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The eye catcher of Istiklal is the People were literally everywhere. interesting experience to live on your
little red tramway that connects the People were stepping on my shoes, own, because you can admire your
modernity of Taksim with the old bumping into my shoulders without parents for all the free cooking and
past of the city in Şişhane. saying sorry. This was supposed to cleaning that they have done for you.
be just a little preview of local public During the first months, I kept on
In between all the ethniaties, cultures, transportation. I got on Havataș, took track with my home made cooking
languages, nationalities, businesses, the last seat and prayed. Not because really well. I mostly ate just local fresh
refugees, old city and the new city I I was scared, but because I realize vegetables and fruits, which have an
will always remember the contrast how I underestimated the power extraordinary taste here in Turkey.
and the big bridge that cannects of Istanbul. When I finally got out After two months, I slid to Turkish
everything to one another: That is of Havataș in Taksim, my flat mate street food from which I gained 8 kgs.
Istanbul. had been waiting for me fot around Shame on me and my laziness, but
Above and beyond all expectations one hour. Another interesting fact that is another story. If living with a
about Turkish people: they do have Turkish girl taught me anything, it

When I first arrived in Istanbul I was their own time. They are never late; taught me they can be really loud in
full of excitement. I had read a lot you should remember this, especially any time during the day. Also, they
of books, googled too many places when you wait for a teacher in Kultur can start vacuuming at 8 am, while
to explore and talked many hours University. you are asleep. If I would do this in my
to my parents about this upcoming home, my sister would vacuum me.
experience. I knew a lot, but that In Prague, I live in a family house
was not even close to the reality. with 4 other people and 3 dogs. Now, Turkish cuisine is another chapter,
I have already been in Turkey. I I live with only one flat mate. It is an a very pleasant one. You cannot
went on a vacation with my family
to a hotel resort. An extraordinary
accommodation, mouth watering
food and relaxing procedures were
just a little piece of heaven for us. But
of course, that is not real Turkey. But
because I fell in love with Turkish
cuisine and weather, I decided to
choose Istanbul for my Erasmus
Journey.

I arrived on 26th of Janurary at the
Sabiha Gokcen Airport. I had no
clue about how big Istanbul actually
was. My future Turkish flat mate
just told me to take some kind of
bus called Havataș. When I exited
the airport, I just remember people.