What to do in Istanbul with 10 Liras:
by Efsa Aktay
We all live in such a hurry. Going from one place to another from school to tutors to sports practices we have no time but to get caught up with the wind of the “Big City”. However, take a second and distance yourself from your busy self. Imagine that you are a tourist a broke one I might say and you have 10 liras to experience the city for the day.Firstly, jump out of your car. Well.. not literally. Let’s say that your mother needs the driver for the day. First stop, a place that is not extremely special but pleasing to the eye, is the colourful stairs of Kadıköy. I do not know who painted these or why but I will not inquire and break its spell of unknowingness. Take a picture here or maybe don’t, just enjoy being on these colourful steps for a second.
As we started from Kadıköy you can now take the said ferry and go to Eminönü. My favourite transportation in Istanbul is the ferry especially in the morning with the smell of the sea ,the squawks of the seagulls and just peace brought by the breeze that dances through your hair. In Eminönü you can stop to eat a fish sandwich. Even though knowing the fish in these “balık ekmek” are not fresh from the sea but from a freezer breaks my heart. However, all we can do is appreciate the atmosphere and the experience.
Since fish was 6 liras and the ferry was 2, we have left 2 liras. We might as well walk and see the Galata Tower. Rumor says that the person you climb that tower is forever sealed as your soulmate. Walking around the Tower exploring, finding an old bookstore or a record seller. Knowing that some of the books in that store are even older than you creates a sense that is unexplainable.
For your last 2 liras I would probably take the ferry back to Kadıköy and watch the sunset during the ride. The whole point of this money restricted journey is to realize that we do not experience the city truly and that we are just passengers passing through its streets. Maybe next time you take a walk, you’ll appreciate the city that made many people fall in love with her. As I’ve come to the conclusion of my writing, I think it’s time for you to call you driver and end this journey here. Until next time, goodbye.