You may remember Scott Muehlbauer from "Chat With an Expat" a couple months ago. Well, now he has his own Drifters Blog column called "Shot of Scott" where he shares with us a photo or video clip from his many travels around the world! In the first installment of this series, Scott takes us on a walk across Galata Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey. The Galata Bridge links the historic old city of Sultanahmet with Galata and Beyoğlu--two districts of Istanbul known for their restaurants and nightlife. I was interested in seeing these areas and sampling some of the fantastic Turkish food. I crossed the Galata Bridge at sunset, trying to take in everything around me. Large domed mosques with their towering minarets were suddenly illuminated. And the sides of the bridge were lined with people trying to catch fish. The chilly February air was filled with the smell of bait that dozens of fishermen and women were hoping would be replaced with buckets of fresh fish. I passed two middle-aged women with brightly colored scarves covering their heads. Their rosy cheeks and bright smiles caught my attention as they giggled and chatted away. I saw a proud father helping his son unhook his small catch into a bucket, and another lone fisherman guarding twelve fishing poles staring down at the cold waters of the Golden Horn below. Seagulls hovered and screeched just overhead. And then I heard behind me, someone calling out: "Taze Simit! Taze Simit!" It was a street merchant advertising that his 'simit' was fresh. Simit is a delicious circular bread with sesame seeds that is very common in Turkey and other parts of this region. Here was a vendor who hit my weak spot...FOOD, genuine delicious FOOD! When it comes to food and me getting some in my belly, there is NO language barrier! (Well, at least not when it's right in front of me.) He didn't even have to ask, I was like a hungry fish at the surface waiting to take the bait: "Taze Simit!" Even though I'm tall and could have easily grabbed one myself, the man kindly lowered himself and his perfectly stacked tray so that I could choose my own golden brown simit. Turkey is well-known for it's incredible food--a fusion of Central Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines; and Turkey has in turn had a strong influence on the cuisines of neighboring countries. It would take years to sample all that this country has to offer in the way of specialty dishes from different regions. Contributing Blogger: Scott Muehlbauer
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26 Comments
Suzy
3/14/2013 03:29:38 am
You know, Scott, for someone who won't admit how talented they are, this is pretty good! You are more than just a "point and shoot" photographer, it's about finding the interestingness in the shot and the composition. Well done!
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3/14/2013 04:37:25 am
Yes, Suzy, that's exactly the point. Recently, too many blogs have been plastering 20 hi-res photos and hitting publish without any thought to the actual story behind the shot. I'm trying to take travel blogging back to old school, where quality content is king! Besides, who says "point & shoot" can't get you great shots? "Shot of Scott" is out to prove them wrong!
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Kalei
3/18/2013 02:28:20 pm
Hey! Aren't you slackin' on your "Days go By" segment. ;-P Your last one was in January! =) Just being a pest.
Ash
3/16/2013 11:54:38 am
Nicely done! Concise, descriptive, great imagery, and I can smell the bread, and the fish!...
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Kalei
3/17/2013 11:28:11 am
I LOVE how every culture has their own version of the doughnut or maybe in this case a bagel. Now I want a Komoda's doughnut stick. =)
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Kalei
3/24/2013 04:28:59 am
Don't worry, Zippy's is close to the airport. We can stop by after we pick you up. =) 3/18/2013 01:26:31 am
When I was in Istanbul, I didn't get a chance to walk across the Galata Bridge. I guess I'll have to do it whenever I go back as Turkey is a country I can see myself going back to again and again!
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Scott
4/2/2013 09:17:12 pm
Dana, I know there is SO much to see and do in Istanbul it's hard to do it all. And I agree...Turkey is a country I would really love to go back to again!
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pete munro
3/18/2013 10:08:27 am
sweet scotty that was happy days.everyone above has covered what i liked..i was gonna tease little ash but as its a public forum i shall wait til I'm on Facebook..well done bro..i wanna do one on our reunion
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Estefanía García
3/19/2013 03:55:00 am
Good job Scott! i loved it when u said "When it comes to food and me getting some in my belly, there is NO language barrier!" I absolutely understand that a 100% even when they speak the same language as you! like for example when I was in Nicaragua I caught a delicious smell when I was walking around an artist market, it turned out to be BAHO which is gross looking but surprisingly delicious, (and I'm not a fan of nicaraguan food) anyways I ate it all while my roomies looked at my like if I was some kind of idiot for eating something that could make me sick....I loved it tho! I guess one of the best ways to explore a place is thru its food!
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Estefania García
3/20/2013 05:39:42 am
I guess my standards are: if it smells good...it must taste good... Never look at the way food looks. But yeah it must look clean and safe... Oh and blood free hahha
Scott
4/2/2013 09:21:06 pm
Thanks EsefanÍa! It's great to try different foods! Sometimes, I'm not as adventurous as I'd like to be...play it on the side of clean and safe. I've had a few times when I had food poisoning, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve now.
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3/22/2013 05:18:15 pm
Istanbul is one of my favourite cities in the world and I love the Galata Bridge. I can happily spend a couple of hours leaning on the rail with the fishermen, watching them haul in the anchovies during season, and watching Istanbul go by. The post brought it all back.
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3/27/2013 10:59:35 am
Istanbul is on my list of places to visit!
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Scott
4/2/2013 09:24:46 pm
Christine, I think you would love Istanbul and Turkey! The wooden thing he has folds out to be able to set his tray on...so maybe if he had several customers he would use it...but for just an individual at a time, it's easier for him to just kneel like that...
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Molokai Mom
4/1/2013 02:20:03 pm
This blog is making my mouth water.....sounds so yummy! Uncle Pastor and I would love to travel with you one day. Food is my weakness, too. :) I know we would never starve while on the road with you. Yes, you're right.....that really was kind of that vendor! Its nice to know that there are still people like that in the world...
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Scott
4/2/2013 09:26:58 pm
Thanks Aunty! It would be so great to travel with you and Uncle someday!
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SUBSCRIBEABOUT MEI'm JR. I come from a long line of adventurers, some were nomadic explorers of the sea and others wandering cultivators of the earth. Ultimately, this legacy of drifters has deeply affected my view of travel. Read more...
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