Turkey: Istanbul

Istanbul is so huge!!

As a Finn I was lost in the amount of people (around 12 million), the lively streets, the colourful bazaars, the very old historical buildings, the gorgeous architecture, the beauty along the riverside and the geographic distance within this great city.

Istanbul is a heterogenous city built on two continenets; Europe and Asia. Most people live on the Asian side. The European side holds more commersial and cultural activity. This side is divided into two main districs; the Old city and the modern downtown.

The best way for me was to move around with the ferry along the Bosphorous river! It´s just fresh and you see the most beautiful parts of Istanbul passing by. They don´t go that often, though. Trams and buses are also ok and go all the time, although being quite crowded and sweaty. Taxi is a very nice alternative when you feet aces, not being too expensive.

The people are very friendly and helpful and on the whole I felt safe and sound being there no matter where I moved around. I didn´t see the poorest places, though.

The history is amazing having traces from 3000 BC! It was not until the 15th century that Istanbul slowly changed from being a Christian empire (the Roman Constantinople) to slowly becoming Islamic. You can witness all this in the very old and breath taking Mosques and museums!