Istambul
The Grand Bazaar - Folkloric night
No image can convey the real feeling of walking along Kapaliçarsi, considered to be the oldest and largest shopping centre of the world, constructed in 1464 by order of Mehmed II, the "Conqueror", with 64 streets and roads, 22 gates and around 3,600 shops sheltered by roofs and domes. We had to write down the name of the gate where we would have to meet our guide, after the allowed time to spend our Turkish lire, in case we got lost in this "world" of a countless variety of appealing artifacts in different colours and textures ... in which it is understandably easy to "get lost" (in every sense of the word).
From gold to precious and semi-precious stones, leather, ceramic, silver and copperware, traditional folk costumes, religious icons, etc, everything was there at reasonable prices, and although tempted by a few things I just bought a kaftan and a replica of shadow theatre puppet.
One of the "rules" is bargaining ... and so I did bargain ... or rather, "negotiated" the Kaftan till I was out of breath, knowing full well the seller was "secretly" enjoying the whole "act" ... a good 20 minute discussion which led to the ultimate price. Both of us were happy with it. I bought a beautiful silk embroidered kaftan for a very good price and he (must have) sold it for a reasonably adjusted price.
Some of us went back to the hotel while others went on a boat trip along the Bosphorus. Having been in the first group, Christian and I just walked around the Hotel quarter trying to get a glimpse of the daily evening rush, prior to getting ready for dinner and the folkloric night at the Kervanseray.
Though there were moments we really enjoyed during the night show (part of which I filmed), we were really glad to have had the privilege of having watched the folkloric night in Cappadocia, because these were in no way similar and the general feeling was that this one was slightly less "genuine", in as much as it was more "westernized" and tourist oriented.
Somewhere along the night show I was literally dragged to the stage to join the dancers, together with some other foreigners sellected from the public and ended up learning some steps and partaking in the traditional dance. That was quite an experience ... and I must admit that by the time we went back to the hotel, I was still overexcited and not sleepy at all ...
We have a long way ahead of us tomorrow ... and not having been able to visit Hagia Sophia (closed on Mondays) we shall be visiting it tomorrow morning before heading to Selçuk ...
One of the "rules" is bargaining ... and so I did bargain ... or rather, "negotiated" the Kaftan till I was out of breath, knowing full well the seller was "secretly" enjoying the whole "act" ... a good 20 minute discussion which led to the ultimate price. Both of us were happy with it. I bought a beautiful silk embroidered kaftan for a very good price and he (must have) sold it for a reasonably adjusted price.
Some of us went back to the hotel while others went on a boat trip along the Bosphorus. Having been in the first group, Christian and I just walked around the Hotel quarter trying to get a glimpse of the daily evening rush, prior to getting ready for dinner and the folkloric night at the Kervanseray.
Though there were moments we really enjoyed during the night show (part of which I filmed), we were really glad to have had the privilege of having watched the folkloric night in Cappadocia, because these were in no way similar and the general feeling was that this one was slightly less "genuine", in as much as it was more "westernized" and tourist oriented.
Somewhere along the night show I was literally dragged to the stage to join the dancers, together with some other foreigners sellected from the public and ended up learning some steps and partaking in the traditional dance. That was quite an experience ... and I must admit that by the time we went back to the hotel, I was still overexcited and not sleepy at all ...
We have a long way ahead of us tomorrow ... and not having been able to visit Hagia Sophia (closed on Mondays) we shall be visiting it tomorrow morning before heading to Selçuk ...
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