The highs and lows of Istanbul,

I am blessed with great friends and family. When I visit Istanbul, I am invited to most exclusive clubs and restaurants around the city. Some of these clubs are lined up on the Anatolian side in a cove next to each other with million dollar views of the Princess Islands. One can spend hours just watching the ferries in and out of the piers while sipping a cocktail. It is a pleasure! Each club offer about the same privileges to its members; card playing rooms, bar, extra large swimming pools, luxurious seating around the pool, an elegant restaurant with great food and service. I know! Because I have been to each one several times thanks to my friends. Clubs members are upper class Turks with aristocratic connections to old families or the nouveau riche of Istanbul.

In my book, it is OK to be rich and enjoy a privileged life if you can afford it. I am an American after all.

Today is Sunday and I would like to explore the other coves of Anatolian side. I ready myself with enough sun block lotion and comfortable shoes and I am out by 3 PM. I walk steady and fast towards the sea, I feel a bit lonely, streets are quite and coffee shops are empty! It is a Sunday after all, keep walking.

Finally, I see, some bare footed young men in their bathing trunks who are sitting in front of an apartment building. Few more fast steps bring me to the sign Cadde Bostan Halk Plaji (Cadde Bostan Public Beach) and the smell of grilled meat, mixed with sea breeze hit my face. I take a look behind the bushes before I step onto the beach. OMG! This is a scene one must see! I guess it is safe to swim in the Marmara sea again. People everywhere, families next to each other, some women in burka, some in their sleep wear, some wearing fashionable bathing suits or bikinis. I do not think you could see this anywhere else in the world. I want to scream "JOY TO THE WORLD"

Men outnumber the women. They are in their own world with the pants rolled up by the sea or swimming (I don't want to see what they are wearing:) they are busy having a beach day. I stand at the entrance of the beach area and take long look at the scene.

I say to myself WHY NOT! This is our land, our sea, everyone has a right to enjoy it. I walk into the beach with more determined steps and feel so free and happy! I step over the blankets and cooking utensils to reach the shore.

Children are swimming with their parents, wives are soaking in the water, sun is shining, salads and sandwiches passing around. Families are chasing the ball, some riding a bike or a scooter. Grand pa sleeping under the tree. There are safe guards by the shore.

After all, I am a child of 70's with a hippie spirit! In Istanbul, you find your own cove.