The 2 Sides of the Turkish Lira
Story and photos by Maimuna Fardous. Top photo by Marta Charncherngkha.
Edited by Mia Madonna
On the cobblestone pavement are stranded cats with their paws slowly dragging, ready to find a small corner to rest. The cats might’ve had a long day of pondering through the streets of Istanbul, but not the people. Flashes of warm orange and sunny yellow lights throughout the streets hide that it's almost midnight. Glasses clinking, laughs shared by groups of friends, diners signaling to come to their restaurant, and shops with intricately patterned furniture on display, keep Istanbul awake. Sleep is not a thought swept across the city, instead, people roaming through the bumpy streets, with smells of shawarma and Turkish delights flying through the air, and stained glass lamps with abstract shapes and vibrant colors to be purchased for home, make the city life of Istanbul vibrant, in Europe that is.
One half of Istanbul is separated by teal waters, seagulls flocking in the sky, and extravagant Ottoman architecture with pale blue domes and minarets that can be seen from miles away. Turkish flags raised high above the poles.
The Asian side of Istanbul is quite the opposite. Loud noise from people is replaced by the noise of cars vrooming through the roads. The streets are empty, so there is no need to push through your way to a place with only a few tourist shops on the block, and small cafes. Cafes serve traditional Turkish coffee using cezve pots. A small shiny, copper cup with a long handle, that is moved in circles onto a light chocolate brown powder. Although it’s tiny, the magic it holds to brew makes for a hot, bubbly, rich coffee smell that provides warmth and comfort. Features that can’t be replicated from a machine.
Out of the row of shops on the block, a tiny cafe where most people end up having to stand inside, works an elderly man, with a grin from ear to ear, and eagerness jumping out of his body. Just to make coffee out of request. You can’t help but smile with him, while also respecting the passion that people have for their country’s culture.
“You can’t help but smile with him, while also respecting the passion that people have for their country’s culture.”
Whether you want a lively place to explore or a quiet place to get away from the noise, Istanbul’s unique geography of being in Eurasia has both to offer. On the European side of Istanbul, a Lira can get you a sleepless night of glasses clinking, food bursting with flavor, where each slice hits your tongue, and music filled with drums and beats humming in your ear. On Asia’s side, a Lira can give you a getaway from city life, and a calm and breezy walk through nature with local small businesses to stop by and grab a quick treat. Türkiye caters to the different lifestyles of people all over the world.