Zurich 1: by Day (Switzerland)

I went 3x to Zurich for work from December to February. I took the opportunity to visit as much as possible from Swiss cities, and indeed I'm impressed, I like the country.

Zurich 2: by Night (Switzerland)

The city can be very beautiful by night. If you abstract from the winter cold, you can certainly enjoy even just a simple stroll through the streets and to the lake. I was lucky to be around in Xmas period, there's all the nice Weinacht markets and stuff: in some ways there are similarities to Germany..

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Zurich is reputed as a city with good venues for going out, and that I did confirm, when joining a friend and her colleagues to a disco.

Istanbul 4: Culture and Religion

Istanbul, Constantinople, Byzantium... it is a long story. The Russian envoys of ten centuries ago were convinced to take up the orthodox christianity because the rituals and temples were "so beautiful". The city had a short Latin (catholic) period, and later was conquered and converted to Islam. Famous architect Sinan built here the Suleymanie Camii, and Sultan Ahmed had the Blue Mosque built on the foundations of several old palaces in front of the symbolic Hippodrome. You can find nice photos of them in wikipedia and in earlier posts in this blog. Still today a small Jewish community lives here along with some Orthodox and the Muslim majority. However, judging from the excitement in the city after a soccer match, soccer still has the strongest appeal :-D

Turkey, like Indonesia, is one of the few countries where Islam is separated from State. Perhaps eyeing the relations to EU, they have gone as far as banishing the scarf for women in public office. It is maybe an exaggerate imposition, or not, as many women now may discard the scarf and have to make no excuses. I must say I admire Turkey for being able to modernise, instead of blindly keeping the medieval interpretation of the Koran. In the city tram for example, you can see a young chick in a short skirt as well as a full covered lady. However, at the Mosque the women still pray at a small confined division, maybe only 5% of the area used by men. Some things could change, or is it fine to Allah?

On the right a support for the Koran, at the very interesting Turkish museum at the Hippodrome.

I think not many places in the world have such a history of Religion, Culture and Peoples coming together. Besides the religion, in Istanbul Europe and Asia meet, the Mediterranean (by Marmara) sea connects to the Black sea, via the Bosphorus. People from all places were making a living here, perhaps in old times this was the New York of the Old World. And now, it is just another large city, struggling to get by day by day, with all the uncertainties from economics to earthquakes. But vibrant and full of life. And still in touch with older traditions, like the famous carpets below..

Istanbul 3: The Night

I regret much that I don't have a pic of the Taksim streets by night (Instanbul's social centre). So much life and people! Again, too many guys and few girls, but still, it is a vibrant night at Taksim! Here is a pic of the city from the Asian side:

A scene from a bar in Taksim: as the musicians played on, some of the people got up and started to dance, until more than half the customers were all dancing together! and check out the kebap on wheels!

Istanbul 2: The Everyday Scene

I felt the heart of the city beating at the Galata Bridge, everyday totally lined up with people fishing, and talking, doing business etc..

 

and check out the improvised fishing cane with a cork and wire! cool! 

 

It's beautiful by the river side, say with a cup of coffee...

 

There's many markets around the streets. Sometimes it seems that everyone makes a living selling something! I also noticed there's far more men than women on the street.

 

and something else, most people seem to wear rather plain, discreet clothes. Are these signs of Islamic influence? or maybe just my impression..


all in all, it's a busy and vibrant city (as you can see in this underground pass)

Istanbul: Some main views

Istanbul is modern and at the same time historical, you can find glamour and sophistication as well as down to earth simplicity and living. Let me start with the grandeur..

Here are two views on the ancient hippodrome square, and a river view. The first shows some pole offered by the Egypcians, and the unique Hagia Sofia behind it.

Night view of the Blue Mosque...

and the Old city topped by Suleymaniye mosque (Camii)

Like silver..

On the way to Istanbul

The Alps were beautiful as ever... and notice the contrast with the Istambul seaside, upon arriving at the airport :-) See also the ships in the distance, lining up to cross the Bosporus

I would come back to the Alps soon enough (see more recent posts)