There is so much to tell about Turkey, but I have to finish this, as my next stop is fast approaching. The food in Turkey is yummy…I was not in Italy to taste their ice cream and was told that it is good. Well, the ice cream in Turkey is the best ever! It is absolutely fantastic! When I was in my first year in Port Elizabeth I was introduced to Turkish Delights! My mother sent me a parcel, through the post office and one of the items in the box was a beautiful tin with these pink sweets in some sort of powder. I fell in love with it and it always brings fond memories of my college days and my mother.Needless to say, I indulge in all the different types of Turkish delights.(see the picture)
After the conference I decided to find the famous Spice Bazaar. However, as I was also interested to see the Chora museum, I decided to go there first and then return to the Spice Bazaar. Walking towards the busses, at the harbor side which is called Kabatas landing, I bought ‘Geroosterde Mielies” or Corn on the street market. It was so nice and I remembered the first time I ate it. It was in 1997 when I visited Grenada in the Caribbean. It is a delicacy which you have to taste when in Turkey or in any of these countries where it is a practice to sell it on the street.
From there I walked in an effort to find the bus to take me to the Chora museum before returning to the spice bazaar. I was lured into taking a taxi which I refused because I wanted to see the city. I think because I did not want to take the taxi, the guy whom I asked misdirected me or pretended he did not understand me. So, I walked up and down and later decided to eat my stress away.”Kebabs” whether chicken or lamb, forms part of the Turkish Cuisine. So, I bought chicken kebabs mixed with ‘slap chips and tomatoes “inside square bread! It was okay, as those of you who know me closely, know that I am not into burger and pizza type of foods.
I finally found the bus and left for the Chora museum (I made an earlier post about it) on my return from the Chora museum I stopped at the Spice bazaar and found that there are not many herbalists, as they are called, left and that there are also many jewelers in the spice bazaar. The Spice Bazaar was built in 1663-1664 and was first called the New Bazaar or in Turkish Valide Bazaar. It was renamed as the spices came from Egypt. The bazaar burnt twice and it was renewed in 1994.
This is where I bought the “evil eye” anklet requested by one of my daughters. From there I sat outside on the stairs of the new Mosque to finish off my kebab bread!
My highlight in Turkey was to be on a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait. I cannot explain to you how it felt when we sailed under the bridge which connects Europe with Asia. It is something! I will forever treasure my visit to Turkey and wish that one day it will be possible for our children and my beloved husband to visit the historic places in Turkey.
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