Category Archives: Turkey

Fantastic Turkish food in Istanbul

Surely many readers of this blog have been to Turkey. I have been there several times myself. And yet every new visit is a discovery of something new. It is one of the clear lessons of this trip that the longer you spend in a particular place, the deeper – qualitatively different – becomes your understanding of that locale. A single additional day can add an entirely unexpected flavour and depth of immersion. And every so often when the moment comes to leave I have the feeling that only now came the time when I am truly really discovering a place. So it was in Istanbul. I haven’t mentioned all the little discoveries I made there in the previous post: say, the gorgeous SALT galleries where you can spend hours enjoying the vibe, the free super quick wifi, the endless amount of books in open access in the library. Other discoveries are related to people you meet on the road – and I have my ways to get in touch with the locals. Finally a good way to sample the country’s specificity is by getting acquainted with the richness of its cuisine.

Let’s start with the classics! The wonderful köfte – small meatballs – are the pride of the Turkish kitchen, a simple yet amazingly tasty dish. They are invariably accompanied by grilled tomatoes and peppers.

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Istanbul walking

A very convenient flight connects Istanbul to Kathmandu. Playing with various options of how to proceed from Nepal, finally I decided that this was the best choice. I had been to Istanbul before. At that time stayed in Sultanakhmet area and had a chance to explore the main drawing boards – such as Aya Sofia, the Sultan Palace as well as the Catacombs. This time I decided to base myself in Beyoglu area, next to the famous (or infamous) Taksim square. This area is indeed the heart of modern Istanbul, this is where its heart beats and energy flows. The main thoroughfare of this area – and indeed of all Istanbul – is the Independence Avenue, İstiklâl Caddesi. The Avenue connect the Taksim Square with the area of Galata Tower. Walking in the same direction from there on after crossing the Galata bridge you reach the historical Istanbul – what is commonly known as Sultanakhmet.

Istiklal at night is a magical place full of crowds enjoying themselves.

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