braggy's Travel Blog

Cultural Clashes - Istanbul, Turkey

 This place was Amazing visited Jun 8, 2006

Where do I begin!

Ladies and gentlemen Istanbul is possibly the most culturally and historically diverse city in the entire world. Once capital to practically every major empire to ever conquer the 'Known world' Istanbul bears the mark of many of many cultures with diverse political practices and religious beliefs. Every since the reign of Constantine Muslims have plastered over motifs in Catholic churches, Catholics then removed the plaster which a couple of hundred years later Muslims then covered up again! Back and forwards through history men, gods and empires have view for control for the gateway of Asia. Even in our modern history, Istanbul has been a politically and strategically import location that every king queen president and despot has sought to control. (For those Australians that don't know look up why we were invading Gallipoli (And yes Gallipoli is in turkey) in the first place)

Being the gateway to Asia and the Middle East places Istanbul in a very precarious position. Decidedly western, Sultanamet and the european side of the Bosphorous is vocally clamoring for EU membership while just on the side of the river, civil unrest, conservative beliefs and fierce national pride seek to pull turkey towards more conservative social and political policies.

The Turkish military is perhaps the only check stop that currently exists that could stop a conservative government from coming to power. Fiercely loyal to the reformative agenda first set by then Captain Mustafa Kemal Ataturk president of Turkey, the Turkish military has twice stepped in and seized power when conservative parties have come to power. Once in the 60's and again in the late 80's.

The surprising thing as that despite the tremendous amount of power that the gendarme generals have when in power they willingly relinquish their position after about 2 years calling for fresh elections and a new government that wants to hold true to the beliefs of Turkey’s father figure. Lets just say that after 2 years of military rule, the Turkish population have been quite happy to elect a reformist government ... at least for a few years!

Anyway enough on politics. Lets move to one of other forbidden three... Religion.

The religious splendor that is a major muslin capital is simply amazing. Despite major social problems the call to prayer that echoes over istanbul from over a hundred mosques 5 times a day is really amazing and this infidel can't help but be moved... though it seems that 90% of young Turkish Muslims seem to follow the following maxim. 'Won't eat pork, but will have sex' as one Young Turk told me. In other words as this amazing song echoes over the Bosphorous... barely a single Turk bats an eyelid. Yep despite the most impressive religious structures and relics (Like one of Mohammed 2000 teeth) the vast majority of Turks living in Istanbul are non practicing Muslims.

The Blue Mosque.

What can I say amazing structure incredible simply incredible cannot be adequately explained or described it simply has be experienced. Unfortunately I am not my mother and I was unable to bullshit my way inside during prayer time though the sense of religious fervor that could be glimpsed through the windows was awe inspiring just the same

The Aye Sophia

Formally a Christian church, it was converted to Muslim mosque in the 13th century. Recently declared a UN heritage location this museum's (Declared by Ataturk in the 40's) secrets are slowly but surely being revealed. The impressive frescos and paintings that for centuries have been covered by plaster bit by bit revealing their ancient splendor once more to the world.

The Top okapi Palace

This place is my favorite, now turkey’s national museum this amazing building show cases the best of the ottoman sultans, the Romans, the Catholics and the Muslims. Amazing jewels, historical artifacts not to mention some extremely culturally and religiously significant relics. Footprints, sandals, teeth and hair of the prophet Mohammed.

Anyway for the younger crowd the night life is fantastic, Taxim, Sultanamet and the Bosphous are all great venues if your looking for a good time. For all single guys and girls the Turkish people will welcome you with open arms, the girls because your different not to mention in comparison fairly decent to most of the more conservative Turkish gents out there and for the guys will welcome all aussie girls because as all Australians know, every Australian girl is blond blue eyed with model figures and of course completely obedient and willing to do exactly what they are told no matter what time or what location... oh how I’d love to pick up some of these guys and dump them in a pub back home... that certainly would be an education experience.

As for me! I'm having a great time for those of you that want to travel I heartily recommend Istanbul this place is truly amazing.

As Always

Carpe Diem

Ralph Bragg

This entry is part of the trip itinerary European Sojoun

posted Jun 10, 2006 | Comments (0)

A Night To Remember - Istanbul, Turkey

 This place was Amazing visited Jun 1, 2006

Hi Guys welcome to istanbul! After spending an amazing 4 days with Muge visiting all of the local hangouts in Istanbul and visiting the university of Istanbul and the Bosporus I was finally about ready to actual return to my humble tourist routes and visit the main sites of Istanbul. The Blue Mosque, The Iya Sophia (Please excuse my spelling) and the Top-okapi Palace (Main Turkish Museum).

Upon arriving at the main gardens outside the Blue Mosque, two canadian girl friends of mine (Kelly and Sharron) where set upon by a Turkish reporter with wild fuzzy hair. That Hair i'd remember anywhere. Nassinin is but one turkish citizen in a city of approximately 14 million and i could pick her out of a crowd any where any time. Casually strolling up behind her i asked her if perhaps she could use my help. After looking at me for 2 seconds she recognized me and came screaming and running into my arms shouting oh my god! oh my god! oh my god!.

