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I’ve finished my rehab/rest trip in the USA and arrived back in Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday. Being out of the city for three long months, there are a few things I’ve missed and haven’t missed:
Things I’ve missed:
- Mantı, tantuni, ayran, lahmacun, pide, midye dolma and several other delicious Turkish foods
- The Bosporus and riding the ferry
- Nargile at Tophane
- Amazing weather
- My friends and students
- Islak mendil (wet naps) after every meal
- Çay (tea) anywhere and everywhere, day and night
- Turkish hospitality
- Buying groceries that actually spoil
- The dolmuş (shared taxi)
Things I haven’t missed:
- The constant state of chaos
- Elbowing other passengers to get on and off the Metrobüs
- The pungent odor of unshowered old men, especially when they hang on to the handrails on public transportation
- Concrete as far as the eye can see
- Occasional riots breaking out as of late
- Istanbul traffic and taking at least an hour to get anywhere
- The general population’s lack of spatial awareness
- Waking up with the 5:30am Ezan (Call to Prayer), especially on days I really want to sleep in
- Risking my life playing frogger every time I have to cross the street
- Pushing and shoving to get on public transportation
