The Kapali Carisi, Grand Bazaar or
Covered Market, call it what you will it is an amazing retail experience.
A labyrinth of 64 shopping streets, 4400 shops, and 25,000
employees. It is said that 500.000 locals and tourists alike shop
here every day, There are 4 fountains, 2 mosques and 22 gates.
The Bazaar started as a small warehouse
at the time of Mehmet the Conqueror. Traders erected roofs over
their stalls until the market covered a vast area. Caravans came
from the corners of the empire bringing great wealth. Eventually it
grew to be the size of a small city and was gated and locked at night.
The array of goods on sale here is
incredible but it is hectic and the touts relentless. The much
smaller Egyptian Spice Bazaar makes for a more relaxing shopping
expedition.
The streets and Hans around
the Bazaars are also worth a visit.
Everyone gets, if not lost then
disorientated in the Bazaar. We never ventured far without
checking the whereabouts of Kalpakcilarbasi Street the main
thoroughfare.
The pennants are in support
of Istanbul's bid for the Olympics. Similar flags were flying
in Toronto when I left to meet my sister in law in Manchester, another
city pinning it's hopes on being awarded the 2008 games. All three
were to loose out in favour of Beijing.
