Going Nuts

Inside the Grand Bazaar

Istanbul, Turkey: Day 6

The Grand Bazaar dating back to 1453 is an experience that one must undertake to fulfil said duties of Traveller.  So, accompanied by a harried Cap’n, GS led the charge on a shopping foray.  And this time NOT for boat bits… Being something of a bazaar connoisseur, GS found the GB a little overwhelming and touristy.  That’s not to say that it was lacklustre by any means – it positively pulsates, especially when carpet sellers sense a potential customer to bargain with.  We did manage however to find some unusual stalls including one selling oya (needle lace) and a cobbler who made slippers (no Chinese imports here). Just don’t ask where exactly you are. We managed to lose ourselves several times, before finding a signpost to the next destination.

Temptation everywhere...

Not that the signpost was much help.  Eventually we found our way to the Spice Bazaar (thanks to smartphone technology).  The Spice Bazaar (1660), though much smaller, was filled to the brim with locals shopping for Sacrifice celebrations (more of a week than a day). While GS rummaged to find that perfect pomegranate flavoured Turkish Delight, the Cap’n sampled cashews – from almost every store – before settling on the “freshest”.  Storekeepers don’t seem to encourage taste testing.  Given the crowds streaming through the bazaar looking and not shopping, it could be a one way trip to bankruptcy.  A popular coffee shop, oozing wafts of roasted beans, was clearly not in any danger. 

One of those, one of those and oh, one of those..my friend will pay!

Uplifted by coffee, it was back for a final fling to the Cavalry Bazaar.  We had a last minute gift or two (including a rather nice kilim bag) to find before heading off for a romantic dinner for two at the Sarnic Restaurant.  Stepped deep into the bowels of a Byzantine cistern, a dimly lit Sarnic seemed like a stage set from an old B&W Gothic movie.  Whilst Frankenstein was better replaced by attentive serving staff, the atmosphere was incredibly engaging. 

Inside Sarnic celebrating.  

It was at this point, the camera breathed it's last!  So there's only some fuzzy photos, if any from our exploits from now on.  What amazing timing.  Of course we had no backups.

We had time during dinner to reflect on how fortunate we were to be in Istanbul, city of intrigue and infamy; a major trade centre between Asia and Europe with a history as rich and full as any we had visited so far on our Mediterranean adventure.  We too packed silks, gems, ceramics, gold and spices ready to carry them half a world away – only on a big jet rather than a cranky camel.   

(Our wonderful Ambassador Hotel staff recommended taking the inexpensive tram and light rail to the airport.  Easy, even with bulging bags!!)