Istanbul
LAYOVER
23 hours
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GMT +3
time zone
SPECIAL
Turkish coffee
Zuzka Greizinger
STEWARDESS
I’m a stewardess, but I used to be an editor for a magazine, so I always have had my head in the clouds. In addition, I’ve always been attracted by the heights and distances and so I came up with a great idea – I could explore the world as a flight attendant! 🙂
FOLLOW ME
I still have a sunburned back from Thailand when I’m flying somewhere where it snows all day for change. This is the life of the flight attendant, from heats to winter, from west to east, up and down, over several time zones. My closest destination – Oriental Istanbul. Although these days it more reminds chilly Europe. To keep my ears warm, I cover my head nicely in Turkish way with scarf – called hijab. Again, I meet on board the same tuned colleagues, so I do not have to go to the streets alone. Even though single wanderers have their charm, in group it’s more fun. We start at main Taksim Square, which is full of smell of baked chestnuts. First we can not decide what type of restaurant we choose for dinner, but eventually traditional Turkish cuisine win. The Katip Mustafa Celebi restaurant has fascinated us all with its display of Baklava, Turkish honey and other sweet specialties. We have different skewers, kebab and Turkish version of pizza on the table. This is followed by Turkish tea, which we drink from such delicious small cups. And to conclude what brought us here: baklawa and chocolate pudding. After a busy dinner, the next planned stop is a large Turkish bazaar where it is worth visit just for that atmosphere. Spices, cups, Turkish sweets or carpets … I can not resist, so I buy a cup of Turkish coffee with a picture of a dancing dervish and a colorful Turkish lamp for myself, which brings a wonderful atmosphere to every room. If anyone says Istanbul, the lamp from a Turkish bazaar is just what I think of first. Even thought five of us entered the Grand Bazaar, but only three of us are leaving. Two girls get lost somewhere between the carpets. Never mind, we will meet them in the hotel. One of my colleagues wants to find a shop with erotic toys. I look at him in surprise. Here in the Muslim country? But finally, I find out that Turkey is the only Muslim country where prostitution is legal. They say it is so for historical reasons, taken as a tradition of former Turkish harems. Hm, interesting… The colleague finally gives up to find some sex shop and suggests to stop in some café. We wander through various narrow streets with stone pavements and we are looking for the traditional Turkish coffeeshop, and finally, we do not know how, but all of sudden we face the world-famous Blue Mosque! Totally unplanned but very pleasant stop. And nearby we find also nice café. We sit outside under a blanket on a heated terrace, drink Turkish coffee, watch people in the streets, and laugh at a cat which found her place on our colleagues knees. Even though my nose is running like crazy and my hands are red from the frost, I have to say it was a very nice evening… At the same time, however, I hope that the next flight will bring me to some warmer destination again…
Zuzka Greizinger
STEWARDESS
I’m a stewardess, but I used to be an editor for a magazine, so I always have had my head in the clouds. In addition, I’ve always been attracted by the heights and distances and so I came up with a great idea – I could explore the world as a flight attendant! 🙂
FOLLOW ME
