Hi, Ash here. Still having trouble getting up to date, despite the magnificent tour of Egypt and the Middle East finishing. Am now in Istanbul and was hoping to catch up but this is an amazingly historical and cosmopolitan, modern city. Only 4 days, yet you could spend 4 months, there is so much to do and experience. But most of all it has an amazing "feel", hard to describe but just feels really comfortable and exciting at the same time.
Out trip through part of the Arabic world has been instructive, so much to learn from these people - an openness, gentleness, respect and poetic use of language has been ever present, even on the rare occasions in the markets where people, who struggle to make a living, may hassle you to buy. Even then there has only been a gentle insistence (with some possible exceptions in the main tourist bazaar in Cairo). Of course, on the surface, so much of this world appears to be, and is masculine, but Janet has managed to make contact with many women, delving deeper and getting a glimpse of daily life. Everyone who has the opportunity should make their way through these parts to really have their eyes opened and to learn about living together. Sorry about the philosophical rave but I have been really struck by it, it is so obvious wherever you go.
Will speak more about Istanbul later, but we have already had a busy and amazing time here, 4 days is too little but we will have to make do. We have done some of the amazing sights but went to Taksim in the new town yesterday afternoon and evening. Wow!!!!! what an amazingly vibrant, pulsating, cosmopolitan part of the city. The sea of people cruising along the main drag was amazing to watch and be a part of. Side streets crammed with the coolest bars, nightspots, restaurants, etc. An amazing array of shops along the main street. All topped off with an amazing sunset drinking chai (tea - the Turks drink so much tea) as the sun set gently lighting the stretch of water they call the Golden Horn. We sat and chatted with an interesting young woman from the New Zealand Film Commission who was on her way to the Cannes Film Festival. She also recounted amazing experiences, hitching her way around Syria. After that, a great walk back to Sultanahamet, the old city , where our hotel is literally a stone's throw from the Blue Mosque. I feel blessed!!!!!!!
I'm going to try and post some pics of Palmyra in Syria (we were there over 10 days ago which shows you how far I am behind). Palmyra was built in 2 AD and is a truly amazing site, set deep in the Syrian desert.
It was on the ancient Assyrian Caravan route and flourished for about 1,000 years before the Greeks invaded and in turn the Romans who built a magnificent city, and hub of the ancient trading routes. Evidence of all the civilisations that have lived there is clear to see nestled side by side. I will try to blog later about this but will let just a few of the pics tell the story for the moment. Hope all is well with everyone, lots of love Ash
