Istanbul is a great city! The first time we were there was on an overnight cruise ship stop. I remember saying, what will we do there for 2 days? It turned out to be the highlight of our trip! So much to see!
I thought the point of travel was to experience different customs and traditions. As for 9/11, it was over 20 years ago and we’re still demonizing those of the Islamic faith.
The French taught me to eat more slowly and to savor every bite. Everything I ate in France was fresh, and even in expensive restaurants in the USA use too much frozen food. By eating mindfully, as they do, you don't overeat. As a result of eating French food, so well seasoned, I have changed my eating habits for more than 20 years.
Look, I have traveled to this place several times, even using their rail system. I know how to get to the main areas in Paris.
With regard to their eating habits, I must say it’s different from our way of eating in the US, but technically it is the same. There is nothing wrong with eating frozen food, most vegetables are that are prepared in restaurants are frozen, because it a very perishable item. If you go to an established high end restaurant, you will get great food, and prepared in a clean kitchen. I n France, not so much , you will be surprised to see where the food is being prepared.
I never said it was wrong to eat frozen food. What you did not read was that eating fresh for me made eating more pleasurable, causing me to eat more slowly, laying the fork down between bites, and truly enjoying each bite. Each to his own. American eating habits are different. They wolf down their food, eat nonstop, oversalt everything, eat a lot of fat and bad carbs, and get very little exercise, whereas 75% of Americans are obese or overweight. Not the French. So yes, the eating habits are different. Sadly, people have become desensitized to obesity, and are in denial about the health impact of those habits. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.
My cousin who was visiting Turkey seems to have posted on FB that same kitty. He also commented in his post about the street cats and dogs that the locals take care of. A place of honor.
My visit to Istanbul 10 years ago changed my idea of a good breakfast forever. I don’t eat this way at home, but I LOVED the Turkish breakfast buffet of meats and cheeses and yogurt and fruits and breads and preserves, etc. etc. And I’ve still never had anything as good as the (homemade) bahklava - with pistachios of course.
I will not have a meal in Istanbul, this place does not even have proper bathroom facilities for the public. These people uses their hands a lot, do you know where their hands were.
Looks like yo have not gone to the better restaurants there. I don't think you know "these people" too well due to your offensive remarks. Turkish people are very clean and don't use their hands to eat any more than Americans do . I know because I am from Türkiye.
Have you ever seen the refrigeration system at a McDonald’s, it is designed to let nothing from the outside get in, it a wall of stainless steel refrigeration. I would prefer to get food poisoning in the US than some third world country.
I know that my symptoms can be evaluated immediately.
I was in Turkey last year on another cruise, my husband and I happened to witness a n ambulance to help someone one, when they opened the door, there was no life saving equipment in the ambulance , just two men and a stretcher.
So , the restaurant in the US could have all the outbreaks , but I know someone’s life can be saved.
Istanbul is a city located on the Bosporus river, overlooking Asia. There are signs and images of the Ottoman Empire that ruled the city. The Blue Mosque and it claimed to have the remains of Muhammad, which I actually saw in the mosque.
Great for shopping, especially fine jewelry, carpets, and gem stone jewelry. But one should be very careful, because some of the jewelry that they sell is semiprecious.
The spice market is located in a different area the Grand Bazzar, which has two entrances, and you can become lost.
Nice to visit, but the place has an aura of uncertainty, some of the vendors are very sketchy and can be very impolite, if you do purchase something from them, they begin to get upset, and you should be headed out the exit of their establishment.
Do not drink the tea that they offer you, there is something in that tea that keeps you there, and you get very sleepy and disoriented. I am speaking from experience, because my husband drank the tea, they probably assumed that he had the buying power, and I couldn’t get him to leave, he became very disoriented, I had to physically get him out , because he couldn’t move, it was as though he was paralyzed.
I think it’s a country where you would vacation at your own risk.
I have visited this country several times on cruises.
You say to visit at your own risk yet you’ve visited it several times on cruises. I visited Istanbul twice - once with a small tour group and once as a single woman and experienced no problems.
I enjoyed my guided tour in Istanbul. I arrived early to get over jet lag. I walked around and was pressured by vendors. Vendors send out people to befriend you on the street, then pressure you to visit their friends store to "receive a huge discount". Being from a large city and accustomed to big city hustle, but someone from a small town might find this annoying and scary, especially seniors. If you take a out travel map or use your phone to get walking directions, look out for unwanted help.
Regarding cats: when I was stationed in Turkey in early 1960’s I was told by several different Turks to be respectful of the cats because Ataturk, their national hero, might come back in the form of a cat.
Regarding the odor: The first thing I noticed when I descended the plane, was the smell which was attributed to the tobacco as found in Yeni Harmon and Bafra cigarettes.
FOOD! Sorry, I forgot to address this. My husband and I have traveled to over 20 countries. I have enjoyed eating the cuisine at each location. The only country that I could eat local food daily long term would be Greece (so far).
I enjoyed this insight into Istanbul. My nephew is living there for a few years so I need to visit before he moves again. This summer, I visited Norway on a cruise and Morocco for a wedding. Great experiences!
Istanbul is a great city! The first time we were there was on an overnight cruise ship stop. I remember saying, what will we do there for 2 days? It turned out to be the highlight of our trip! So much to see!
Yes, it is nice to visit, and shop, but they believe in a different doctrine and tradition. It was not the place to be after 911.
I thought the point of travel was to experience different customs and traditions. As for 9/11, it was over 20 years ago and we’re still demonizing those of the Islamic faith.
Yes, but the stench, still remains, that’s why we will never forget.
