Turkish Folk Dances Thought I booked a whirling dervish performance through my hotel in Beyoğlu. In Istanbul communication isn’t always easy, since few people speak English. The person I usually ask for help wasn’t available, and the concierge who helped didn’t understand me. Instead of the Mevlevi Sema Ceremony, he booked a cultural show of Turkish…
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Bosphorus Strait to Macar Bay Yesterday, I took an excursion from Eminönü to Anadolu Kavağı, a small seaside village on Macar Bay at the entrance to the Black Sea. It was a mesmerizing day enjoying astonishing views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus Strait! Even with sunscreen, I got sunburned. The ferry departed Eminönü dock at…
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After a few days in Istanbul, I’m smitten with the vibrant, diverse, exotic city where things are always in motion! Communication is slightly more difficult than I remembered from a previous visit, although I’m getting by. None of the flight attendants on Turkish Airlines spoke English. When I asked for details about landing and immigration…
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These weeks in Rome have passed so quickly! It’s sad that as I’m settling in and beginning to conquer the Italian learning curve, it’s time to move on to Istanbul. I resist the “moving part” of each leg on a long trip – knowing everything is going to change completely overnight and a new orientation…
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Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are two of Istanbul’s best-known and most beloved attractions. The magnificent architecture of both structures is indescribably beautiful, and their history seems endless. From early morning to dusk, rain or shine, long lines of visitors admire the exterior of these two amazing structures and wait to view the inside. The…
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Was it a dance performance, a spiritual ceremony, or both – not sure what to think about the Whirling Dervishes performance last night? It was mildly hypnotic but not what I expected. The proper name for a Whirling Dervishes performance is – Mevlevi Sema Ceremony. Founded in 1273, the Mevleviye are a Sufi order that…
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I’ve spent the last several days exploring Istanbul neighborhoods seeing famous attractions and observing everyday Turkish life. The weather is slightly overcast but not cold or unpleasant. Hopefully we’ll have sunshine in the next few days. Beyoğlu and Eminönü – Istanbul’s Backstreets, Bazaars, Hookahs, and Çay Istanbul has 39 districts and many unique neighborhoods, quarters,…
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