Istanbul, Men and Cats (page 8 of 9)

Hi Catherine, you introduced me to a city I honestly didn’t know—I’d only spent 3 days there. But I didn’t get that crowded feeling, even at Hagia Sophia. I was there in early November, not the best time for the Mediterranean region, but it was so close to my place in Tirana.

My highlights: The Blue Mosque at dusk in the empty courtyard, the muezzin’s call blasting through the speakers—I was completely mesmerized. The view from my bedroom window high above, overlooking the Bosphorus opening into the Sea of Marmara, thinking about all the weight of history in that spot. Wandering across the Galata Bridge, watching the many fishermen. A mosque on the Asian side, where the courtyard was full of cats and the imam was feeding them. When I asked why, he looked up to the sky and said, "God entrusted them to me."

I don’t have any photos left from those three days—life’s ups and downs and moving around took care of that. In a bit of a Balkan style, I can’t remember which book I read this in, but the author said: *I don’t know which country I’m from because the borders have changed so often since I was born.* I’ll share a photo of my cats (I have way more photos of them than of actual places). This one was taken in Sarajevo, another city that captivated me. I’ve been back several times, though I did spend a few months there during the siege. I loved the neighborhoods on the hills with the old Ottoman cemeteries spilling outside their walls, those centuries-old gravestones, and the small mosques with their black minarets.

Luc

Hi Joëlle

Thanks for stopping by—I see my green-throned sultan didn’t go unnoticed 😉 He was a prince, picking up rabaladis. Pure beauty, no frills.

Hey Luc,

Glad I could help you discover other sides of Istanbul! I also loved the mosque at dusk—the atmosphere is pretty mesmerizing... I’ll definitely go back, no doubt about it 😉

The most remarkable! I once had the same experience in Yugoslavia (it was in 1987). I didn’t freeze in place, but it was close... Tall, dark-haired, almond-shaped green eyes, and one of those looks that could knock you off your feet—a wild beauty in all its simplicity. But let’s stick to the theme of Istanbul’s cats, or risk turning your travel journal into a collection of confessions 🙂

Hello, I’d already read/seen your Japan travel journal, and your photographer’s "eye" really touched me. Same goes for this one—thank you for this delightful moment. I visited Istanbul in 1989 and 1991 (before and after the Gulf War), but after my only experience of returning to a country I’d visited 20 years earlier, I swore I’d never do it again. Your journal might just make me change my mind, though—it’s sparked some long reflections. Safe travels, Kate! Ghislaine

These are chestnuts (kestane), they're even sold in sealed packaging with syrup. Today, the weather should be pretty nice in Turkey too. The city is really densely populated—16 million is no small number. I live in this European part of the Orient and sometimes go to Turkey in just an hour and a half by car at most. Over a weekend or 1 or 2 nights, we soak up all the oriental vibes. Greece is only 20 km farther than my favorite stopover, Odrine (Edirne), in Turkey. Check out the knives (shepherd’s knives) from Bursa with horn or other handles. The exchange rate is really good right now...

Thanks, Lolita. It’s totally normal for a city to change in 20 years. Especially in that part of the world! I couldn’t be disappointed since I’d never been there. My travel buddy had experienced Istanbul in 2001—she noticed huge changes but loved it just as much. She just told me she wants to go back! 😉

Those are chestnuts (kestane)

Oh, finally someone answered me! 😉 Besides, I think chestnuts taste better than sweet chestnuts. Thanks for stopping by.

Good evening Catherine, one last one, I promise there won’t be any more—this one’s Slovak:



Luc

The poor guy’s scared even though the dog looks harmless! (You get aggressive too when you're scared, right? 😛)

The chestnut is too tannic, it's inedible. The husk of a chestnut contains only one fruit, but a sweet chestnut has two. The chestnut flour that Corsicans also use is for making fritters. I fried up a few in boiling oil. Once in the oil, a crust forms right away, and the inside keeps heating up. Bing-bing-bing.

Ouch, we're moving away from Istanbul and its cats, but I'll answer you briefly. Most of my many fears didn’t come from people, but from motorcycles (22 accidents, 10 on a moped and 12 on a bike, from skidding to being hit by a car at 120 km/h). But between the ages of 14 and 22, you think you're immortal—can we even call that fear? And also in the mountains while climbing: big falls, borderline passages where a fall would’ve killed me, rocks flying by, and storms on the cliff face. But I like this quote from some super Rambo: if someone insults me, I don’t respond; if they attack me, I run away; and if they corner me, I fight back. Though I’m no super Rambo myself—the last time I got into a fight was in elementary school when I was 8 or 9, but I still remember it vividly, and in my memory, it lasted an eternity. Have a good evening, Luc

The Spanish Jewish Camondos were expelled from Spain during the Inquisition. It’s a shame to have driven out such productive people. Some of the expelled Jews settled (welcomed with open arms) in Turkey, where they also thrived. The Camondos were also present in Italy and France—thanks, Google.

Thanks Kate for this trip to Istanbul 🙂.

I’m a bit like Masterpo: I think I’ll never make it there. You have to make choices in life, and there are so many other places that attract me more. A virtual trip through your words and photos suits me perfectly 😉. Muriel

I love

I just reread your story about Istanbul once again. I think it’s wonderful, and I love your photos—they’re excellent. My husband and I were absolutely smitten with Istanbul. I’ve been back several times since, alone, and wandered its streets as if I were at home. In total, eleven visits and some incredible, often unusual photos. Like in all our travels, we went off the beaten path and made some breathtaking discoveries. Even alone, I explored "forgotten" neighborhoods where the true Turkish soul lives. And what can I say about the kindness of the locals? I was often amazed... So, thank you for bringing back these wonderful memories, with a touch of nostalgia, of course!

Thanks so much, Chimeline! I also really want to go back 😉

I want to go back too 😉

And I’m heading back in 10 days 😎 Maybe Muriel18 and Masterpo have been tempted since then?

Maybe Muriel18 and Masterpo have given it a try since then?

Nope… pfft… Still not. But I haven’t given up hope…

I wanna go back too 😉

... and I’m going back in 10 days 😎 Maybe Muriel18 and Masterpo have been tempted since then?

You’re going back to photograph cats?? 😄