The French taught me to eat more slowly and to savor every bite. Everything I ate in France was fresh, and even in expensive restaurants in the USA use too much frozen food. By eating mindfully, as they do, you don't overeat. As a result of eating French food, so well seasoned, I have changed my eating habits for more than 20 years.
Look, I have traveled to this place several times, even using their rail system. I know how to get to the main areas in Paris.
With regard to their eating habits, I must say it’s different from our way of eating in the US, but technically it is the same. There is nothing wrong with eating frozen food, most vegetables are that are prepared in restaurants are frozen, because it a very perishable item. If you go to an established high end restaurant, you will get great food, and prepared in a clean kitchen. I n France, not so much , you will be surprised to see where the food is being prepared.
I never said it was wrong to eat frozen food. What you did not read was that eating fresh for me made eating more pleasurable, causing me to eat more slowly, laying the fork down between bites, and truly enjoying each bite. Each to his own. American eating habits are different. They wolf down their food, eat nonstop, oversalt everything, eat a lot of fat and bad carbs, and get very little exercise, whereas 75% of Americans are obese or overweight. Not the French. So yes, the eating habits are different. Sadly, people have become desensitized to obesity, and are in denial about the health impact of those habits. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.
My cousin who was visiting Turkey seems to have posted on FB that same kitty. He also commented in his post about the street cats and dogs that the locals take care of. A place of honor.
Steve king
New Orleans gave me to pause how I eat. Crawfish,oysters and gumbo just to name a few.
My visit to Istanbul 10 years ago changed my idea of a good breakfast forever. I don’t eat this way at home, but I LOVED the Turkish breakfast buffet of meats and cheeses and yogurt and fruits and breads and preserves, etc. etc. And I’ve still never had anything as good as the (homemade) bahklava - with pistachios of course.
I will not have a meal in Istanbul, this place does not even have proper bathroom facilities for the public. These people uses their hands a lot, do you know where their hands were.
Looks like yo have not gone to the better restaurants there. I don't think you know "these people" too well due to your offensive remarks. Turkish people are very clean and don't use their hands to eat any more than Americans do . I know because I am from Türkiye.
And in the US that bastion of fast food McDonalds recently had an outbreak of E.coli. You don't have to go abroad to get sick from restaurant food.
Have you ever seen the refrigeration system at a McDonald’s, it is designed to let nothing from the outside get in, it a wall of stainless steel refrigeration. I would prefer to get food poisoning in the US than some third world country.
I know that my symptoms can be evaluated immediately.
I was in Turkey last year on another cruise, my husband and I happened to witness a n ambulance to help someone one, when they opened the door, there was no life saving equipment in the ambulance , just two men and a stretcher.
So , the restaurant in the US could have all the outbreaks , but I know someone’s life can be saved.
Istanbul is a city located on the Bosporus river, overlooking Asia. There are signs and images of the Ottoman Empire that ruled the city. The Blue Mosque and it claimed to have the remains of Muhammad, which I actually saw in the mosque.
Great for shopping, especially fine jewelry, carpets, and gem stone jewelry. But one should be very careful, because some of the jewelry that they sell is semiprecious.
The spice market is located in a different area the Grand Bazzar, which has two entrances, and you can become lost.
Nice to visit, but the place has an aura of uncertainty, some of the vendors are very sketchy and can be very impolite, if you do purchase something from them, they begin to get upset, and you should be headed out the exit of their establishment.
Do not drink the tea that they offer you, there is something in that tea that keeps you there, and you get very sleepy and disoriented. I am speaking from experience, because my husband drank the tea, they probably assumed that he had the buying power, and I couldn’t get him to leave, he became very disoriented, I had to physically get him out , because he couldn’t move, it was as though he was paralyzed.
I think it’s a country where you would vacation at your own risk.
I have visited this country several times on cruises.
You say to visit at your own risk yet you’ve visited it several times on cruises. I visited Istanbul twice - once with a small tour group and once as a single woman and experienced no problems.
Good for you, keep in mind the next time you go solo, don’t expect the government to send the Calvary to get you.
I enjoyed my guided tour in Istanbul. I arrived early to get over jet lag. I walked around and was pressured by vendors. Vendors send out people to befriend you on the street, then pressure you to visit their friends store to "receive a huge discount". Being from a large city and accustomed to big city hustle, but someone from a small town might find this annoying and scary, especially seniors. If you take a out travel map or use your phone to get walking directions, look out for unwanted help.
A simit from a street cart vendor was 33 cents about 3 years ago, how much are they now?
I saw the cats, but dogs were all over the place and all were very friendly. A tag in their ears meant they were "fixed".
Say what you will, cleanliness is in the eyes of the beholder, for I have seen.
I am so sorry to hear that you were not brought up in that manner, unlike me, I was.
Regarding cats: when I was stationed in Turkey in early 1960’s I was told by several different Turks to be respectful of the cats because Ataturk, their national hero, might come back in the form of a cat.
Regarding the odor: The first thing I noticed when I descended the plane, was the smell which was attributed to the tobacco as found in Yeni Harmon and Bafra cigarettes.
FOOD! Sorry, I forgot to address this. My husband and I have traveled to over 20 countries. I have enjoyed eating the cuisine at each location. The only country that I could eat local food daily long term would be Greece (so far).
I enjoyed this insight into Istanbul. My nephew is living there for a few years so I need to visit before he moves again. This summer, I visited Norway on a cruise and Morocco for a wedding. Great experiences!
Nearby in Egypt, I found the food new and refreshing. Especially Koshari and Ful.
Didn’t an American Journalist went missing in this country.
Off topic, but can't not tell you how much I like your cat picture. Great looking cat! I take pictures of cats when I travel too.