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The Drifter Journals

Shot of Scott: Fresh "Simit" on The Galata Bridge - Istanbul, Turkey

3/15/2013

26 Comments

 
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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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Scott has been roaming the globe for more than 20 years.  He was born and raised in Wisconsin, raised some more in Hawaii, and now this global nomad has found himself in a nomad's land--Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.  



"Shot of Scott" is a new Drifters Blog segment where Scott Muehlbauer, a personal friend of mine and fellow globe drifter, shares with us a photo or video clip from his many travels around the world.  

If you enjoyed this segment and would like to receive more detailed background information on this and other posts, please SUBSCRIBE now and stay tuned for more!

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Related Posts:

  • Chat With an Expat - TalkTalking English with a Mug of Mare's Milk in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia 
  • How to Survive a Bus Ride in Nicaragua by Estefanía García Mendoza 
  • International Cuisine For The "Traveler at Heart" By Michelle Bolosan
  • Drifter's Thoughts : Daily Necessities in Asia by Jon Gedge
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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!

Reply
JR@TheDriftersBlog link
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!

Reply
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.

JR Riel link
3/19/2013 08:09:55 pm

Yes, cuz, you're right...it's been awhile since the last Days Go By...sorry. Hehe

Ash
3/16/2013 11:54:38 am

Nicely done! Concise, descriptive, great imagery, and I can smell the bread, and the fish!...
I would love to go to that country someday.I have often thought that Scott could have made several travel books by now, you have some great photos over the years, and I am all for point and shoot...keeps the authenticity of the moment alive.

Reply
JR Riel link
3/19/2013 08:09:06 pm

I know what you mean Ash, Scott is a wealth of untold travel tales, I count it a privilege to have him contributing to the Drifters Blog. Hopefully, this will give him a kick to get his own blog started soon!

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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. =)

Reply
JR Riel link
3/19/2013 08:10:42 pm

I could go for some fresh malasadas right now!

Reply
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. =)

JR Riel link
3/28/2013 09:21:11 am

Alright, it's a plan!

Dana Carmel @ Time Travel Plans link
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!

Reply
JR Riel link
3/19/2013 08:13:17 pm

I love when you find a place you can see yourself going back to over and over again. There must be something special about the place!

Reply
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

Reply
JR Riel link
3/19/2013 08:14:25 pm

Thanks, bro, for keeping it PC. ;-) Yeah, I can't wait for our next reunion. Since this year isn't gonna work out, let's shoot for 2014?

Reply
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!

Reply
JR Riel link
3/19/2013 08:16:03 pm

Yeah, I think you gotta be a little adventurous when it comes to trying new food out. Have standards for yourself, of course, but still be a willing to push the boundaries every once in a while, especially when traveling!

Reply
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.

Reply
lara dunston link
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.

Reply
JR Riel link
3/23/2013 03:18:22 am

There's something to be said about taking in a place slowly and getting to know the pulse of a city. I agree, it's great to step back and observe the surroundings to get a feel of what the REAL vibe a place is!

Reply
Christine Kaaloa |GRRRLTRAVELEr link
3/27/2013 10:59:35 am

Istanbul is on my list of places to visit!

That's such a curious photo. Any reason why he kneels down vs removes the tray? Seems like it would be less effort for him and might also help him fend off hungry seagulls. Just a thought.

Reply
JR Riel link
3/28/2013 09:20:11 am

Christine, I thought the same thing! Why is he kneeling? Especially when the guy grabbing the bread is tall enough? Doesn't it make more sense to carry it on a tray, or a pushcart? Maybe it's all about the dramatic presentation.

Reply
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...

Reply
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...

Reply
Scott
4/2/2013 09:26:58 pm

Thanks Aunty! It would be so great to travel with you and Uncle someday!

Reply



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