Call to Prayer

Country No 9

 

Jen Cyclıng down a rainy Bosphorous inlet into Istanbul

 

Ah Turkey land of abundant food. Though the paradox being that we have arrived during Ramadan when the majority of the population is fasting during the day. Cycling and fasting not being a good combination we have had to be a bit inventive with our snacking but its been well worth it for the break of fast feasting at the end of the day.

After a bit of climbing we sped down the Strandzer mountains at the Bulgaria Turkey border and in the first Turkish border town were greeted with the sight of a bloke whizzing past on a bike with a plate of flat breads on his head. As the sun set the violet night rang with the call to prayer and a frenetic energy shook the populace out of their tea shops and hidey holes into a communal feasting at roadside stalls and restaurants. Yum.

The Turkish are a joyous, playful and superhospitable people. Smiles and endless free cups of tea for strange cyclists are the norm. The East has well and truly landed and it is a good place.

We are now in Istanbul holding our breath for news of our Iranian visa application at the consulate. But Istanbul is a magnificent place to hold your breath (and then stuff your face at sunset) Sina a top Turkish couch surfer put us up for a night and we’re now hotel hoppin and driftin round the bazaars and minarets sipping sweet tea and eating baklava (cake) Mmm. Note to self . This is a bike and not a food blog. However food equals bike engine. Viva food.

j n j

Stop press news. Visa granted. Off to Iran ( after a teeny bit of cycling)

The Blue Mosque- breakfast vıew

 

Aya Sofya Mosaic