Tag Archives: Turkish

Travel Poetry – 2

Travel poem number 2 about Istanbul. I depart the shiny new tram taste sage tea hundreds of years in the making consumed near a Muslim graveyard, where I espied silhouettes of crescent moons, stars under pitch black skies. As I dodge mutant dancing zebras, vehicles screech to halt at the light. Garish clothes, piled onContinue reading “Travel Poetry – 2”

Best photographs of the day: Turkish cowboys and Australian cyclones

A selection of photo highlights from around the world, including a human hen and Brexit protests

Turkey’s tourism industry reels from a year to forget

Hope is in short supply for those involved in Turkish tourism after bomb attacks and a failed coup in the country this year. From Istanbul to Ankara, Antalya to Mardin, visitor numbers remain woefully low and businesses are laying off staff

Istanbul – Bazaar – 5

This extract is from ‘Travel Tales from Exotic Places like Salford’ I thought that I would offer the shop owner 50 Turkish Lira for the piece with a view to paying around 100 Lira maximum. I walked away to look at some other jewellery pieces and then returned, after getting lost because I took the wrong right hand turnContinue reading “Istanbul – Bazaar – 5”

Istanbul – Bazaar – 4

This extract is from ‘Travel Tales from Exotic Places like Salford’ Not all the souvenirs on sale in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul are tourist tat. Some areas in the market sell some seriously expensive articles – the way to tell which shops these are, is that the people selling these antiques and collector’s items don’t hassle passers-by. TheyContinue reading “Istanbul – Bazaar – 4”

Istanbul – Spice Bazaar – 3

This extract is from ‘Travel Tales from Exotic Places like Salford’ I made the mistake of lingering for three seconds looking at a blue T-shirt of Istanbul. “Welcome back,” said a voice. “Thank you,” I said. “You have been here before I think.” “Yes I have,” I said, “in 1999 and 1990.” “I have been hereContinue reading “Istanbul – Spice Bazaar – 3”

Istanbul – Spice Bazaar – 2

This extract is from ‘Travel Tales from Exotic Places like Salford’ “You should come into the shop and then when you have bought a carpet you will have even less money,” he smiled. “No thank you.” “Where are you from?” “England.” “London?” “No, further north.” “Business is bad this year – due to the globbal cresssssus.”Continue reading “Istanbul – Spice Bazaar – 2”

On the menu at the mosque – 2

This extract is from ‘Travel Tales from Exotic Places like Salford’ “I bring you Raspberry cold drink and a test of the Turnip juice just to see.” So he brings me both – I taste the Turnip juice. “That is good I like it.” “It is too strong for you – the Raspberry is better forContinue reading “On the menu at the mosque – 2”

On the menu at the Mosque – 1

This extract is from ‘Travel Tales from Exotic Places like Salford’ I had dinner in a restaurant that’s located in a mosque complex. It’s so atmospheric having a huge salad, pistachio kebab, and a pitta the size and shape of a small tortoise when seated on a Turkish couch that’s purple in colour with pink cushions and cyan throwsContinue reading “On the menu at the Mosque – 1”