Turkey's exotic call: Eurasian flavorings influence culture mix - by Anne Chalfan
The Grand Bazaar boggles the eyes, the ears and the mind, with more than 4,000 shops spread over 61 streets under one roof. It's fascinating and confounding, with pulsating colors and beckoning vendors. Please, have a cup of tea and see our rugs. Lady, you like that purse? I make a good price for you. The Rimskys, who had experienced Grand Bazaar madness on a previous trip, did a little strategic planning prior to this trip and hired the services of the Screaming Shopper, aka Marilyn Hill Henderson. Henderson is a British ex-pat who promises to demystify shopping in Istanbul.
The Rimskys walked into the hotel, grinning and dripping with sweat. Mission accomplished: They had bought three fabulous rugs that were being shipped to their home. And Mary Lou was adorned with a few baubles -- a fabulous gold necklace and earrings. Joe sported a new Izod shirt, with three more tucked in a bag.Turkish people are very friendly and work hard to speak English. Turkey is 99 percent Muslim today, but the nation remains secular, and Turkey is desperate to remain moderate in its quest to join the European Union. Istanbul, despite its milling 16 million, is a fun city with a plummy locale occupying both Europe and Asia. Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus, the inlet that divides the two continents.