sensory overload...in a good way

 
blue mosque

this past weekend my senses were highly stimulated, all in a good way. i was lucky enough to take an amazing, last minute trip to istanbul, turkey! i really had noooooo idea of what to expect. i had learned that istanbul was the only city on two continents, i was told that you should keep your purse close as the crowds were large, and people mentioned that the men could be quite "rude". no one told me that this weekend trip would make me feel like i had really stepped into a foreign country.

many times when i am traveling, i feel that i could be in america. spain reminded me of california, the open fields of holland remind me of the midwest, but I could find absolutely no comparison for istanbul. the sights, the sounds, and the culture let you know immediately that you were somewhere different, somewhere foreign.


amazing tiles

i toured mosques full of amazing blue tiles, ancient rituals and unique symbols. i walked the streets of the city with the women dressed in burkas, as the chants of the "call to prayer" haunted my ears. in the spice market and the grand bazaar my eyes took in the strongest of colors, and i smelled the most amazing smells. i was in crowds so large that i was terrified of loosing my friends.


spice market

i came home from the weekend completely exhausted, i had taken almost five hundred photos, and it didn't seem like i had even begun to capture the mystique of this city. istanbul was a once in a lifetime trip! i learned about a new culture, ate amazing food, strengthened friendships and created new ones!

thank you istanbul for showing me such a wonderful time!


crazy crowds


istanbul at night 

15 comments:

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    1. lilian-go if you get the opportunity, it was amazing!

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  2. Sounds like an amazing trip, putting it on my list!

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  3. "you couldn't express it better Dena, not only with your beautiful photos but with your words! Love it!!!"

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  4. I hope to go to Istanbul one day too!

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  5. so jealous! i wanted to go to Istanbul for Osterferien but my bro didn't want to be in a big city. We wound up in Tunisia and had the same reaction as you did - finally felt like we were in a different culture. Makes me want to travel farther afield from now on :~)

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    1. experiencing the culture was the best part of this trip!

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  6. Fantastic Blog Dena! You are a very talented Writer as well as Photographer! Next time you travel to Turkey check out Ephesus. It is on the West Coast. Fascinating historical place. The only thing that bothered me was the city had a lot of armed soldiers and the usual very pushy "Rug Salesman".

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    1. thanks for your comments! someone else said ephesus was nice! those pushy rug salesmen almost had me walking out with a turkish rug. they were good!

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  7. Sounds fantastic, Dena! Never been to Istanbul, but what you describe sounds much like the parts of Turkey we´ve been to. I love Turkey! Tania x

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  8. turkey is high on my list as well tania!

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  9. Istanbul is AMAZING! One of my favourite, if not my favourite, in the whole world. I loved taking the ferry across the Bosphorus: I'm in Europe...twenty minutes later...now I'm in Asia! Can't wait to go back there - and you're right about the crowds, especially in the Grand Bazaar!

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  10. not sure whats going to be able to top it??

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  11. Istanbul is truly amazing. No other place like it. When we went, Kelsey was a toddler and everyone, I mean everyone, HAD to touch her blond hair. I thought my husband was going to end up in jail. And I agree with Anonymous. Ephesus was one of the most magical places I've ever seen. If I didn't have duties at home, I would become a student and live there. You Miss Dena, are blessed to see such great sites of the world! xo!

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