Disappointing end

Today I wanted to explore the more European urban area of Istanbul. The main area of Taksim was somewhere I hadn’t seen much of previously.

I took the tram to Kabatas and transferred to the underground funicular to Taksim Square. From there it was a pleasant walk downhill on Istiklal pedestrian mall down to sea level. Istiqlal is full of shops, restaurants, ice cream stalls set in old European-style buildings. I liked the restaurants that had precooked Turkish food in cabinets; it makes it easy to sample real local cuisine without struggling with the menus or resorting to just kebabs and shwarmas.

The police and riot squad were out in force in various locations. They are obviously being prepared for situations like a few weeks ago when there we big protests.

I then stumbled upon the whirling dervishes society. They were having a performance at 1700 so I had a plan to return for that but wasn’t sure enough to commit to it.

I walked back to the hotel via the Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar) and dropped my laundry off so I wouldn’t have to get them done in the UK.

After a brief rest I returned to Taksim via Kabatas with the intention of going to the whirling dervishes. I stumbled upon a unisex hairdresser (quite rare) but I don’t think many women would want to go there any way. I had a good haircut before grabbing lunch in one of those restaurants with the food in the cabinets.

I arrived at the dervish centre an hour prior only to find that it had been sold out. I was so disappointed and wish I had prepurchased the tickets. It did appear to be quite a touristy attraction, but in all my visits to the region, it is hard to get to see them otherwise.

So, that marked the end of my Istanbul experienced. I’m thinking about coming back next year and combining it with a part of the Balkans that I haven’t been to. I need to be in the UK for a wedding in July so the timing could be perfect.