Shopping in Kadikoy

I was off to Kadikoy this week to look for art supplies.  I wasn't the only one out on the streets, this cute crocodile was also out.  I don't recall seeing him before, but he does look like he is part of an important marker in Kadikoy.

 One of the first bead shops I patronized in Istanbul is "bijuland".  They have all sorts of base metal beads and findings as well as beads made of glass, plastic, wood, stone, felt and crystal.  Lots of completed projects are displayed for inspiration.  Beads can be purchased individually or in small packages for seed beads.

 The metal beads come in all sorts of designs, some of which are Turkish designs and Istanbul landmark designs.

 bijuland's original shop is located at Nailbey Sokak No. 40, ...

 and their second shop is just up the same street at number 13.  It is best to stop in both shops to make sure you have seen everything possible.

 A new shop in Kadikoy is "More Than Soap", which has a nice selection of handmade soaps utilizing natural ingredients.  A key is available to help you determine which of the interesting scents meets your needs.  I went for the soap named "Turkish hamam", which is the Turkish bath.  It has a very clean scent.

On their website, www.morethansoap.com you can enter your age, sex and type of skin and receive a list of recommended products.  

 And I did make it to the art supply shop, "Guven Sanat" and found the correct paper for my art class.  They have a great selection of papers, canvases, paint, pastels and anything else artsy that you can think of.  www.guvensanat.com

Excursion to Eskisehir

During the recent Turkish holiday, we took an excursion to Eskisehir, a city about 200 miles southwest of Istanbul.  It was worth getting up early to see the sun rise over Kadikoy, 

where we took the train from Haydarpasa train station to Eskisehir.

Eskisehir was the construction point for the Berlin - Baghdad Railway beginning in 1894, with the locomotive business continuing to this day.  This plant was also commissioned to make the first cars of 100% Turkish parts and in 1961 made this first car.

In 1515, the Kursunlu complex was established, including a mosque, a school, a caravan saray (hotel).  Visitors traveling the silk road could stay for up to three days with no charge.  The caravan saray's were established one day travel from each other, or about 45 kilometers.

In the area, a soft white stone in dug from the earth and carved into intricate patterns.  Here are some pipes, which were in a shop, ...

 in the old fruit and vegetable market, which has now been restored and houses shops and restaurants.

Tourists visit Eskisehir to see the old restored Ottoman houses in the Odunpazari section of town.  The buildings are restored and painted bright colors along narrow cobble stone streets.

 The homes appear to be used primarily for residential purposes, ...

 although a few had items for sale and one was turned into a tea house.

 On the edge of the restored section, one unrestored building is standing.  Building construction seems to be wooden frame filled with cement and stucco on the outside.

 We stayed overnight in a boutique hotel which was formed from several restored houses.  We stayed in the blue house in the distance and it was charming.  Next door to our hotel is Turkey's only glass museum, but I will save that for another post.

 The Porsuk River runs through the center of Eskisehir and it has been made to look like a canal, with little walking bridges and canal boat rides.  Everything was so clean and well maintained in Eskisehir, I thought I was in a different country!

Turkish Ballet

Sureyya Opera House, located in Kadikoy, on the Asian side of Istanbul, is home to the Istanbul Opera and Ballet Company.  The building was originally completed in 1927 and underwent a major renovation in 2007.   It is located on a nice shopping street and on the path of the nostalgic tram which circles an area of Kadikoy.

The opera house was originally built by Sureyya Ilmen (1875-1955) and used as a movie theater until the recent renovation.  His bronze bust is located in the lobby.

The inside of the theater is richly decorated.  I have now been to three ballets.

Most recently, I saw the classical ballet "Don Quixote", which was so nicely performed, I will go see it again.  Four ballerinas rotate in the position of Kitri.  All of the dancers listed in the program have Turkish names, as do the performance management.

Earlier, I saw a performance of Othello, which was billed as a modern ballet.  No toes shoes or classical costumes, but lovely dancing.  In the last scene, a bathtub is on stage with real running water, in which, Desdemona is drowned.  Sorry if I spoiled the ending for anyone...

And the first ballet I saw, was Turkish choreography titled "Four Walls" performed to Mozart's Requiem.  The acoustics in the theater are very good and it is a great spot for a little entertainment.