Istanbul, city of a thousand rhythms...

There are many things that distinguish this city from its counterparts. Despite its over-crowdedness, traffic and mal-planning in the recent times, it has lost none of its beauty and liveliness. How could this be? Let's see...

There are many factors that keep this city alive, such as the fact that;

• it is a city fought over for thousands of years,
• it has been the capital city of many civilizations,
• it is one of the most geographically strategic points in the world (it is the conjunction of 2 seas and 2 continents),
• it still houses many minorities and is a city of cross-cultural experience,
• it is the home of a cultural heritage, among the richest in the world,

makes this city very special no doubt!

There aren't many cities in the world settled on a straight, let alone where 2 continents meet. It isn't just the geographical fact that draws the significance. Istanbul is a city where old and new, historical and modern, cultural and revolutional co-exist.

Istanbul is much more than a city of 7 hills full of mosques. And it certainly isn't arabic. It is a city with a vibe, a pulse. It is alive and growing. You have to adjust your own rhythm to keep step with its momentum.

How? Follow this:

"Good morning Golden Horn, nice to see you today, same to you Dolmabahçe Palace, Ortaköy, Galata and not to forget you Mr. Seagull." Is what I think when I ride the passenger boat in the morning to get to work. Among the city rush, and the long hours spent in the traffic of Istanbul, a seat on a passenger boat crossing the Bosphorus is a perfect spot to find peace and calm, travelling among the tides, seagulls hovering to catch some simit thrown towards them, and between the two shores that embrace the sea.

Would you like some tea? says the waiter on the boat, I reply, "A glass of tea would be nice thank you. Do you have any simit (local snack similar to pretzels)?"

This is a classic dialogue on the boat... a prologue to a half-hour meditation on my way to work. It is a break from the noise polution you would find in the other parts of the business districts. It is one of those moments the city slows its rhythm, as if it was singing a soothing melody, accompanying to a relaxing meditation.

Even if I'm late for work I enter the office with a smile on my face. :)

Save your money you will be spending it on many items presented to you in a theatrical atmosphere. You can buy rugs, lanterns, water-pipes (hookahs), backgammon sets, fancy tea sets and much more. All brought together with colour and joy. All sorts of music playing all around, livening up the place even more. Colours and melodies, what a musical, and what an experience!

Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Street) is a symbol of freedom, a symbol of the dynamics of life itself. Energized by the city, everyone on the street has somewhere to go, something to do, and something to say. Shopping, cinema, theatre, socializing, letting the steam off, its all in one place.

This street is busy 24 hours of the day, hosting one of main spots of Istanbul nightlife. Tunes call to you from every corner of the street, enchanting you into different musical experiences. All of which although different in taste are very difficult to describe. You would think to yourself "I've heard this melody before, but it's different I must listen to it again!"

Just walk on the street and listen to the vibes. You will get carried away with the experience. Every kind of music from folk, pop, rock, to gypsy tunes are present to create the thousand rhythms of Istanbul.

Listen to this album from the documentary Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul directed by Fatih Akin.

All so diverse but of the same origin, these tunes come together to establish this city's language, a language that you don't need to learn by taking many hours of lessons. If you are already there, then you already know it.

This city is a symphony composed for a thousand different instruments. A living concert experienced through the streets, with its beat and vibe. It draws you in and its very difficult to free yourself once you are bonded to this rhythm. It creates a tune that carries you away. All you have to do is go with the flow by adding your own tune to this mass symphony, just to make it richer. But be careful not to miss a beat or the flow will carry you away...