TURKEY
Country Overview:
“Tasty treats, a tumultuous economy, and a love for street food”
I flew to Istanbul, Turkey from Sanya, China on Aug. 18, 2020. At the time, it was one of only several countries open to Americans that didn’t have any quarantine requirements. I spent close to 3 months exploring the city, learning the culture, and eating my way through this culinary paradise. I left in late October to fly to Serbia and although my time in Turkey was shorter than I would have liked, I will never forget the people, places, or food that made Turkey a must-see destination for any traveler.
Grand Bazaar - Istanbul
Pictures from in and around the Grand Bazaar, which is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops. In 2014, it was listed No.1 among the world's most-visited tourist attractions, with 91,250,000 annual visitors. The Grand Bazaar is often regarded as one of the first shopping malls in the world.
This place was massive, and although you could haggle, no one was aggressive or demanding when browsing. Had a great time here. Food picture is Turkish pide, which is a flatbread baked with toppings in a stone oven. Kind of like pizza, but without the sauce.
The Column of Constantine is a Roman monumental column built for the Roman emperor Constantine the Great to commemorate the dedication of Constantinople on 11 May 330 AD. Built around 328 AD, it is the oldest Constantinian monument in Istanbul. It occupies the second-highest hill of the seven hills of Constantine's Nova Roma.