Surviving Turkey

Turkey’s geographic location – on the border between Europe and the Middle East and Asia - has had some influence on the country’s culture as well as its popularity with tourists. While some major Turkish cities are Westernized, Turkey is still a Muslim country and much of Turkey can still be conservative and traditional, so it's important to know a few things that you must not do. Below are some tips to take with you on your trip to Turkey.

Turkish Cuisine

Turkish cuisine is a curious one. The variety of dishes that make up the cuisine, the ways they all come together in feast-like meals, and the evident intricacy of each craft offer enough material for life-long study and enjoyment. It is not easy to discern a basic element or a single dominant feature, like the Italian "pasta" or the French "sauce". Whether in a humble home, at a famous restaurant, or at a dinner in a Bey's mansion, familiar patterns of this rich and diverse cuisine are always present. It is a rare art which satisfies your senses while reconfirming the higher order of society, community and culture. The evolution of this glorious cuisine was not an accident. Similar to other grand cuisines of the world, it is a result of the combination of three key elements. A nurturing environment is irreplaceable. Turkey is known for an abundance and diversity of foodstuff due to its rich flora, fauna and regional differentiation. And the legacy of an Imperial Kitchen is inescapable. The Turkish Cuisine has the extra privilege of being at the cross-roads of the Far-East and the Mediterranean. Thus, the diversity of the cuisine has come to reflect that of the landscape and its regional variations. The cuisine is also an integral aspect of culture. It is a part of the rituals of everyday life events. It reflects spirituality, in forms that are specific to it, through symbolism and practice.

Shopping in İstanbul

Shopping in İstanbul is not just about buying things but an experience itself. The winding roads in the bazaar, complete with its familiar sounds, color and smell get you transported to the pages of Arabian Nights. What you will get at the bazaars can never be guessed upon, as the possibilities are limitless. The prices will depend on how low you can make them, so polish your bargaining skills. Istanbul has been a top choice for shoppers for more than 1,500 years and is famous for its handmade rugs and carpets, antique silver and jewellery, semi-precious stones, spices, sweets and - more recently - pirated DVDs and cheap copies of international-brand clothing, footwear and accessories. Sultanahmet, Istanbul's prime tourist area, is awash with shops selling authentic antiques and handicrafts. These, however, are outnumbered by an even vaster number of establishments selling cheap imitations. More reliable antique dealers can be found along Turnacibasi Sokak, off Istiklal Caddesi. Brand names such as Gucci, Armani and Hugo Boss can be found in the Nisantasi district. Finally the markets you should definitely make your presence felt at are the Grand Bazaar, the Egyptian market and the flea market in Beyazit Square.

Turkish Art

The first main contributions that the Turkish made to the arts coincided with the zenith of Ottoman power between the 16th-18th centuries. Aside from the splendid and unique Ottoman architecture that can still be seen in mosques and buildings across Turkey today, the Ottoman Turks were active in many disciplines within the arts. Through the centuries, Turkish artist and artisans have developed styles of art that are uniquely Turkish. Forbidden by Islam to portray human and animal forms in art, early Turkish artists turned their creative talents to architecture, music, weaving, wood and metal working, ceramics, glassblowing, jewellery, manuscript illumination and calligraphy. Another form of Turkish expression of arts came through horticulture and landscape gardening. Ottoman Turkish literary arts comprised of poetry that is influenced by Persian and Arabic with subject matters of mystical love and the quest for divine union being a prevalent theme throughout this form of Turkish art. Towards the end of the 19th century arts in Turkey began to be influenced more heavily by European art and for the first time Turkish artists started painting still life portraits which had previously not been pursued as a form of art because of religious injunctions discouraging such art. Turkish arts today can still be found in the villages of Turkey where traditional Turkish embroidery and the making of lace has been going on for hundreds of years and is still taking place. These examples of Turkish arts are usually found on sale in the bazaars of most Major Turkish cities. Perhaps the most commonly sold piece of Turkish Art that tourists bring back with them is the small turquoise coloured charm that is supposed to ward off the evil eye, made of clay or glass.

