My Favorite Part of Istanbul
Örtaköy. On the European side of Istanbul and probably the hardest place to get to from where we are! Getting to and from involved two busses, a boat, and a taxi. As we were driving in there was a tree spray painted with "CORRUPTION!" and I knew I was in the right part of town.
Örtaköy is the artsy-est part of Istanbul. Every Sunday artists display and sell their work in an art bazzar, we even met a 30 award winning comic artist! Its the place to go for fun culture and to watch the artists actually work at their tables.
This part of Istanbul is also the most publicized. Whenever a news program or travel show comes to Istanbul, you can bet they will be filming there (Matt Laure (sp?) did in the NBC's Today Special). There's a reason why of course (and I'm about to tell you).
Istanbul is extremely proud of their modern bridges crossing the bospherous, and they are impressive (especially on the top floor of a two decker bus going across it and being above the guard rails!) In Örtaköy is a very ornate, beautiful, old mosque. Looking at this mosque by the water, one has a clear view of the bridge. That view is said to summarize Istanbul with the old and modern living together in harmony.
The streets are very old and European being windy and narrow. But words can only say so much so pictures!!
Wonderful description - do more, also pictures, many pictures, TUS