first impressions

After weeks of  detailed planning of the sort that would have made mission control at the Kennedy Space Center proud, the day final came and we and the Brother Rice Global debate team were on our way to Istanbul. Some 11+ hours later, we touched down at Ataturk Airport, Istanbul. Ataturk airport looks much like Detroit Metro Airport, until you get inside. At first look, it seems like a chaos of humanity going this way and that. But soon you begin to notice a sort of "controlled" chaos. People were going about there business and the ebb and flow of the day to day business continued. We joined the chaos and made our way to passport control. We cleared passport control, got our luggage and made our way out with relative ease. Our transportation to the hotel was waiting,  surprise number one. I guess they were not ready to see mountain of luggage. But to their credit, they managed to fit us and ALL the luggage into vehicle, some under foot and some literally stacked up in the front passenger seat.

The drive to the hotel went well. The highways are decorated with flowers making them very scenic. Our first glympse of Istanbul was incredible. The city spralls across both sides of the Bosporus and climbs up the adjacent hills. Mosques and with their minerets can be seen everywhere. All at once you get the feelng you are in a very progressive city that is very, very old. In fact, some of the main boulevards are lined with the remnants of ancient Greek and Roman artifacts.

Istanbul is a bustling city of approx. 13 million people. In many aspects, it sort of reminds me of New York City, except you can't understand anyone but I found the Turkish people to be warm and friendly and helpful.

Mornings and evenings are punctuated by the call to prayer from many mosques all over the city. They combine into a sort of symphony that echos far and wide, and we found that especially in the evening, when the city starts to grow quiet, it actually can be quite melodic and reflective.

Driving in Istanbul is quite another thing however. It seems that the rules of the road are more like "suggestions" and at times, I think that the road signs are just there for decoration. Istanbul mass transit however is quite good. Ferries traverse the Bosporus with commuters with regularity and punctuality, and the fares for a ride are very reasonable: 1.75 TL. Istanbul on the european side has a good tram system too. It is very affordable (1.75 TL) and is a very dependable and the best part is they are air-conditioned! This is a nice amenity after you have been walking all day in the Turkish summer heat. (yes, it is very warm and humid here).

posted: Ken Tolksdorf