Now guys, it was nothing like that! We are just friends! Her poor old camera man was convinced that she had finally gone completely insane running into the arms of a strange western man in the middle of the blue mosk gardens. Anyway, after much talk about how impossibly remote the chances of running into each other was (I was planning on calling her that afternoon anyway) we finally got down to talking to Sharron and Kelly about exactly what we wanted them to do.

The Stage is set!

Every night on turkish television Show TV, a section is done on just how bad are turkish men at hassling foreigners. Anyway needless to say they are pretty pushy and have a very low opinion on how western women should be treated in general. The solution. 2 good looking western girls, 1 hidden camera, 1 hidden microphone and the stage is set for very good television and a few very embarrassed turkish gentlemen.

After succeeding in her goal to obtain her 5 minutes for tonight. Nassinin promptly trussed me up like a chicken and forced me into her Show TV van. 20 minutes later i was ushered through security assigned an official guest tag and i was walking through one of Istanbul's premier television and magazine studios. Greetings the news cast, the script writers, the pre and post production teams and finally meeting my old friends Korhan and Yasim i had the privilege to be given a crash course in how to create a news article from the 2 hours of tape by editing it down to 5 minutes. Basically it was my role to watch what they did and help translate the english that was the Canadians dialogue.

One hour later 8 phone calls, i was informed that i was going out for dinner! No problems here! After stopping off at a local Nargile bar (Turkish Water Pipe) we proceeded to head to Taxim where it turns out there were 10 people waiting to meet me only half of which i had previously met!

Lots of Raki, great food and the best company made for a fantastic day 2 to istanbul... but yes as for the sights... still haven't seen any yet! Oh well, i'm in no rush and there is always tomorrow, i'm having far more fun on my own!

As Always

Carpe Diem!

Ralph Bragg

This entry is part of the trip itinerary European Sojoun

posted Jun 6, 2006 | Comments (0)

An Alien Landscape - Goreme, Turkey

 This place was Amazing visited May 28, 2006

An Alien Landscape

On my second day in Cappodocia i awoke to find myself in a cave... yep a cave.... this place is amazing if you live in a wooden or brick house then something isn't right, your considered unusual. Everybody Lives In Caves!!!

Um yeah today was amazing not really sure if words can really do it justice, only the photos can provide a glimpse into just how strange and alien both the landscape and the ancient cultures that inhabited it truly are! Underground cities, the church of St. John the baptist carved entirely into the rock.

The evening was also fantastic, great night out with with the Fez guys! And not just because it was the first time i've eaten steak in 5 weeks!

The last day was probable one of the most enjoyable days that i've had on my travels so far. The entire population of the shoestring hostel decided to hire scooters for the day and really go and explore goreme with the help of our friendly fez leader andrew who gladly volunteered his time to show us around. After a 5 minute instruction on how to ride a scooter the Shoestring Scooter Gang was ripping down the highway at a whopping great 65.5Km/h man i want one of these... 4 hours of hard riding later we stopped to refuel only to find out that we used approximately 3 lira (2.2 AUD) worth of fuel.

And Muge you might ask...Yeah OK! I'll come clean I'm also missing Muge! What can i say... i like the girl!

As Always

Carpe Diem

Ralph Bragg

This entry is part of the trip itinerary European Sojoun

posted Jun 3, 2006 | Comments (0)

A Night To Remember - Antalya, Turkey

 This place was Amazing visited May 24, 2006

Well what is there to say about Olympus except that it is possibly the most amazing place i have ever been. The accommodation that is provided built high up in the air as tree houses. Every child hood fantasy about the world best tree house comes to fruition in Olympus.

On my 2nd to last night at Olympus i was lucky enough to enjoy the company of the beautiful Muge. It was truly an amazing night, the power had failed at Olympus and technically the beach was closed and off limits after dark. After finding a small pide (Turkish pancake) restaurant on the beach and a few glasses of red wine we went for swim under the stars in the med where the only sights and sounds where the twinkling of an alien night sky and the gentle roar of the mediterranean sea.

This girl is so sweet that when she smiles the starlight is reflected in her eyes and despite the occasional torch light spied in the distance we may has well have been the last people on earth under the glorious heavens.

First things that should be noted is that you don't try and have a relationship with a turkish girl that also happens to be the tour leader for the next stage of your trip around turkey... unfortunately neither of us knew that the other was going to be on the bus the following morning nor what sort of relationship that we were going to have.

Now everybody that knows me can tell those that don't that i tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve. Here i was, an australian guy that just spent an amazing night under the stars with a beautiful turkish girl, to say that i was in a good mood would be a massive understatement. Both of us resolved to hide the fact that there was anything between us for the sake of the other passengers... take a guess just how well that worked...

