It was Constantinople, y'know...
A couple of years ago I saw a Call for Papers to be presented at a conference in Istanbul. "Kickass!", I thought, and began to work on a terrible pun to serve as a title. (I'd worry about the content of the paper later. It's the title that really counts...)

The bulk of the conference was of no interest to me, so I devised a plan: I'd show my face at the conference centre occasionally for the odd paper that looked relevant - and, obviously, to give my own - and for the free lunch. Beyond that, I'd spend my time exploring the city that I'd heard was one of the jewels of Europe.

Hmmmm.

It really isn't all it's cracked up to be, is it? The Blue Mosque is - frankly - plain, having nothing on (say) the Mosque at Cordoba, the Masjid-i Sheikh Luft Allah in Esfahan or the Vakil Mosque in Shiraz - all of which are stunning. Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi palace are worth seeing but not worth going to see... The Cistern is more interesting, but a large underground puddle really isn't enough to earn the city's reputation. You can't walk over the bridge to Asia - which I discovered only after having been told that you can, and walked all the way there from Sultanahmet. The food was OK, but I fail to see how Turkish cuising can legitimately be hailed as one of the world's greats.

Whinge, moan. Had it not been a freebie, I'd have been gutted.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Fri 27 Jun 2008, 10:27, 2 replies)

It's all just so....
ordinary.

I went about 20 years ago and they'd got a MacDonalds.

I did like the Grand Bazaar though...but I should think that today it feels more like Camden Market.

It just wasn't exotic enough.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Fri 27 Jun 2008, 11:16, closed)

If Istanbul isn't all it's cracked up to be
you must have had some bloody amazing travel experiences! Perhaps you could share them with us.

When I went nearly 10 years ago, I had never left Europe, and found it exotic. The mosque lit at night surrounded by bats seemed very strange to me.

Turkish kebabs are amazing!

@chickenlady
"I did like the Grand Bazaar though...but I should think that today it feels more like Camden Market."

I too visited the Grand Bazaar. You must avoid eye-contact or you'll instantly be invited into someone's shop. Best to wear sunglasses and keep your head looking straight in front of you.
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Fri 27 Jun 2008, 23:58, closed)