Shopping and eating in Istanbul

Istanbul do have a vast range of shops and bazars. The most famous is of course The Grand Bazaar (Kapalıçarşı, meaning Covered Bazaar)), which I wrote about in a former post. Other famous shopping areas are Nişantaşı and İstiklâl Cadessi on the European side. Here most tourists do their shopping.

Well there are alternatives
We did shop were the locals live on the Asian side: Bağdat Caddesi (Baghdad Avenue) in the suburb named Kadiköy and the district of Erenköy. Here you find all the famous international brands with their own shops as well as Turkish Brands. Just like in all major cities.
 
Follow the signs from the European side when you have cossed “Hasans bridge” (The Bosphoros Bridge - 1. Boğaziçi Köprüsü”) in the direction of  Kadiköy.

Bağdat Caddesi is a one way drive from south to north. 
This is not what I had imagined an avenue in Istanbul…

Sidewalk at Bagdat Cadessi. Is this really Asia? 
Ingelin and Anna crossing a small street. Marmara Sea at the end of the street.
 
The Ladies went shopping. Luckely for papa, they did find what they wanted in the same shop (Moda of Turkey). Papa and grandson had to wait for more than a hour. In between papa as well found some Jeans and T-Shirts;-) Guess the ladies were surprised…
Shopping also means: Time for Lunch. At least Metin Leander was hungry. Turkish food are delicous. And healthy as long as you stay away from Turkish Delights. LOL.

More food and other stories from Istanbul and Turkey to come…

A Visit to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

From my previous post, you might remember we went from the Asian part of Istanbul to the European.

We were heading for The Grand Bazaar which was constructed between 1455 and 1461.
One of the Worlds biggest indoor markets.

Zeynep as our wondeful hostess and driver and guide and grandma to Metin Leander, my daughter Ingelin, Anna and me.
Istanbul is a metropolis -  a megacity, spreading over two continents – Asia and Europe.

Good then to go with Zeynep, who knows where to park the Car.
 
And where to take the modern Tram (Street Car) to the Grand Bazaar.

Nine stops crossing the Golden Horn.
And also learn how to pay for the ride.
All about Trams in Istanbul here

 
We went from Kabataş to Kapalı Çarşı - The Grand Bazaar.  Anna and Zeynep are close to enter
.
Grand Bazaar in Beyazit, on the European side of Istanbul, is one of the City's greatest tourism attractions, and you do not need to buy anything. You only look, if you prefere;)

It's like walking around in a modern Shopping Mall, but the Shops are smaller and private owned. Above you see Grandma with Grandson. He was perhaps the greatest attraction that Day;)

You can find allmost everything here (no fashion of any kind, that will be in an other post):
 
New and antique jewellery, inlaid woodwork furniture, textiles and embroidery, metalware, lamps, carpets and more can all be found beneath the covered alleyways.

Try and bargain. Do not look to eager. Like Anna and Ingelin;)
 
It's very well organized in the sense that all shops selling the same type of goods are located in the same alley. In the middle of the Bazaar you find the above “advertizing” for Boybeyi Jewellery
.
The Grand Bazaar is huge and crowed. No fixed prices, so you have to bargain. The quality of the goods varies, so you should know how to distinct the genuine from the fake.
We needed a rest as well, all of us. It was many new and strange impressions. Not at least for Metin Leander, 8 months and 10 Days. And more crowed than we Vikings are used to… from 250,000 to 400,000 visitors a day.
 
No visit to an oriental bazaar without seeing  a Lamp;)
What will be your 3 wishes?

About The Grand Bazaar

Can you buy Taxfree?
Some Shops offer Taxfree: 18% off. Present the merchandise and receipt to The Customs Tax-Free office at the airport in Istanbul, located in the International Departure Terminal, is opened 24 hours a day. Do not sign any papers you can not understand when you buy, others than related directly to your Credit Card receipt.