Etiquette and Culture of Turkey

Etiquette, like good motor oil, is the lubricant that enables societies to run smoothly. Take them away and the ride gets bumpy. Turkish people are familiar with the customs of western visitors and are forgiving of blunders, however, it impresses them if you are aware of the customs of Turkey. Turkey’s geographic location – on the border between Europe and the Middle East and Asia - has had some influence on the country’s culture as well as its popularity with tourists. The fusion of east meets west is most apparent in Turkey’s cities with the rural communities retaining many more of the old customs and traditions. However, wherever you chose to visit in Turkey, you should always be aware of some rules of etiquette. While some major Turkish cities are Westernized, Turkey is still a Muslim country and much of Turkey can still be conservative and traditional, so it's important to learn about their etiquette. The most endearing aspects of Turkish culture is their fine delicate etiquette. Good manners are very important in Turkish society. Most of the time a Turk will not openly criticize, or directly say you should do things in a particular way. Instead, a common practice is telling a story that incorporates the issues, and brings one around to think about and hopefully notice the similarity. Another approach is for someone will gently whisper in your ear if the incident is one that need immediate attention. Exposing others faults is considered very rude.  Rather the Turk would attempts to over look the faults of others, and certainly does not bring them to the attention of others. Below are some etiquette tips to take with you on your trip to Turkey.

Sights and Sounds of İstanbul

With its long history at the center of empires, Istanbul offers a wealth of historic and religious places to take in. The bulk of these ancient monuments, date back to Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods. While you are there, apart from seeing the sights, you must make a visit to a hamam, or Turkish Bath. At one time, the nargile, or Turkish water pipe, was the centre of Istanbul’s social and political life. Today some of the locals still consider it one of life’s great pleasures and is something interesting to try. In the south of Sultanahmet, near the sea, is Yeni Marmara, where you can sit in the terrace and enjoy the view. Another area with few big good looking places is the Rıhtım Caddesi, between Galata bridge and Istanbul Modern Museum. Take a tram or walk to Eminönü (where the boats leave for trips to Asia or up the Bosphorus). Visit the New Mosque at the back, then the Egyptian Bazaar next to it, and going further in that direction, locate the Rüstem Pasha mosque with its excellent tiles. It's on a raised platform near an old clothes market. The Galata Tower, Rumeli fortress, Hippodrome, Pera and Golden Horn, Chora Church, Beylerbeyi Palace are some of the places not mentioned in detail but one must try and cover them too. Below are just some of the places one must visit when in Istanbul.

Enchanting İstanbul

The former capital of three successive empires Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman- the city is a fascinating mixture of the past and present, old and new, modern and traditional. One of the great historic cities of the world, Istanbul is the chief city and seaport of Turkey as well as its commercial, industrial, cultural and financial center. The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. Manufactures include textiles, glass, shoes, motor vehicles, ships, and cement. Istanbul is Turkey’s largest and most populous city. Historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople, it is today one of Europe’s most populated cities with its population going over 12 million. The museums, churches, palaces, mosques and bazaars, and the sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible. The city’s over-abundance of important historic buildings, exciting new art galleries and museums provides visitors with more than enough to see during the day, but it’s at night that the place swings into high-velocity, mega-stylish action. The city is located on both sides of the Bosphorus, a narrow strait between Black Sea and Marmara Sea, bridging Europe and Asia, making it the only metropolis in the world that is situated between 2 continents. Istanbul is divided into many districts. Some of these are Bosphorus, Golden Horn, Galata, Sultanahmet Old City, New City, European side, Asian side. Like Rome, Istanbul has been called "The City of Seven Hills" because the oldest part of the city is supposedly built on seven hills, each of which bears a historic mosque.