If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul.
– Alphonse de Lamartine
Istanbul… What can I say… Of all the cities I have visited and lived in, this was the one that appealed to me the most and tugged at my heartstrings. From the moment I landed, I knew there was something special about this city. The kindness of its people, the beauty of its architecture, the Bosporus and the serenity of the city. This is my new home away from home.
I didn’t know what to expect when planning for this trip. I had heard a lot about Turkey and its heritage, I wanted to explore and see it for myself. I did the basic planning that most tourists would so; check out the best way to sightsee, where to sightsee, what to eat and most importantly, where to stay. I have to admit that I struck gold when I chose the Alpek Hotel. It was centrally located in the old part of Istanbul, a stone’s throw away from the bazaars and the coffee houses. It was like taking a step back in time, but with the conveniences of modernity thrown in.
Where do I even start. The staff at Alpek were absolutely another level. They took such good care of me and my travel buddy Kate, we honestly felt we were at home and with friends. It didn’t feel like a hotel. It felt like we were crashing at an aunt’s house, such was their hospitality. The gentlemen and ladies there went above and beyond; the service, the advice, the tips and the food, I couldn’t think of anywhere else I would rather have stayed in Istanbul.
The Big Bus Tour of Istanbul was perfect, there are two lines; the red and the blue. Kate and I took both on alternate days. We were exposed to a mix of the old side of Istanbul, charming, quaint and full of culture with traditional street dances and performances and, we had the opportunity to pass through the glitzy modern malls and cafes where the shopping was exciting, the sales genuine and the cafes relaxing. It was a mix of both worlds, a very good mix and one that gave us the impression that the Turks have succeeded in combining their culture and heritage with conveniences of the modern worked in a way that makes you appreciate and fall in love with the city and its people. The seamless transition between the East and the West, best exemplified by the ferry, was one of the factors that made this such a pleasurable city to visit.
Dinner on the water was a treat. The food, the dancing and the ambience were quite something. The nightlife continued in Istanbul until morning and there was never a moment we were bored. If anything, in the few days in Istanbul, Kate and I drank more coffee than we had the previous 6 months of the year, just to keep up with our full schedules. With so much to do, no wonder it is a tourist hub. There were a lot of folks from the Gulf and I can imagine why, the magnificent mosques that date back centuries, steeped in history. And did I mention the churches? In my opinion, Turkey is not only physically the confluence of West and East, it is also the ideological confluence of Eastern and Western Civilization in a balanced package.
I’ll surely be back, Istanbul!