Summary
For me it was a great tourist attraction well worth visiting. It gives an insight in historical oriental markets and sales and buying behaviours.  Not very unlike modern shoppings malls exept for the lack of fixed prices, sales, A/C, Parking lots and Fast Food.
If you are a skilled shopper, I’m sure you will find treasures here.

Grandson Metin Leander did a great performance. He charmed everybody.

More to come....

PS. Photos from Oslo you have never thought about

Anna went shopping and Papa took some Photos

Dear blogger Friends,
one week without Internet Connection: Could you bear such a burden?
Papa went allmost crazy.

OK, as you might know, we did visit Ingelin and her Family in Düsseldorf and Essen, Germany, during this Easter. Here you see Anna and Metin Leander, 5 months young.

Shopping was on the To-Do-List.
No Camera allowed during the Shopping. But afterwards Anna went on the local Catwalk. LOL.

Here you se her- See the Price Tag?

Here as well - What do you think?

Anna wanted a Mirror. Guess who were the Mirror. haha. They have so much fun. Anna and Ingelin.

Then it was Time for Dinner. After all, we went along for 5 hours. On our own feets. This was the appetizer.

And now, some photos from the Main Dish preparation:

 Look, they are really consentrated to present and serve a perfect Dinner

 

Calf Fillets

Ingelin and Kaya enjoyed to prepare dinner for Papa and Anna

Here you see 3 of us having a happy and very well professional prepared Meal

Much more to come, so stay tuned...


By the way, it's about time to make your most interisting travel booking ever:
The Oslo Blog Gathering takes place mid August 2010. All true bloggers will arrive.
More here

Papa reporting from USA

This morning I wake up very early in the morning in Chicago: Heavy Rainshowers and Thunder.
After a Shower and Breakfast around 7 am, and some mailchecking etc on Internet, I left the Hotel at 9:15 AM.

In spite of several Road Contstruction Areas, the trafic circulated surprisingly well.

Bikers along Interstate 94

First stop was at the Michigan Wellcome Centre at I-94. Had a fruit lunch in the Beautiful Picnic Area.

My Map was a bit bad, so I did some rounds in the Area, just to be known, of course. *giggles*.

Papa and Mats went shopping
Have you heard something similar before?

What did Papa buy?

Yezz - a Nikon D60 - Photo taken with my Pentax Optio (Water- and Dustproof)

Mats had to buy Food (my regular readers do know that's my job too, when at home) - and a Pillow for me. Plus a Night Lamp for my readings.

We went back home and made my camera ready for use. Below is some flower examples:

Then we went back shopping. I had promised Mats and Lori BD presents to their new Garden.
They have a pretty big platform, that needs some big plants.
We found some Palms, but they were too big for the Dodge Charger to bring Home.

Strong Man

Then Lori called, and said: We need a new Hedge Trimmer. Here it is.

Took some more pictures with my new Camera.


These are Chorall Cactuses
Papa makes Dinner
First Aspargus with genuine Butter
Then Cauliflower, Broccoli, Special Saucisses, fresh pepper and tomatoes, French Bread
Rasberries, Bananas and Premium Home made Vanilla Icecream

PS. Lori got a Book from me: Norwegian Cooking

More to come....

Mariestad - in short

Hi folks,

what a blast we do have here with Renny and Diane. So, pls excuse our selfishness by not posting more. But here you'll find something public. *giggles*

You may know, Norwegians abroad are loved all over the World: 'cause we are heavy shoppers;))

Anna shopping Jeans. Not because of favourable prices but:

due to the excellent service.

- Hmm, I like these, but a bit too long, Anna said

- No problem, I'll fix that within 10 minutes, the serviceminded girl said. And 8 minutes later, the jeans was fixed and a perfect match to Anna's body.

Anna likes to draw.

Here is Renny studing himself as drawn and seen by the artist

Then Diane had to be model.

Papa danced with the model.

OK, folks, that's all for now. We are busy, so stay tuned