Today we took a train? or maybe an above ground metro? to Taksim Square, which is a popular place for locals to go. We had help from many Turkish people getting there because we clearly looked like lost, confused tourists. When we were on the subway, I guess you could call it ha, one of the locals overheard us trying to figure out which stop to go to and he explained that we had to get off at the next stop and switch trains in order to get to Kabatas (our stop to switch to the metro to get to the square). At first we were confused because the train clearly said that it lead to Kabatas, but when he lead us to the other side we realized that the train we were just on went backwards the way we came. Therefore, if we stayed on that train we would of headed straight back to our hotel! When we finally got to Kabatas we had to switch to an underground metro, but it was another 2 TL so we decided to walk up the steep slope up to the square. I really thought the stairs would never end, but when we finally reached the top locals were very friendly in pointing us in the direction of the square. I have found that most Turkish people are very friendly and helpful. Perhaps they also have a tradition of hospitality or Xenia. It wouldn't be surprising if they shared a lot of the values that the Greeks had that Homer depicted in the Iliad and the Odyssey. One of the most important things that we were warned about in coming to Turkey was to be respectful, which is part of being a good guest in a guest-friendship setting. A lot of the locals ask us how we like their country and find great pride in our kind-responses. Also, some have been to Texas before and say that we are very genuine and nice people and they seem to go out of their way to be kinder to us. So like when Menelaus or Nestor took care of Telemachus because his father was of great honor and would do the same for them, the Turkish people are very friendly to us because they expect the same.
Taksim Square could kind of be compared to Times Square in New York. It seemed like the central hub of Istanbul. Lots of cool spots to eat and shop! It seemed more modern and contemporary compared to Sultanhamet, where we were staying. There was a modern mall and western stores like Nike, Adidas, and Gap. However, there were a lot of clothing brand stores that I have never heard of and assumed might of been a Turkish or perhaps a middle eastern clothing line? It was refreshing to go to the more contemporary side of Istanbul, because we have been studying all the ancient buildings and we forget that Istanbul is actually very modern and fast becoming a fashion capital of the world (which i learned in America's Next Top Model). I think I overheard too that some students study business here in Istanbul and it is becoming a better industrial city.
Our first stop in Taksim Square was Bambi Burgers, which was a Turkish fast food chain. I had the Islek Hamburger, which was a buttered burger bun with melted cheese and lamb meat covered with a marina tomato sauce! It was delicious! I would choose it over McDonalds anyday. I also had a lamb wrapped in a pita type bread but pressed like a panini. Oddly they put french fries within the sandwich. One of my fellow classmates, David, pointed at a specific sandwich but later realized he accidentally order a cow tongue sandwich! You soon realize the difficulty of the language barrier when coming to a foreign country. I wonder if the Greeks and the Trojans had that problem. Or did they both speak Greek? And if not, then how did they communicate? What about the allies that the Trojans had? Could they speak the same language and that is why they were allies? The Greeks as we discussed had a common language which unified them even though they were a bunch of city states, but not a nation.
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