Bread is sacred
by TheLongTone
No surprise here.
....as the Mayans say, we are made of maize, and the ancient Egyptian word for bread is the same as their word for life.
In Turkey throwing bread away is a real sin. So leftover bread...think of all that bread that goes back to the kitchen when you've finished your meal in a restaurant.... is neatly bagged up and put somewhere the needy can take it. The photo shows such bags hung on the railings outside a mosque.
I call this truly civilised.
In search for Roxolana (aka Roxelana, Hürrem)
by om_212
Roksolana (aka Roxelana, Haseki Hürrem, Hürrem Sultan (d. 1558), the beloved wife of Süleyman I and mother of Selim II. For us Ukrainians, she is known as Nastya Lisovska, a daughter of Ruthenian priest from Rohatyn (city not far from Lviv). Her story is tragic and magnificent. kidnapped from her own wedding and sold into slavery in Kaffa by Tatars, this fragile (and many historian believe not that pretty) girl was sold to Süleyman's Harem.
First she was Süleyman's favorite concubine. her influence on him was immense. not only he granted her freedom, but he also married her in the official ceremony (a completely unusual step, which broke 300 years of Ottoman tradition!)
Some historians say she was manipulative and power-hungry - she did everything possible to get rid off Süleyman’s first-born son, Mustafa (not her son). Do I blame her? I don’t. I wonder what would you do, knowing that your sons would be strangled (the ottoman tradition, to prevent power struggle) the day your husband passed away? I most likely would do the same :)
Some historians also believe that during her reign, she did all possible to control Crimean Tatar slave-raiding in her native land, including buying freedom to enslaved Slavs.
Whatever historians say, she is the cultural and historical icon. and for me personally, she is an inspiration in any difficult situation, as well as an example of female strength and wisdom.
(picture from wikipedia)
Flower Bazaar
by traveloturc
I know that you heard about big Bazaar,Egyptian Bazaar and Covered Bazaar etc etc
but if you are in Eminonu and if you are near the Yenicami (New Mosque)just in the back of Yenicami you will discover the flower bazaar .You can find almost all kind of flowers in pot and seeds for your plants .If you like garden and if you are gardener this is the right place to be .
Levent Shopping Mall
by H-TownJourneyman about Metrocity Shopping Mall
If you are looking for a modern shopping complex while in Istanbul, this is the place for you! Metrocity Shopping Mall is located in the business & financial district of Levent, an area not frequented by tourists as much as other parts of the city. The mall has over 150 retail stores, selling everything from clothes to electronics. There are also several restaurants located within the food court. The mall is illuminated naturally during the day by the transparent panels that serve as a roof, whic is actually quite nice.
Not a very touristy place to visit, this mall is more of a place for locals to do their shopping, just as in most major cities. But if you are missing that favorite mall from back where you are from, you might just feel right at home here!