A few Istanbul snapshots I would like to share:
Other:
In Istanbul, the transportation network can be accessed with the Istanbul Card, an NFC card similar to London's oyster card, HongKong's Octopus card, and Tokyo Metro's Pasmo, The ferries connecting both sides of the bosporus are treated as regular public transportation, including the fares.
Atatuerk, who the Istanbul International airport is named after, was the founder of modern Turkey. His picture is on every single Turkish lira bill and he is a worshipped national hero.
In the metro line M1, a connection between Beyogli and Karakoy is advertised, even if it is still in construction (as of 2013/03).
Travelling between both sides of Istanbul gets harder after 11pm, as all ferries suspending service by then. It is not possible to cross the bosporus by foot. Both bridges are for vehicles only.
My name, "ben", means "I" in Turkish.
A tree that sticks through a wall, where someone drew the body of a deer (?) to make it look artistic. Awesome.
Apparently, the Turkish police employs drastic measures in order to retain order on the streets.
As in most countries, McDonalds has a burger that is only available in the region. In Turkey, it is the McTurco. Sadly, there is no regional specialty burger in Germany. How about the sausage burger?
Backgammon, THE game in Turkey and in the Middle East. It is a game that is easy to learn, but only hard to master.
While having a match of Backgammon, most Turkish people enjoy smoking the Nargile, or water pipe. Or is it the other way around?
The vending machine where tickets for public transportation can be obtained are called Jeton. Doesn't this sound a bit French to my ears?
Istanbul has many Coffee Shops. Some of them are well known such as Starbucks, others are less famous. This one definitely has a charming appearance: Cafe Kafka.
The national pride of the Turkish is the Efes beer, a very light Pilsen type.
Schnitzel :)
Beside the regular Metro, the Tram and the Funicular another means of transportation in Istanbul is the Metro-Bues. It is also the only public transportation vehicle that crosses the Bosporus (except for the ferries, of course) and runs until 4 or so in the morning.
Turkish Airlines is the only airline so far, where I saw possibilities to connect via USB and LAN plugs.
The Raki (pronounced Rake) is a Turkish speciality. It basically is a high percentage alcoholic drink that has a strong anis flavour. When drinking a good version, it tastes very sweet.
Cats and dogs are everywhere in Istanbul. Here is one dog just sleeping in the middle of a street.
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