Visited the city on a business trip. I have to say that the most interesting things about Istanbul for me were the long historical view you get in the city, and the uncanny resemblance Turks have with Mexicans.
As usual with these kind of posts, pictures say it better.
A city between cultural zones and continents, it has more than 10 million people and number of different names throughout history (maybe Byzantium or Constantinople ring a bell). So many different peoples have lived in it, that excavations for the metro and the Marmara project have found ancient ruins (just like Templo Mayor in Mexico City).
Traders by nature, the culture of haggling in its bazaars is very well developed.
The Aya Sofya, one of the most imposing religious buildings I have ever been to, started its life as a church, became a mosque and is now a national museum.
Mexican similarities exhibit A: look at this baker's bread-carrying tecnique.
Mexican similarities exhibit B: Kebabs are way too similar to tacos al pastor.
Related posts:
- Istanbul again Spent a few days in Turkey for work so didn’t...
- Turkey once more Spent some time in Turkey for work. It was quite...
- Mexican Bicentennial celebrations It is not every day that a country celebrates its...
- Madrid It’s always a pleasure to visit Spain, even if for...
- Mexico notes As my previous post detailed, I spent a great holiday...
Happy new year! Istanbul’s a real cultural gem. reminds me of sipping apple tea.. a game of backgammon with pipes by the side and great monuments all around. Hope you had a great time there.
It was a nice place indeed. Thanks!
.-= chivacongelado´s last blog ..Snowstorm in Southern Finland =-.