More than a year or more so ago, I was fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the Top 3 Finalists in a reality TV show called “Sell Hard Western Cape” The search for Cape Town’s Best Sales Person.
The 3 Top Finalists: Luanna Shonfeld, host George Morales, Jacqui Cooks & Danfred Afrika
One of the final challenges was to go to Istanbul, the Mecca of all salesmen and learn all about Faselis. Faselis is a PR software that is coming to South Africa and the winner of the show would be the Sales Director of the South African franchise.
Me standing outside of Faselis Turkeys office
I have experienced Istanbul once before, my 19-year-old self had backpacked with a tour group. This time, it was different, as an adult, I was blessed to stay in luxurious hotels, from the Gloria Hotel in Doha, Qatar where we had a layover as well as the stunning Radisson Blu Hotel and Cartoon Hotel off of the ever popular Taksim Square.
I digress, what I really want to share with you is not the TV show but the sights, the sounds, the tastes of this Incredible city Istanbul.
See Istanbul through my eyes:
Top 3 Finalists with Host George Morales & Judge Tracy Mcgregor
Fresh Honey for Breakfast at the Cartoon Hotel
The Grand entrance in the park heading towards Aya Sofia Mosque
Entrance to Aya Sofia Mosque
Me in front of the Gloria Hotel Lexington in Doha, Qatar
View of the Blue Mosque
Im not sure if I was checking the view from the Asian side of Istanbul looking towards the European side? Or the other way round?
One of the most unusual, yet unique facts about Istanbul is that it is spread over two continents; Asia and Europe.
Me standing outside the Blue Mosque – I wasn’t allowed in because my knees were not covered. Not appropriate attire for a woman to enter this Holy Place.
Aya Sofia Mosque
Old Fresco in Hagia Sophia, Istanbul – {Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paukrus/7791349838 }
Inside Aya Sofia {Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/adam_jones/5723085150 }
Aya Sofia also known as Hagia Sofia, the name meaning “The Church of Holy Wisdom” in days gone by the Christians too had inhabited this beautiful building which is a museum today.
Now I’m not so sure who came first, but according to Wikipedia the Christians built this as a cathedral in 537 AD, back when Turkey was still called Constantinople. Later when Constantinople was invaded by the Ottoman Turks in 1453 it was converted into a Mosque.
Taksim Square, Istanbul {photo credit: NationalTurk.com}
Inside the Grand Bazaar – Shoppers Paradise {photo credit alarmy.com}
Hookahs or Hubblys as we South African’s call them {photo credit: Alarmy.com}
My absolute favourite eats in Istanbul were Turkish Delight and the Turkish Coffee! Both come in a zillion different flavours and you can buy them by the pound (or Kilo for those of us using metric).
Turkish Delight in every flavour imaginable! {photo credit: http://i.imgur.com/qAiEasw.jpg}
Yes I DID buy tons of Turkish Delight, yes it’s true not all it made it home with me 😉
Other than that I did manage to purchase this beautiful tapas dish set, which reminds me fondly of my trip to Istanbul every time I use it.
My gorgeous hand painted ceramic tapas set that I bought at The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
A few obligatory must buy fridge magnets (you know the hand luggage gifts for moms and sisters)
I can with absolute confidence say that Istanbul is one of the most amazing cities in the world. The diversity in culture, religion, foods, sights and sounds makes for an exciting adventure. oh and by the way, a little tip before you go, the Turks are super friendly but also don’t take no for an answer. So when shopping, be prepared to haggle for the price you want, trust me they are expecting it.
As they say in Turkey, ‘Teşekkür ederim‘ (Thank you very much) for stopping by my blog today.
Me guess where I am?
Many thanks once again to Sell Hard Western Cape for this amazing opportunity and to my wonderful new friends and hosts Asli Astari, Baler EskiBatman and Aydin Sün (CEO of Faselis)
Our wonderful hosts during my time in Turkey: Asli Astari, Baler Eskibatman and Aydin Sun (CEO of Faselis Turkey)
Psssssssssssst! Here’s a video from my VLOG of that Episode of Sell Hard that was taped in Istanbul.
#WishYouWereHere
Jax
