Istanbul - and Constantinople

Our latest adventure brought us from the far east to the middle east: to the ancient metropolis of Istanbul, Turkey. We were there to celebrate the wedding of our close friend, Burak, to his beautiful bride, Didem.

We flew in late Thursday afternoon and rested before a wonderful Friday with Burak and Didem showing us around some of Istanbul’s historic sites with our fellow friends from Edwardsville, Bob and Sue. We cannot thank Burak and Didem enough for taking the time to show us around so close to their wedding!

The mix of metropolitan Europe, Mediterranean traditions and Middle Eastern Asia were apparent at this crossroads of culture that straddles both Asia and Europe across the Bosphorus straight (Istanbul is the only city to sit on two continents). The enchanting calls to prayer echoed over the bustling streets of shoppers and café patrons sipping tea and thick Turkish coffee. The aroma of roasting lamb filled the air as ferries and cargo ships slipped smoothly across the clear blue Bosphorus waters in the late spring sun.

It was amazing to see the ancient sites of Constantinople, the former Christian capital of the East Roman Empire named for Emperor Constantine, and the beautiful mosques of the later (but still ancient) Islamic Ottoman Empire. We visited the museum of Hagia Sofia (Saint Sofia) which was once a church, then a mosque, and now a treasured historical landmark where the traditions of Christianity and Islam can be seen side be side.

We also visited the Blue Mosque before settling down for a few beers and Raki, the Turkish licorice liquor. We ended Friday with a wonderful dinner at Burak’s parent’s home where we were welcomed like family. I already miss Seyda’s cooking!

On Saturday we ventured into central Istanbul on our own this time, starting in Taksim Square and winding our way through cosmopolitan shopping streets to the ancient Galata tower which provides stunning views of the entire city. We continued our way down across the Galata Bridge and back up to the Grand Bazaar for a little more shopping.

Kate was in heaven winding her way through the narrow corridors of the grand bazaar with handcrafts and jewelry crammed wall to wall. While Adam was enthralled with the religious and political history of a city that has influenced both east and west for centuries.

On Sunday we explored the spice market which had all sorts of vegetables, spices, and animals for sale. We ventured around a bit more before heading up the Bosphorus to the beautiful Sait Halim Pasa Mansion that overlooks the waters of the Bosphorus and the hills of Asian Istanbul. We were greeted with red carpet treatment at a beautiful reception for the families and friends of the bride and groom. Here, Adam had the honor of being an official “witness” of the marriage and signing the marriage certificate.

Their religious ceremony had already taken place a week earlier, so the final ceremony was simply the “official” signing of the marriage certificate. However, it was far from simple. The official from the municipality arrived by ferry and was ushered into the mansion in a flurry of activity. There she donned her robes and reviewed the credentials of the marriage certificate and verified the identification of the witnesses. I am pretty sure it was the first time she cited a Pennsylvania driver’s license on a Turkish wedding certificate.

After she reviewed the documents, the “mayor” or “official” and the Bride and Groom lead a procession out to a gold-leaf table and chairs sitting on the water front. Adam and Didem’s uncle sat at the table to bear witness to the signing and give their consent with a loud “Evet!” (Turkish for YES). Thankfully, Burak’s brother, Mert, was there to translate so Adam knew what he was signing! Mert was such a great help for the whole event!

After the ceremony, there was a delicious dinner and dancing and even a cake cutting (of the biggest cake we’d ever seen). It was a wonderfully joyous occasion, and we are so happy for the newlyweds.

On Monday we ventured into the city one last time to stroll around a central park outside the Topkapi Palace of the Ottoman Sultans to see some of the beautiful roses that adorn Istanbul and soak up the last of Turkish culture and street markets before our long flight back to Singapore. It was a wonderful visit, and we look forward to seeing our Turkish friends again soon.

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