I had been in Turkey long ago as a budding youth. There were memories. Istanbul had changed but not much. The places were largely unchanged, everything was in its place, very recognizably so. The Taksim was the same, its surrounding was very much in tact. The Istiqlal Jaddesi still entertained, one could reach the familiar Galata Sarai and Karakoy. Cross the bridge over Helij and Ueni Cami, Misir Pazar, Sirkeci and Eminonu were the same hustly and bustly.
I will resist the lure of Sultan Ahmet and Agya Sufia and turn right on Fevzi Pasa Caddesi. Darussafaka Lisesi next to the Fatih Cami where I had started it long ago. The buildings were intact, but they had been acquired by a bank.
Everything in this area felt like homecoming, for a while.
The traveller at the restaurant on top of Galata Tower.
Darussfaka Lisesi in Carsamba, Fatih.
Yeni Cami (New Mosque) is over 500 years old and is an unmistakeable landmark at the Helic near Misr Pazari, Eminonu, and Sirkegi area.
A jem nearby is Yarebatan Cistern (a water reservoir for the City) which many tourists miss!
Here the traveller rests on the Travertines, the Salt Mountains of Pamukkale, Turkey.
The town of Pamukkale with Travertines.
The neighboring town, KaraHyet with its hot springs, about 8 km from Pamukkale, Turkey.
