I was in Istanbul, Türkiye for 8 days at the Crowne Plaza Istanbul – Old City. Walking into the hotel was surprising. It’s more like the hotels in Vegas, where you see stores, bars/cafes and eventually you make your way to the registration counter. Really nice hotel and beautiful scenery.
Across the street was a mosque. I knew one was nearby because I could hear the call to prayer over the loud speaker. I experienced this same thing while in Dubai, except in Dubai, the shops closed and the men ran to meet in a central location for prayer. That didn’t happen in Istanbul. I was on the streets several times when the prayer came over the speakers, and there was no acknowledgment of it, meaning I didn’t see stores closing or any men racing towards the mosque or some other designated area.
The area where I stayed seemed chaotic to me; it was a feeling of sensory overload. There were shops, shops, and more shops all up and down the streets. There were shops selling women’s clothing, men’s clothing, shoes, candy, pastries… and repeat… and repeat, all up the street, same stuff. There’s also a LOT OF PEOPLE; tourist and locals in the streets all day long. Not only is there a lot of people, there are a lot of men (angry looking men), everywhere. LOL (They weren’t threating, just had a look.)
This brings me to the strangeness I experienced. On the taxi ride from the airport to the hotel, the driver asked me several questions. I’ve learned through my travels not to give out my details.
After I steered the round of questions to something else, a while later I see the driver texting. WHAT IS HE TEXTING???? (1: I can’t see his screen; and 2: it would be in Turkish!!!) I’m thinking, are you texting a kidnapper. I’m joking about this but this type of stuff does happen. I have gotten in the habit of turning on the GPS so I know if the driver is following the right path. I don’t always watch the entire time unless I feel a little danger… and this guy had alerts ringing the entire time. I was thinking, if the route changes from the GPS, I will jump out of this car (tuck & roll). You can have the suitcase in the trunk; those things are replaceable. However, I’m glad to report that I arrived at the hotel safely.
I was asked almost the same questions from a waiter while paying for my meal. When he asked if I was alone, I said no, my friends are at the hotel, I decided to come out for food. Not long after that, I’m at the square walking around with hundreds of tourists. Guy walks up and asks if I needed assistance. Strange question because I’m not looking around as if I’m lost (I knew actually where I was going). Second question… are you alone… NO!!! Are they wanting to know if anyone would miss me if I didn’t show up that evening. This is why I stay in the touristy areas.
Needless to say, I didn’t let these disturbing encounters stop me from going out and enjoying my visit. One day I caught the tram to the Spice Bazaar. When I got there I was on the side of the street with the boat tours so I decided to take a tour. I’m glad I did because I saw so much more of the city. When I got back I still went to visit the spice bazaar/market area, which was jammed packed with vendors and people. There were so many alleyways to turn down, you could get lost.
I also met a couple of fellow travelers in the hotel. Because of my status with IHG hotels, I have club lounge access. This particular hotel served a buffet dinner every evening in the lounge (most hotels only serve hors d’oeuvres). The lounge also provides snacks and non-alcoholic drinks until 11:00pm. And they serve alcoholic drinks during dinner hours. All of this is free if you have club lounge access.
One day, this couple overheard me talking with the attendant and asked where in the States I was from. They were from Florida, but she was originally from Vietnam and he was German. They invited me to sit with them, and we talked for a couple of hours. I sat with them the next day and after they checked out of the hotel the following day, I met another couple. They were from also from Florida.
The hotel’s food for breakfast (also free) and dinner was good, and I got a chance to try Turkish food items. I’ve tried Turkish spicy scrambled eggs (looks like eggs in some sort of tomato sauce), some sort of beef sausage and veal sausage, Turkish delight (candy), Turkish baklava.
I also experienced a Turkish bath at the hotel’s spa. It involves a series of cleansing and relaxation stages (sweating in a sauna, getting an exfoliation scrub, and receiving a soap massage.) Before and after each step, warm water is poured all over you as you lay on a special table. After the soap massage, you stand and the water is poured over your head. After about 4 times, the lady said something but I didn’t hear her. But I quickly found out what she said… prepare for COLD water!! Then she tells me, one more time. I braced myself and got through it.
I also had a 40-minute body massage scheduled. After all of this, I was so relaxed I decided to just chill for the rest of the day.
All in all, Istanbul was a nice visit. Add to your list of places to visit, and don’t forget to get a Turkish bath.
