On a Dime

by Haven Skye (Malaysia)

A leap into the unknown Turkey

Never had I known that my trip to Istanbul with a group of foreign diplomats stationed in Bulgaria could have possibly transformed my life into something quite different than I now know it. It was the middle of summer and our group decided to venture out to the Grand Bazaar. For those of you who have not yet had the opportunity to visit, the name Grand does not do it justice. Grand on another level, think Steroids. This market comprises 45,000 square meters with 20,000 people working inside! The daily number of visitors can vary between 300,000 to 500,000, and is the largest in Istanbul with over 3,600 shops that are spread out of 64 streets, with over 22 doors to access the market. Good luck on finding your way out! No maps included. Its origins began in 1455 when Mehmed II built the old bazaar near his palace - Eski Bedesten - and as local artisans joined forces and networked nearby, the buildings grew in number and in time the entire complex was walled in. The end result is what we have today, a massive amazing mega-structure of pure adventure. It’s a mishmash of everything under the sun and then some. The sights and sounds and smells will hit you like a high speed Tokyo bullet train and will overwhelm your virgin senses in a way that they have never been violated before. Sensory overload to the extreme. Visually when you look right, left and center - you will see a mass array of Turkish coffee sets, copperware, carpets and kilims, to evil eyes, Turkish handicrafts, Turkish delight and kebabs. If going with others, make sure to stay close, because wander off, and there is no lost and found department. Remember, the minute you touch anything in a shop the business owner will try to close on the sale. Hands off unless you want to buy. Also remember your haggling skills and use them extensively. As our group meandered through the bazaar, a Turkish man grabbed my arm and would not let go. I called to the group about 10 feet away for help. As the men in my group came close I explained that this Turkish guy named Abi would not let go of me. Abi explained in his broken English that he wanted to buy me for 32 camels. As if I was for sale! Absurd! My head started spinning, thinking how my life could change on a dime and even more so what my life with Abi would look like. Help! Was I about to become a new employee in his kilim shop? And what about 32 camels? Wow, is that all I was worth?; how much is a camel worth anyways? I had no idea, but my thoughts were out of control and I was wondering what the hell I was doing here being openly sold in the market to the highest bidder. I pleaded for Abi to release his grip. The foreign diplomats exercised their strength yanking me in the opposite direction, saying, ‘She’s not for sale!.’ Turkish Abi was not going to take no for an answer, and replied, ‘Ok ok 33 camels!,’ and yanked me back towards him. This was getting ridiculous. How could this be happening? My eyes were pleading to my group to get me out of here. Who knew that I would be the human rope, or human kebab stick in this tug-o-war between being a Turkish bride living my days with the stray cats wandering the bazaar to my freedom with my compatriots. Finally one more yank later and I stumbled into the arms of one of my people - who once again reiterated ‘No way buddy, she’s not for sale for any amount of camels!.’ I thanked them immensely for saving my life. My experience of the Grand Bazaar was a true whirlwind that had me spinning for days. I definitely got more than I bargained for, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing. It truly was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I can laugh about now, but will never forget. My two cents, when in Istanbul definitely experience the Grand Bazaar and all its intensity for yourself!