Istanbul

Istanbul is a great city. No, there's no point in arguing. It's great. Whilst reading an extract from Orhan Pamuk's 'Istanbul', an autobiographical rather than geographical piece, I was transported back to the Shores of the Golden Horn, Eminonu in particular and had an epiphany of my own:

The sun is setting behind me. I glance back at the mainland. The imperious Ottoman minarets trace a mesmerising skyline. The mosques jostle with each other to catch the eye and beguile the mind. My attention returns to the shore as the restauranteur, for that is perhaps the most apt description for him, hands me a freshly made sardine sandwich. We exchange a glance and some devalued currency. As I garnish this freshest of fast-food with rock salt, the earth finally coaxes the sun from its celestial path and the muezzin calls the faithful to prayer.

Eminonu ©Tauseef Mehrali 2005