beetle car covered with stones. Precious? Not so precious? I don't know, but the car was there, and if you decide to buy it I hope that you'll invite me, to see how do the stones behave facing the wind. |
Construction
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Istanbul is a very big city, that keeps growing all the time. Though the central area seems somewhat controlled (thanks God, thus preserving some authenticity), there are a few "islands" where skyscrapers grow side by side, and construction continues, larger and higher. |
Secondary streets
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To develop
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Great views
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To develop
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