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New Life And A New Look

05.04.2014 13:00

If you were to ask me how life in Istanbul is, I would say it is rather “glossy.”Over the years, I have observed Turkey's desire to be more Western develop as it has progressed from providing a very less-than-basic lifestyle for the average Turk and many dilapidated and marginalized neighborhoods have been converted into impressive (sometimes flashy) retail and residential districts, usually while pushing out the less advantaged.These shopping centers certainly give a boost to tourism, as they attract Arabs and Russians who come for shopping sprees. I am reminded of my travels in the Soviet Union in the 1980s, but instead of seeing the tall cement walls built along the Soviet main roads from the airport to the hotel, in Istanbul you have impressive skyscrapers and shopping centers to admire. Either way, the “gloss” prevents you from seeing how many of the locals really live in the neighborhoods beyond.Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan envisions Istanbul as a global hub and world fina

If you were to ask me how life in Istanbul is, I would say it is rather “glossy.”
Over the years, I have observed Turkey's desire to be more Western develop as it has progressed from providing a very less-than-basic lifestyle for the average Turk and many dilapidated and marginalized neighborhoods have been converted into impressive (sometimes flashy) retail and residential districts, usually while pushing out the less advantaged.

These shopping centers certainly give a boost to tourism, as they attract Arabs and Russians who come for shopping sprees. I am reminded of my travels in the Soviet Union in the 1980s, but instead of seeing the tall cement walls built along the Soviet main roads from the airport to the hotel, in Istanbul you have impressive skyscrapers and shopping centers to admire. Either way, the “gloss” prevents you from seeing how many of the locals really live in the neighborhoods beyond.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan envisions Istanbul as a global hub and world financial center. Erdoğan also has the intention to build the world's largest airport in Istanbul. For the time being though, this project is on hold since the Istanbul 4th Administrative Court has ordered the suspension of the construction of the city's third airport. The decision came after an environmental organization filed a lawsuit asking for the annulment of the Council of State's environmental impact report (ÇED). Erdoğan believes the construction of the airport and the business it will bring will put Turkey among the strong economies of the world. Perhaps the promise of extra landscaping and more flowers would help get the ball rolling again.

In the meantime lots of landscaping and reconstruction are being used to bring about a new look, which some would describe as a bit OTT (over the top). In my piece “Turkey: grand and glossy” (Feb. 20, 2014), I suggested that the word “glossy” could have been used about one or two sultans of the past who seemed extravagant to some on-lookers. In the Ottoman Empire, tulips played an important role during the reign of Sultan Ahmed III (1703-1730), which has been labeled the "Tulip Era"(1718-1730). Anna Pavord's book “The Tulip” helps one understand the significance of the flower. Pavord explains that 300 years before Dutch and British horticultural societies got together to propose the first classified list of tulip names, the florist-in-chief to the sultan's court was heading a council to judge new cultivars of tulip and was giving them fanciful and poetic names. A few examples are: "those that burn the heart," "matchless pearl," "rose of colored glass," "increaser of joy," "big scarlet," "star of felicity," "diamond envy" and "light of the mind." Only the most stunning varieties were entered onto the official tulip list.

I admit that when I am stuck in traffic on the E-5 or TEM highways, I do enjoy looking at the beautiful sculptured landscaping along the roadside. However, I do prefer wild flowers like we have in the US. The other day I received an email from a friend who lives in Walla Walla, Washington. In the autumn, you can see a colorful flourish of natural foliage and wildlife and my friend described a recent spring-like morning saying: “The morning, sun filters through a lovely ornament in my kitchen window sending rainbows across the room. A hawk soars in the blue sky. Blue grape hyacinths and wood hyacinths share their hues. Daffodils lift their golden trumpets. Oregon grape boasts its yellow blossoms. The nectarine tree spreads its peachy arch. My delicate trillium is fading to pink. Geese return north.” Nothing compares to natural beauty and I could not help but wish I was sitting in her kitchen having coffee enjoying the room with a view.

Forgetting tensions and stress, spring makes me sigh with delight!

You may be wondering what springtime is like in Istanbul. Well, the Istanbul Municipality has gone all out this year planting flowers, especially tulips. In its own way, it resurrects the place! According to Tom Brosnahan on his website Turkey Travel Planner, since April 2006 tulips have been planted all around in the city for show and that in 2013, the total was 13 million!

This April is the 9th International Tulip Festival and you can read about it and the related events at the official website: http://www.ibb.gov.tr/en-US/Pages/Haber.aspx?NewsID=837

Don't miss a trip to Emirgan Park or the Istanbul Tulip Cup, an international women's tennis tournament, which will be held at the Göztepe Park and other opportunities to enjoy the spring.

The commercial cultivation of the tulip began in the Ottoman Empire and the promotion of it certainly continues today.

CHARLOTTE MCPHERSON (Cihan/Today's Zaman)



 
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