Istanbul
Constantinople
The Ottoman Empire
Sultans and Harems
These are words that set an adventurers’ heart a flutter.
They evoke thoughts of the exotic, mystery, licentiousness, and danger.
I had always wanted to travel to the East.
Istanbul seemed like a place so different than what I was accustomed to.
Mosques, the Call to Prayer, Veils, Turkish coffee, and Hookah dens.
Istanbul was amazing, but once was enough.
Why, you ask? I felt like everyone was just trying to scam me. So many touts pushing their “best restaurant/bar/tour/carpet shop in Istanbul” that you start wanting to hide in your hotel room.
I thought I had grown used to touts, but Istanbul took it to a new level.
There are other parts on Turkey that seem fascinating and I would love to go, but I am checking Istanbul off of the list.
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