A couple of years ago a friend and I attended a weekend photography workshop in NYC hosted by National Geographic. One of the photographers that also organized the weekend occasionally sends info on week long trips overseas where you get to spend time in a great locale while learning how to take better photographs. When the email came for the trip to Istanbul it was just too tempting to pass up.
The first week sold out while I was still trying to decide if the dates would work for me. When a second week was added I signed up immediately in case it too filled up while I sat indecisive on my duff. Turns out, a woman I met on the weekend trip was also attending. Plane reservations were made and dates put into the calendar.
Istanbul has always fascinated me. I've had several friends tell me it was one of their favorite destinations which meant a lot since they were well traveled. The city sits on top of the Europe Asia border which makes for a unique culture. While predominately Muslim, this country has made a conscience effort to be secular since the early 20th century. The traditional Muslim dress is not the norm. Turkey reinvented itself as a modern country beholding to no religion.
Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, was once the center of Greek culture and is still the home of the head of the Greek Orthodox Church. However, when modern Turkey came into existence, Christians were sent to Greece even though most had only called Turkey home their entire life. Similarly, Greece relocated their Muslims to Turkey. The two countries have had strained relations over land disputes although they have found a way to live in peace for many years.
In preparation for the trip, I picked up "Birds without Wings" by Louis de Bernieres which described the birth of modern Turkey with all the labor pains one might expect when lifetime residents are uprooted simply because of their religious affiliations. It's a wonderful book and I would suggest anyone planning a visit to Turkey read it to help explain how the modern country came to be.
I somehow find myself slightly disorganized for this trip although I'm sure it will come together before I step foot on the plane. The next few days will be hectic, but I'm very much looking forward to visiting this modern Muslim country with warm, welcoming citizens and photography wonders waiting to be captured.
The first week sold out while I was still trying to decide if the dates would work for me. When a second week was added I signed up immediately in case it too filled up while I sat indecisive on my duff. Turns out, a woman I met on the weekend trip was also attending. Plane reservations were made and dates put into the calendar.
Istanbul has always fascinated me. I've had several friends tell me it was one of their favorite destinations which meant a lot since they were well traveled. The city sits on top of the Europe Asia border which makes for a unique culture. While predominately Muslim, this country has made a conscience effort to be secular since the early 20th century. The traditional Muslim dress is not the norm. Turkey reinvented itself as a modern country beholding to no religion.
Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, was once the center of Greek culture and is still the home of the head of the Greek Orthodox Church. However, when modern Turkey came into existence, Christians were sent to Greece even though most had only called Turkey home their entire life. Similarly, Greece relocated their Muslims to Turkey. The two countries have had strained relations over land disputes although they have found a way to live in peace for many years.
In preparation for the trip, I picked up "Birds without Wings" by Louis de Bernieres which described the birth of modern Turkey with all the labor pains one might expect when lifetime residents are uprooted simply because of their religious affiliations. It's a wonderful book and I would suggest anyone planning a visit to Turkey read it to help explain how the modern country came to be.
I somehow find myself slightly disorganized for this trip although I'm sure it will come together before I step foot on the plane. The next few days will be hectic, but I'm very much looking forward to visiting this modern Muslim country with warm, welcoming citizens and photography wonders waiting to be captured.
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