The marvel that Turkey is

Istanbul was not a place on my mind to visit when I received the invitation to be part of a group of journalists for a trip to Turkey’s capital. I had mixed feelings about it.

I have had several opportunities to travel to different countries. This excites me but this time round, I panicked. I was not excited. I nearly gave away the opportunity. According to the itinerary, I was supposed to check-in at 1am, and take off at 3am.

Well, I made it to the Airport on time and went through the usual routine of checks, waited, boarded and took-off.

I thought I would catnap on the plane but somehow it did not happen. So I decided to listen to some Turkish Music. Soothing but I did not understand the lyrics.
For the six hours and 40 minutes I played and rewound the songs until we touched base at Istanbul Airport. I hummed the songs through the lounge from where our host took us for lunch.

The warm reception at the lounge, and the taxi driver who dropped us off at the hotel calmed my anxiety. I forgot about language barrier and realised why people fall in love with Turkey.

In Istanbul
Turkey is a developing country which also receives many settlers who are looking for jobs, settlement or business opportunities.

This 92-year- old nation became a republic in 1923 and it encompasses a multitude of Persians, Arabs, Spaniards, Italians, Chinese, and Africans who have lived harmoniously.

Istanbul, the business hub of Turkey is considered one of the fastest growing global metropolitan cities. It hosts the headquarters of many Turkish companies, media outlets accounts for more than a quarter of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The country’s GDP was worth $820.21 billion in 2013-representing 1.32 per cent of the world economy.

Infrastructure
Because of this, the Turkish government is building one of the biggest airports in the world, north of Istanbul. The city of Istanbul sits on two continents, Europe and Asia, and the country has two-airports, one on the European side and the other on the Asian side.

The country’s carrier, Turkish Airlines has grown by leaps and bounds, and the two airports have become too small to handle the demand.

Istanbul is situated on a historical silk road, rail network to Europe and Middle East, and the only sea route between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean have helped foster the populace.

This city has continued to attract many tourists and as of 2015, the number had reached 12 million people. This has also become a cash cow for locals who have turned their apartments into hotels and tourists accommodation facilities.

According to Turkish Airlines’ vice president marketing and sales for South Europe, Kerem Sarp because Turkish Airlines has over the years launched different destinations from 105 routes leading to 265 destinations worldwide this has boosted the tourism numbers.

TURKEY
Religion: Much as Turkey’s 95 per cent population are Muslims with over 2000 mosques spread in Istanbul alone-this nation is too liberal as they embrace even other religious sects like the Christians and Jewish from the Orthodox, Synagogues and Catholic taking the five per cent share with over 400 churches.

Lifestyle: For one person to comfortably survive in Istanbul, afford a decent apartment, meal and party but without owning a vehicle-it would cost about 2000 euros (Shs7.2m) to have decent welfare per month. Those who earn below that much are regarded as poor. However, outside Istanbul one can survive on 500 euros (Shs1.6m).

Night life: Where other cities close business at 6pm, Istanbul is busy all night-restaurants, Night clubs and all happening places are open all night- trains, trams, buses and taxis are available to whisk away those who get tired back to their respective homes, hotels and apartments.
With all this and more- once one discovers Istanbul would always go back for either holiday because of its iconic sites or go back for business because of the booming textile, Carpet and furniture industry which regarded as quality.

Cuisine: The Turkish cuisine is ranked the second after India/Chinese food attracts many visitors to Turkey because of its varieties of food from one region to another. Fish, starters and vegetables all cooked with olive oil and all the food is organic.

Bosphorous strait: One of the most exciting sites about Istanbul is the Bosphorous Strait which runs 31 kilometres from the inland Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea separating European Turkey from Asian Turkey. Many call it the city on two-continents and this attracts many visitors. At the beginning of this year, they have received 12m tourists.

Tulips: In spring, Istanbul City looks colourful because of the tulips flowers blooming spread all grown all around make the city look effervescent –According to our guide Tulips were originally from Istanbul and until few years ago they were commercialized around the world. The tulips remain alive from spring until summer depending on the temperature.