BAKLAVA HEAVEN and DECISION FATIGUE

I came off 10 days of a guided bus tour of Spain where everything was planned out -including what time to eat breakfast and bathroom breaks. Then I went to Bulgaria and stayed with friends who spoke English and had a more relaxed schedule, but I essentially sat back and let them guide me around Bulgaria.

I arrived in Istanbul, Turkey and realize I am back on my own. I have to figure it all out and make all the decisions. Where to stay, how to get there, what to see. It started at the airport. I stood before a huge grid showing me all the buses, trains and subways to town- all in Turkish. I decide to bite the dollar and pay the $30.00 for a taxi.  It was late, I was tired and my room is in an off the grid place. I did not relish being lost in Istanbul at 9:00 pm

Istanbul is huge, 13 million people, so many shops, ally ways, restaurants and soooo much baklava. I walk out of my room on to the streets and it is overwhelming. Just deciding where to stop for coffee was a challenge. Most people drink strong tea in Turkey but coffee has become popular as well. The amount, types and shapes of baklava dazed me. I love how they sprinkle the tops with crushed pistachio nuts. I know I am in a good neighborhood because no one speaks English, which means I am not in a “tourist” area which I always prefer.

Even crossing the street was a challenge. It is a zig zag 6 lane highway of sorts. Cars and motor cycles rushing by at neck breaking speed. I approached an older woman, who of course only spoke Turkish and I indicated that I wanted to cross the street and she guided me to the corner to show me how the cross walk works. Funny how we “old “people can read each other’s mind. Has to be years of wisdom.

There is a magnificent mosque on every corner and I visited many of them. The notorious “blue mosque” an Ottoman era mosque built in the 1600’s was the most notable. The domes in the mosque are breathtaking and my camera does not do them justice. It can hold up to 10,000 people. It is a UNESCO landmark meaning it is protected by international convention as it has historical significance of outstanding value to humanity. And of course, it was mandatory to cover my head and take off my shoes before entering.

Walking through the open market bazaar stimulates every sense you have – sight, smells, sounds and taste as you are given samples of food at every stall. I would like to have bought lots of things but I have to be satified with taking photos.

But what I was most impressed with were all the stray cats. My sister, Blanca, back in Dayton, who loves all the stray cats in her neighborhood 😊 will be glad to know that Istanbul has the largest population of stray cats in the WORLD! A bit impossible to keep track of how many but it is estimated over 200,000 strays and growing. Just a few more than in her neighborhood.

Such a bizarre thing for a country to be renowned for – stray cats.  Cats are cared for by the community in Istanbul and it is considered bad luck to trap them or kill them.  So every street corner and store front has cat food and water available for any cat that comes by.  There are little cat houses through out the city. Cats were everywhere. They sat on resturant tables, walked in and out of stores, like they owned them, sat in store windows, people and cars stopped to let them cross the road. I have a wonderful friend in Arizona who is competeing with the population of stray cats in her area, she has almost as many as Instanbul.                                                                         

The story goes that the traditional wooden architecture of Ottoman houses in Istanbul attracted mice and rats, which in turn invited cats to help control the rodent population. For this the Turkish people are very grateful. In addition, cats are revered in Islam, there are stories about the Prophet Muhammad’s fondness for cats.

Cats are often seen as symbols of luck and happiness in Turkish culture. Their independent nature is admired. There is also a supersition that cats can ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.  My son tells me he watched a documentary about cats and it was said that cats understand the existence of God. Dogs think humans are God, but cats know better. People are attracted to their aloofness and demeanor, which reminds us that there is more to life than things or other people and not to worry so much. They are content creatures and not hard to please.

And as every cat owner knows, no one owns a cat!

Blue Mosque

One of several Mosque I visited

Inside the mosque -impossible to capture the grandeur and splendor of the domes

Gyros every where

Look at all that Baklava- every street had at least three shops that looked like this

I have photos of a dozen cats but will spare you. This one was at a coffee shop and someone bought him a latte with extra milk. I kid you not!

Every corner and alley- cat food put out by some kind soul

And they have lots of cat trinkets

More cat “stuff”

Market place treasures

Close up of the tiles lining the walls of the mosque- ceiling to floor some 10 meters

Evil Eye is a curse that is brought on by envy. The belief has been around since prehistory and is mentioned in every religion. Christianity’s beliefs of the evil eye can be located in Luke 11:34 where Jesus  reference to the eye as the lamp of the body. If a person’s eye is generous, then their whole body will be full of light. If their eye is evil, then their whole body will be full of darkness.The blue and white eyes protect you against the evil eye. They are sold everywhere in all sizes and forms.

WHAT TO DO WITH A MISTAKE- RECOGNIZE IT, ADMIT IT, LEARN FROM IT, FORGET IT!