Istanbul Metblogs » la_jonathan

On My Way Out

la_jonathan — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 14:24:15 +0000

Well, in about an hour I will be entering Ataturk airport in order to get on a plane to Hirvatistan(Croatia), and then home to Los Angeles. I just had my final hamam at Cemberlitas and my final Turkish breakfast at Guney restaurant, in view of the Galata Tower.

I had fun here, and will be back someday soon.

When I get back to California on the 10th, I will be adding pictures and text to my blog about my time and Istanbul, as well as the Turkish road trip that brought me to this fine city.

So long, and thanks for all the balik! And thank you to all of you that read my posts and emailed me!

Automobiles Have The Right Of Way

la_jonathan — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 13:49:46 +0000

One thing that I had to get used to Istanbul is that fact that cars are king and that if you are a pedestrian, you better get the hell out of the way or get honked at, or maybe hit (does this happen often, or do people mostly try to scare you?). This is totally alien to my California mindset that dictates and enforces the policy that pedestrians have the right of way.

That said, I can imagine that it would be very hard to drive in Istanbul. Being from LA, I consider myself to be a good driver, and I would not even venture onto the street here. I did it in Konya maybe a week before getting here and that was hectic, to say the least. I am guessing that it pales in comparison to a place like Istanbul.

Istiklal Pepper Gas

la_jonathan — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:53:39 +0000

On the way back from tonights dinner at the Istiklal Caddesi Burger King we were passed by a Polis tank! Then I saw the line of riot cops dressed to kill - or at least gas - the few hundred protestors that had gathered in the street ahead. Apparently the protest relates to Palestine, but since my Turkish is lacking, that is all I could figure out.

Anyways, I just heard a few minutes ago that the gas just started flying, so if you live near Istiklal close your windows and bring in your cats.

Update: Are today’s protests related to this?

Many Districts of Istanbul

la_jonathan — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 14:40:06 +0000

One thing I have enjoyed while walking around Istanbul is encountering the many different “districts” of Istanbul. By district I mean various streets that seem to specialize in certain products: scuba gear, photography, toilet seats, tshirts, barbeque grills, animals, etc.

If you know where to look for what you want, there seems to be a street that will have multiple stores ready to do business.

The Evolution Deceit

la_jonathan — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 14:21:41 +0000

The other day I was walking in Sultanahmet on the way Cagloglu Hamam when I saw a stand with books, with a sign that said “Free For Tourists”. In English! Well, since I was in tourist mode at the time I decide to pick up a book.

It was called “The Evolution Deceit”, written by Harun Yahya. All about the supposed fallacy of evolution(I won’t go into my own views on that). Your basic free book, nothing that special.

But I heard from my friend the author - Harun Yahya - is a pen name for a fellow named Adnan Oktar, who in the past was a leader of a sex cult. I have not been able to confirm this at all, but I have seen that this fellow has written a lot of books.

Anyone know anything about this guy or can confirm what I have heard?

Airplanes Over The Bosphorus

la_jonathan — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 21:01:47 +0000

This morning and into the afternoon I had been hearing and seeing stunt planes flying over the Bosphorus: looping and flying real close to the water. It was cool, but I was wondering what the deal is. I saw it yesterday too.

When You Yell At Me I Do Not Wish to Patronize Your Establishment

la_jonathan — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 14:17:30 +0000

At the risk of sounding culturally insensitive or going too far out on a limb here, I have to say that the most detrimental thing an Istanbul business owner can do is try to pressure a ‘tourist’ to come into their store. Personally I never go to a place unless I go to them first and somehow request ‘help’ or attention. I am immune to the hard sell. Even after a hotel tout chased me through Pamukkale on a motorscooter I did not give in. Why would I want to stay somewhere after the dude stalked me?

Plus I have spent a lot of time in Tijuana, where I was able to innoculate myself pretty hardily.

But seriously. The other day I was sitting on the street watching the reaction of out of towners to the guys who come up to you and say “Hello, come in” and almost always the response was to straight up ignore them if not cross to the other side of the street. I don’t think I saw anyone respond in the manner that the proprietor would have wanted.

I understand that running a business is hard. But the hard sell will make it harder to get the loose walleted foreigners into the store. Most people want a soft sell. People want to feel like they are making their own purchasing decisions and not being coerced.

Fish Under the Bridge

la_jonathan — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 23:30:53 +0000

Ever since setting my sights on Istanbul, I have had one thing in mind: to have a fish in between bread with tomato and beer. Today I had that under the Korpru(sp?) bridge.

For five lira(would have been more if not for the aid of my Turkish friend), and that made me very happy. I am a big fan of street food(witness my obsessions with bacon wrapped hot dogs). I know that it probably seems dumb and basic to most of you out there reading this, but really it made my day.

Day One In Istanbul

la_jonathan — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 23:25:33 +0000

So I got here last night, and after a taxi ride from the otogar I found myself in a rather beat up hotel in Sultanahmet. It worked for the night, but I am glad that I am not there now, nor will I be as I am fortunate enough to have some friends in Beyoglu who are willing to put me up.

I know that Sultanahmet is the tourist area. I get that. It’s pretty much the Hollywood Boulevard of Istanbul, so I am not too into that. Experiences like that make me feel like a wallet with legs. I had to think hard in order to not make my time in the Big S color my perceptions of Istanbul too much.

Los Angeles Metroblogger Heading To Istanbul Tomorrow

la_jonathan — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 23:57:51 +0000

Except for two people, nobody in Istanbul knows who I am. Not that I would expect them to since I live almost on the other side of the planet in sunny Los Angeles, where I am a contributor to Metroblogging LA.

Tomorrow I will be getting on a bus here in Goreme, and riding along for 13 hours before I reach your fair city and take my first look around at all the wonders that you have in store. Let’s just say that I am excited. Also, I will be guestblogging for the week that I am in Istanbul, so I thought I would introduce myself now. Hello All!

I am not sure where I will be staying exactly(Sultanahmet and Beyoglu seem to be early contenders), but I would like to see if anyone on this blog is interested in meeting up or has any tips for a newcomer like myself.

My email address is hex - at - hexod.us