Cappodocia

After a 9 hour bus trip i arrived on the moon... or at least it felt like the moon. The alien landscape that is the Cappodocia region is unlike anything else on this earth and really has to be seen to be believed. Built directly into the rocks thousands of caves provide homes to the native inhabitants, shelter for a animals and even entire underground hidden cities that where used as defensive locations in ages past.

After touring one of the outlying citiies of goreme with Muge (Primarily because both of us wanted some time alone) I was struck quite severerly with just how different the people as well as the country were. In Istanbul and along the agean cost line, the turkish guys and girls are very western and very liberal, bikinis and skirts are the order of the day. Sleeveless tops and board shorts are a way of life, however in eastern turkey the rules are completely different, jeans long sleeved shirts and hats or scarves adorn every passer buy. For me it was a new experience not to be the one that was being stared at or should i say being leered at. It was Muge.

Muge was wearing a pair of shirts and simple sleeveless shirt which made perfect sense considering it as about 38 degree C and quite humid, the looks that she received by both guys and girls varied from, wow, you go girl! to your a disgrace to women every where. For me it was a rude shock!

After a wonderful day spent in each others arms on the banks of some river that i have no idea how to spell let alone pronounce we retreated back to the safety of tourist central to bid farewell to each other for now and for me to get ready for a night of traditional turkish dancing.

This night was one of the highlights of the trip, 50 lira for a 3 hour show, great food, great dancing, excellent company and all the alcohol that you could drink. The videos i have are hilarious especially when the turkish belly dancer selected 4 of the foreigners to learn how to belly dance.

After stumbling out of the Turkish restaurant we all decided to kick on at the local bar where Pat (Australian, 35) proceeded to become officially the most drunk person i have ever seen not including myself at one of my best mates 21st. Apologies again to kieran and to my other best mate Bas!

This entry is part of the trip itinerary European Sojoun

posted Jun 3, 2006 | Comments (0)

Kadirs tree Top Guest House - An Interesting Night - Fethiye, Turkey

 This place was Amazing visited May 20, 2006

The Guys

Well the cruise certainly was an interesting experience to say the least... i don't really think that i can do justice just how much of an asshole this captain on our gullet was. So i'll leave it at he was the biggest asshole i have ever had the pleasure of negotiating with.

Quick summary, had a great trip, met a heap of fantastic people (Photos and descriptions will be coming later) saw absolutely nothing of what i supposed to see.

Arriving into Olympus was fantastic, very similar to Atilla's in terms of hospitality and business practices, this place is fantastic and cheap and what's more is pretty much deserted during the low season so it was going to be a great chance to relax and unwind and maybe go walking to see the natural fire plumes that burn continuously year round.... Except for the brilliant coincidence that this weekend happened to be the first national holiday for the turkish people for the summer! The result 500 university students descending on Olympus for the party of the century. How will i ever cope!

Anyway i'm sure that the fire plumes will still be there in 3 days time when they have all gone back to university!

This morning i slowly recovered from the monster night before hand. I don't seem to understand the turkish women's interest in western men but i sure as hell wasn't complaining. One refreshing swim in the ocean followed by a great breakfast i wandered through Olympus talking to the locals and generally minding my own business when i ran into the crew from the boat at the Olympus yachting headquarters. I harbor no ill will towards the fine men and women at Olympus yachting but overall the quality of service of Captain Muahramat was terrible and in many occasions outright offensive. And most of the crew had gathered their to express their displeasure.

I don't know how it ended up but i was made negotiator in a class action against Olympus Yachting! Final result 100 Lira refund which was 60% of the total trip price. Not bad for a days work, that 100 Lira should fund the next weeks accommodation. Anyway it is now Saturday night and the bar is just starting to heat up! It is the last night in Olympus for the university students who just so happen to be my age!

Have a great night guys!

As Always

Carpe Diem

Ralph Bragg

What A Night!!! Certainly was a very interesting experience. I love being the token foreigner it such an amazing experience. For starters turkish guys dance as well as Australian guys, i.e they don't! Turkish women unfortunately are mostly the same! Well i wasn't going to hang around waiting for other people to begin dancing so i decided to start the night off myself. Their i was just dancing away by myself having a great old time eyes closed losing myself to the beats of 'Summer Rain' which for the oldies is a popular dance track by Slinkee Minx. When the song finished i was startled out of my introspection by a wide wave of applause!!! Took me 30 seconds to realise that the turks were clapping the crazy australian on the dance floor! Anyway the night went on didn't feel like drinking just dancing. Things started to get nasty at about 1am.... I was dancing with a couple of turkish girls or should i say they were dancing with me when they got ushered of the floor by 6 or 7 young turkish guys i didn't mind and just kept dancing away when the all came back.... use your imagination as to what happened next... things got a little nasty. Apparently the Turkish guys can't handle foreigners that think they can dance!

One fortifying drink at the bar outside 4 aussie's and 2 brits later we went back... The 6 guys didn't open their mouths

This entry is part of the trip itinerary European Sojoun

posted May 26, 2006 | Comments (0)