Nirvana?

Istanbul is like a giant parfait. Attractive and somewhat mysterious in appearance, varying depending on the tastes of the consumer, and composed of different layers that, alone, can be unexciting and, together, create a unique and interesting dish.

Upon first inspection, the people of Istanbul appear to live lives of glamorous leisure. Dinners stretch out for hours, servers wait so long to bring the check that I forget I haven’t paid, and almost every Turk I have met has insisted on a fairly lengthy conversation. (They also love to joke!) However, I have learned that while the Turks do enjoy the time of leisure they have, the time in between is spent battling traffic, fending off merchants, and working hard at their respective jobs. Even the serene mosques are surrounded by bustling bazaars, mimicking every other environment in Istanbul. Here, it seems that peace is often punctuated by organized chaos.

The Turks vary as much as the city they inhabit. Almost everyone I have encountered is friendly, hospitable, and pleasant – this rarely seems to change. What does change are their lifestyles and appearance. Where most are polite, well-dressed, and respectful, others work in shops that facilitate harassment and often unwelcome persistence. While most are honest, gracious, and inviting, a few aim to make extra money off of non-Turkish visitors.

I have had the good fortune of dealing with wonderful Turks, but am realizing that, like in America, they are not all as good as their city. But they all thrive on their culture, celebrate their politics, and work hard in the city that doesn’t appear to sleep.

Just like every city in the world, Istanbul is home to many people, places, and ideals. I’ve found myself getting wrapped up in the fantastic and impressive culture and placing Istanbul on a pedestal; I have to remind myself that this is not and idyllic place and keep myself from becoming dismayed when someone happens to infringe upon my nirvana.