March/April,
2011 – After my medical adventure I pretty much went into hiding.
The weather was abysmal (i.e. cold and rainy) so I forced myself to
catch up on the blog. With two months of pictures and journal notes
to sift through there was a lot to do. Luckily, the weather was my
enabler. So I hunkered down in a rented apartment and let the
updating begin.
I
mostly cooked my own food and, at least in the beginning, barely left
my lair. In all I rented three apartments all within walking distance
of Taksim
Square, the heart of Istanbul and a great place to feel the
city's pulse. Of course, I was not a complete misanthrope. I made a
few friends via Couchsurfing.org
and spent a fair amount of time with them and wandering the city all
by my lonesome.
I
defy you to visit Istanbul and not drink a shit ton of tea or smoke
an ass load of hooka. It almost feels like a requirement. Not only
that it can be an extremely pleasant undertaking....until you make
yourself nauseous from all the tobacco. And frankly, I am surprised I
have any teeth remaining after guzzling tea that was equal parts
sugar and water. Damn yummy.
If
Taksim Square is the heart of Istanbul then Istiklal
Avenue is its main artery. Millions of people traverse this
pedestrian walkway on any given day. Anything and everything can be
found of this street. Shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, theaters,
galleries, etc. Chances are you will find that which you seek. I
probably patrolled this thoroughfare no less than 1.32 million times.
With Istanbul being the cosmopolitan East meets West nexus that it
is anonymity is remarkably easy to attain. No simple task when you
stand 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm).
