Istanbul, Men and Cats (page 7 of 9)

Let her dream...

He tells me I’m beautiful That he’s been waiting just for me He tells me I’m the one Made just for his arms...

-"Catherine! Ca-the-ri-ne? Hey Kate!! Daydreaming or what? Fancy a coffee?" -"What? No coffee, but I’d love a giant loukoum pulled by a cart full of raki... Say, did you see that alien with the flying cart?" -"Yeah, I saw him! What can you do, that’s just how it is—life’s like that."

Alright, let’s go get that coffee.

OK, let's grab a coffee.



The coffee, I guess that’s the thing on the left. On the right, let’s just say it’s mouthwash, but what’s in the middle? Turkish delight?

😄 No, it's not mouthwash—it's water in a pink glass. And in the middle, there’s a baby Turkish delight (which I swallowed in one quick gulp).

Poor Kate! What a shame! Kate’s story with the green-eyed Turkish guy could’ve been beautiful 😉

The shortest stories are often the most beautiful 😉😕 You can see why by looking at this photo: https://www.buseterim.com.tr/tr/moda/unluler/kivanc-tatlitug-yeni-sezona-hazir He’s a Turkish actor, Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ. My Turkish guy looked just like him—like two peas in a pod!

And guess what? I ran into him again! Same thing—cart noises, our eyes meeting, etc., etc. I wanted to take his picture, but I could tell he didn’t feel like it. So I didn’t. Too bad, I really wanted a new wallpaper 😇

Wow, that’s something else! 😅🐱 I get it! It definitely leaves an impression 😄

I had a feeling I’d love everything about this neighborhood 😇 We wander through Balat, Istanbul’s historic Jewish quarter, once a working-class area. Now the hipsters are moving in. But it’s the good kind of hipster. I, for one, love it. The vibrant boutiques, cafés, and artist studios sit alongside old wooden houses. Still, the place doesn’t seem to get many visitors...

Yeah, we already knew about Turkish coffee. But here, it's more like the Turkish café? ^^

He’s really on fire today, the master!!

What, that's it, the story's over? With a weird coffee and a tiny pink Turkish delight? Pffft... this crazy story fizzled out, as they say...

We’re soaking up this treasure-filled labyrinth one last time...





...before climbing up to the Fatih district, which feels much more "religious." A charming little square offers benches that invite you to rest. I look around at this neighborhood life—some people playing cards, others doing their shopping, and kids playing with the cats. Outside one shop, a rack displays black dresses with hijabs, niqabs, and burqas to choose from. A woman hesitates. Will she pick a black dress or *another* black dress? I’m reminded of how lucky I am to be French... People watch us with curiosity, but their gazes are kind, and their smiles are gentle.

What, that’s it, the story’s over? With a coffee thingy and a mini pink lokum? Pfffff ... this absurd tale fizzled out, as they say ...

Yep, the story’s over—the handsome Turk is now just a sweet memory! But you know, that pink lokum was seriously good 😛

End of the story, goodbye Istanbul, thanks everyone 🙂

Thanks for this beautiful story about Istanbul 🙂 This city has moved up to the top of my list of places to visit... hoping to have the same encounters 😇.

I just flipped through the seven pages of this travel journal again to relive all those images... You beautifully wrap it up with that bohemian touch I love, where new cats you encountered naturally weave in.

I really loved your approach—you managed to surprise me.

I’d seen other journals (like Vazyvite’s), other photos... and some old documentaries that fascinated me a while back (especially about old houses or palaces along the Bosphorus). Of course, I recognize a certain vibe and some familiar details, but your perspective feels quite different.

I was expecting to see certain images, but I’m discovering others... This journal, more bohemian than Grand Bazaar, suits you perfectly and makes me even more eager to go!

(The pink lokum looks like a marshmallow...)

Fatih, much more "religious"

Makes sense, it’s the anagram of Faith...

End of the story, goodbye Istanbul, thanks to everyone 🙂

While the story was entertaining and original, the ending felt a bit abrupt ^^

And unlike the red-haired girl from Isère, if Istanbul was in the soft spot of my VAVs, it’ll stay there. Oh well, there are the cuties. No biggie, I’ll just keep hunting for them in Venice 😛

Good evening Kate,

What? The walk is already over! 😉 Too bad, I was gently lulled by it. Thanks for all these beautiful images and lovely moments.

@Rouquine

This city has climbed back to the top of my list of cities to visit... hoping to have the same encounters 😇.

Some encounters, even if fleeting, can leave a lifelong mark 😇

@Ming

I really loved your approach; you managed to surprise me.

Thanks, Catherine, what you said makes me so happy. Finding the right balance is tricky—some practical info but not too much, a touch of emotions, a few dashes of humor, and, for me, especially photos that are as polished as possible. I spent a lot of time sorting, selecting, and editing them.

@Masterpo

While we were lulled by a fun and original story, the ending felt a bit abrupt ^^

Oh no, nothing’s ever really over—the proof is we’re still talking! 😛 I never meant to make anyone want to... When you’re stuck on something with preconceptions, it’s complicated, and I feel the same way about other destinations. But curiosity has pushed me to take trips that weren’t even on my list before.

@Bluequark Thanks 🙂

Too bad, I was gently lulled.

In the end, I was lulled by some memories too 😉

I let myself be lulled

Judging by the posts on this page, there are at least three of us who were lulled ^^

I let myself be lulled

From what I see in the messages on this page, there are at least three of us who were lulled ^^

Oh yeah, that’s right 😎

Hi Kate, I’m finally caught up on your travels! Istanbul is also on my VAV list 😉... but given all the construction you mentioned, I’ll have to wait a bit! Well, before the green-eyed Stamboulite gets too old As usual, your travel journal is a pleasure to read. Great photos too—they really bring your story to life, even with all those cats... a whole different side of the city, one I probably wouldn’t have seen since I’m more the type to avoid them 😉 That’s what’s so great about these journals—every perspective is different and SO enriching. I really loved the diversity of women, the street scenes, and those charmingly run-down old neighborhoods. Can’t wait for the next one! 🙂