The 4 days in Istanbul has already come to an end, and we've really enjoyed it. Turns out this city is the perfect mid-point between India and Europe. There are many similarities, or quirks that you can see have evolved from what was once the same as Asia, yet at the same time there are things that are reassuringly European.
1. Chai wallah.
In India young boys run round the streets with chai to be doled out to all the shop owners.
In Turkey there are men that work in çay (pronounced chai) shops transporting just as much tasty tea to other shops.
2. Goods transportation.
India, there are fit men carrying anything you care to think of on their backs in the baking sun.
Turkey, the same fit men now have trolleys to trundle along all the cobbled streets.
3. Men.
In India and Turkey men travel in groups and are definitely the louder more obvious gender.
4. Begging.
In both countries there are still obvious gaps in income, however we have seen nothing in Turkey that compares to the slums of India.
There are still street children coming up to you and pulling at your sleeve for money and food, and it's obviously just as difficult to know what to do.
5. Markets.
Yet again both countries have markets that will sell you anything as long as its for the right price.
However saying "no thank you" in India will get you nowhere. Of course you want this camel hump umbrella stand, you just haven't said no enough!
The selling is no way near as agressive in Istanbul and we've had a lot of free Turkish Delight. Bonus!
We think this crossover had come from Turkey being in both Asia and Europe. Not a qualification many countries can boast. Apparently the best of both worlds.
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