Istanbul, October 23rd

Our First two days were great in Istanbul, Turkey. Walking tour and Bosphorus Cruise gave the start to explore and to establish connections with my dream city. On the 3rd day our plan was to stay around the area and take it easy and enjoy the goings on in the downtown and surrounding area. Lo and behold, while having breakfast, we noticed that the road was bustling with activity. There was, apparently, a Farmer’s Market every Wednesday in Sultanahmet, the area where our hotel happened to be. We were excited that it did not conflict with what we had planned, and relieved that we wouldn’t miss the fun and exploration of the local color and insights into social traditions and food culture in Turkey. The focal point of most people is food, but Turkish are famous for their delicious food and their unparalleled hospitality. They like nothing better than sitting down to a delicious meal with family and friends, acquaintances, and even people they just met are also welcomed to share their meal with genuine affection.

While having our breakfast, we could already plan our lunch as we saw a vendor setting up his stand for delicious street food, and we knew the kebabs with all its trimmings will surely be in the offing. Although food is the main lure for the people in any festival or farmer’s market, but ingredients and fresh vegetable for making food, as well as variety of Merchandise draw people to the event in large numbers.

We not only had a great kebab lunch but also bought some clothing items. Amazing amount of fresh farm products were arranged in order not only of magnitude , but also brilliance of colors, and varieties. Added to it was a full spectrum of fruits and nuts. Simply put, they displayed a panorama of temptations, impossible to resist for the shoppers. Therefore; We couldn’t resist buying Turkish baked items, Turkish delights, and nuts for snacks which lasted throughout our stay.

After spending an interesting day around the hotel we were staying in, we were ready for some rest before we went out to dinner. We found Mesale Restaurant which was also in Sultanahmet. we had a delicious meal of Turkish kebab, Turkish bread (which was being made by a lady a few feet away from where we were sitting), rice, salad and more. Different levels of activity around was interesting; some people eating, some having coffee and desserts and others had moved on to smoking their Hukkah. Most surprising was the fact that there were lots of women smoking Hukkah and all were having a great time. When we were growing up, Hukkah was popular in Hyderabad but I never imagined a woman smoking, let alone a Turkish woman smoking it. Jaffer decided to give it a try.

The ambience was soothing with soft lighting and peaceful music to which whirling Dervishes were performing on a centrally set stage in their stunning, angelic dance called Sema in their white robes and felt caps. Their flowing white robes called a tennure, and cylindrical felt cap called asikke.

Sema is a religious dance performed to achieve the love of God. Its Origin is with a Turkish Islamic sect called sufism founded by Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi. The following youtube video presents whirling Dervishes performing.

A perfect day in Istabul had an emotional and fulfilling end. We had a great time. For more info on Dervishes click here

 

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