Exploring Taksim, Istanbul

I have a lot to discover still in Istanbul, but the closest area to me now is Taksim. A very interesting place that seems quite diverse in what it offers. With a huge shopping area that seems similar to the likes of Regent Street or Oxford Street, to the quieter, steep housing areas that twist and turn around the landscape. It seems Taksim sits at the top of a rather hilly area of Istanbul, with the sea not too far away if you don't mind lengthy walks in the heat, though mostly covered by the tall buildings and narrow roads that go throughout. I haven't seen a place quite like this before. A place filled with luxury shopping districts but surrounded by the struggles of a down economy. I removed myself from the busy area of Taksim Square and began walking with no destination in mind, moving outward and more away from the cars.

It was quieter, but motorbikes still weaved through these streets. In some, local markets occupied the roads as people attempted to sell various goods, surprisingly surrounded by all kinds of industrial goods shops that seemed like they'd been abandoned, more projects of a hoarder than a business. Various gadgets and items I can't even comprehend sat in their shop windows. Parts of machinery for vehicles, tools, and construction. To which there seems to be some. Much of Taksim seems dated. There are buildings left to decay, planks of dark wood rotting away show their true age. Some somehow still inhabited, others clearly left to crumble. It seemed as if what did get fixed and what didn't was more a result of a dice roll.

Under the sun I continued to walk, cafes and little shops were occupied by locals buying their groceries or sitting outside enjoying their little Turkish cups of tea. My nose was overwhelmed with the constant smell of tobacco, however. Every few steps would be a human chimney blowing away at a cigarette, taking the stress off the day. Cats around would lay curled up wherever seemed comfortable, in plant pots, in the shade, or still undecided as they roamed for food, to which locals would provide little bits of chicken and cat food for them outside their shops. Everyone, everything, seemed prepared to nap. I purchased a bottle of water for 6.50 Lira, about 19 pence from a tiny shop that could hold about three people at a time and began to circle back around.

The signs of economic struggle continued, but were met with the odd area that was a bit more tidier. Part of me likes to see the more gritty sides, the reality; the unfiltered truth as much as travel agencies and government marketing may upsell our nations to tourists. Armed with just my backpack, I aim to see more of it.

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