Beautifully cropped! A shot of a hot air balloon in Istanbul by smallscreen. This is what they call big sky in Turkey, I guess.
I realize I am a little late with this Photo of the day, but it’s still June 30 here on the West Coast.
***To have your photo considered for the Gadling Photo of the Day, go over to the Gadling Flickr Pool and post it. Make sure it is not copyrighted, otherwise we can’t post it here.***
Ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a farmer? That’s what I set to do last summer, albeit on a different continent and in a country whose language was completely alien to me.
Yep, I chose Turkey. Looking back, it was my perfect introduction to the world of Islam (and agriculture). It’s a pretty safe place, the people are at once cosmopolitan and traditional, and there’s just so much history to see and absorb.
For a week, I lived with an incredibly welcoming Turkish family in the countryside outside Baebeski, a small town a few hours drive from Istanbul. My host mother cooked very delicious meals while my host father handled the chaffeuring (by tractor). Here are pictures from that memorable week.
%Gallery-14679%
European travel guru Rick Steves has changed things up a bit for one of his latest books. This new stand-alone guide to Istanbul was not written by him–a first for the super active and involved guide book master. Instead, Rick turned the project over to a pair of trustworthy and knowledgeable Europe Through the Back Door tour guides.
Husband and wife team, Lale Surmen Aran and Tankut Aran are an Istanbul couple that run a “Back Door” style travel agency, SRM Travel, and have led several Rick Steves’ Best of Turkey Tours. As Rick states in an introductory sidebar, “I believe [Lale and Tankut] know their hometown better than any non-Turk ever could. And, after a lifetime of tour guiding, they relate well to Americans and understand their needs and concerns.”
This city guide is a nice slim fit for your backpack or day-bag, loaded with tips on where to dine, sleep and shop in Istanbul. The Turkish travel duo suggest self-guided tours of Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and other sites, as well as walking tours of the Old Town back streets, the historic center, the Golden Horn inlet and the New District.
So today I’m out and headed for Tajikistan by way of Istanbul. I can’t tell you how very excited I am after weeks of waiting. As always I will do my best to report from the road, but you can assure I’ll provide full detail afterwards. In the meantime I’m hoping to make good use of my long layover in Istanbul. Hmm, a hamam perhaps? Or maybe just a bite to eat somewhere… I’ll be sure to let you know.
Today’s word is a Turkish word used in Turkey:
lokanta – restaurant
Prepare ahead of time by visiting this Turkish Class site. Membership is free and you’ll get a lot more than some of the basics they already have listed. Online Turkish is good too, but you’ll have to register and pay to get anything more than hello, how are you and I love you. Stick to the first site and check out this Turkish vocabulary list of body parts. Wiki has an excellent starters piece on background, history and a short list of words. Scope out phrasebooks from Rough Guides, Lonely Planet or grab both.
Past Turkish words: merhaba, iyi volculuklar, sabirsiz
The clock is ticking and I’m still trying to narrow down what to see or do during my layover in Istanbul on Thursday. I’ve been told to visit the hamams or have lunch on a roof top or do both. The blue mosque, Galata Bridge, Taksim, Sultanahmet, Golden Horn and Tower of Galata have also been tossed my way, but I’m more for quality than quantity so seeing ALL the sites in one run isn’t a priority. If there were only one or two YOU personally feel are must-visits while in the city please shoot your ideas and thoughts my way. I’m truly game to anything and if it doesn’t work for me it may work for someone else.
Checking out LP’s worldguide now.