Alexis Explores Istanbul

Turkey, Where Have You Been All My Life?
I visited Istanbul on November 3-11, 2009, to take part in an educational fair through Mississippi State University’s Office of International Education. I had an amazing time in Turkey and hope to return soon! The following are some trip highlights:

Turkish Universities
We received very nice tours of Yeditepe University and two campuses of Istanbul Technical University. We were impressed with both universities’ facilities and international programs. I hope that more MSU students will consider traveling abroad to Turkey, which is so welcoming to international students and offers top-notch education.

Beautiful Historical Sites
The history of Turkey is breathtaking. I visited the Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and several other marvelous places. The ubiquitous blue tiles were the most beautiful aspect of Turkish architecture to me. And I certainly understand why Sultan Mehmet II dropped to his knees in awe upon entering Hagia Sophia.

Excellent Food
I was stuffed the entire time I was there, from the moment I ate breakfast on the first day until the moment I stepped onto the airplane to leave Turkey. The food was amazing, especially the street-vendor food. One of my favorite items was a sweet, honey-covered type of doughnut I bought on the street for 1 Turkish lira. At the time a big, stray dog was following us around, and he was so sweet and friendly that I bought him a pastry, too. He earned it by posing for several photos. I also enjoyed the long ropes of Turkish delight and chocolate-pistachio candy bars. Even when I was incredibly full and didn’t think I could eat another bite, I would pass a candy store and start eating again.

Friendly People (and Cats!)
Everyone was extremely polite and helpful while we were in Turkey, especially the staff at our hotel, the educational fair workers, and the cab drivers. Turkey is famous for its hospitality, and its friendly reputation is well deserved. Not only are the people friendly, but also the stray cats! Yasma and I stayed in Sultanahmet in the Old City on the European side, where there are many well-fed, tame stray cats. Those cats were actually friendlier to me than my own cats at home are! I fell in love with a fat, black kitten while in Turkey. He slept outside of our hotel in a flower pot and was fed by many tourists. The last time I saw him, two Parisian tourists were petting him and feeding him turkey.


Shopping Frenzy
Of course, I read beforehand in travel books that Istanbul is a shopping mecca, and so true it is! I could have stayed all day at the Grand Bazaar and the smaller Arasta Bazaar, but fortunately Yasma was there to drag me away. For myself I bought a scarf, a blue ceramic vase, and a necklace. The shopping highlight of the trip was buying souvenirs for my family: boxes of Turkish delight, chocolate-pistachio candy bars, a wooden flute for my nephew, a sequined purse for my niece, and scarves, jewelry, and vases for everyone else. I wish I’d had more money, time, and an unlimited bag allowance.