The largest city in Europe is - yes, Istanbul. And it is the only metropoly in the world that is situated on two continents, Europe and Asia, split in half by the Bosphorus Strait. It has even served as the capital of the Roman Empire.
With its population of 14 milion people the city will not need a festival to fill up the streets. It is a melting pot of cultures and religions and a very exiting place to be. I had this mixed feeling between relaxation and uneasiness. Even with hundreds of policemen patroling the city (by car) I allways had that little knot in my stumack and I normally don´t feel that way. Maybe it´s because I felt like an ant, one among milions, unsignificant and vulnerable.
Cars, trolleys and people all interact like a giant living being, you will have to pay attention to your surroundings to stay out of trouble, and the noise level is off the chart.
A multitude of ferries constantly moves people between the European and Asian part of the city.
And with the citys vast amount of inhabitants you will not encounter a lonely fisherman, but hundreds at a time. How they keep the fishing lines from tangling up is a mystery. Or maybe that´s what they do, meet to tangle their lines. Whatever - they did catch fish, lots of it.
And it would be a crime not to visit one of the hundreds of fish restaurants. Istanbul is something out of the ordinary, that´s for certain - worth a trip.
