Istanbul : Four days after the rain came
It has been Four days
It is Saturday afternoon four days after the floods had wreaked havoc across parts of Istanbul , sitting here looking out the window from the north I see those familiar clouds again. Much of the afternoon the menacing clouds and lightning loomed over the Sariyer district which is some 5km from our home. Every hour I began to scan the TV news channels for information and up to date situation. Reports had been circulating around of more flash flooding arriving over the weekend.
[SinglePic not found]By late afternoon I had seen my worst fears reports broadcasting pictures of severe flooding again, only this time it was only 5km from home . It makes you think sometimes how life can be regardless of location or circumstances. I am sitting here at home roof over my head , TV and internet access , cupboards and fridge full up with food yet in a moment of natures aggression my wife and I could lose it all. Has I sit watching the images flash on the TV , I see people with there homes demolished there belongings destroyed everything they have worked for is destroyed in moments.
Myself and my wife pondering the news reports switched our attention to the ferocious display of lightning in the distance across the Bosphorus . Turning out all the lights and for the next twenty minutes we stared in awe at the natural display , the only sound was the rumble of thunder echoing around the hillsides on both sides of the Bosphorus. Throughout Saturday evening it went on in the distance rarely coming close enough to be concerned unlike Tuesday’s event.During the previous days the full scale of this natural disaster emerged , real personal stories of suffering emerged and you got the big picture .
The reason I write about this is because I sympathize and it is a part my on going experience of living in Istanbul. It is fine to write about the sunshine the historical elements of this beautiful city . However there is people living a daily life there not tourists that come and go they are people coping in this awful moment and tomorrow they will have to rebuild there livelihood.
Has for me I am still in awe of my on going experience and moving forward I am going to my first Turkish football match Besiktas versus Manchester United on Tuesday 15th September. I am relishing the evening and stand there with thousands of Turkish fans cheering on Besiktas. Tomorrow is another day and who knows what will happen , what ever it is I am sure it can be written about in the near future.
congrats on this blog in fact every story almost gives you a feel of being there. one day I hope to share my travels across south america .
Totally agree with Nathan I miss Istanbul and know how you feel at times . Returning next year in May look forward to the next story . Louise
nathan look forward to reading your travels and thanks for the congrats .
Louise i am sure May will come round soon .
Istanbul : Four days after the rain came | An Englishman In Istanbul http://ow.ly/ppzQ
Again Brian a great insight into the goings on in Istanbul!!! I totally agree never a dull moment and lots of first time experiences!!!
I am amazed at your grasp of the Turkish Language….how did you learn so quickly or is it just the odd word here and there??
I was just talking to one of my Sisters at the weekend about the customer service in Istanbul, she was amazed…..you know the way they offer cay in every shop you go to, and the way they bend over backwards to serve you….I can tell you now, theres none of that over here and the Turkish people could teach the rest of the nation how to treat perspective customers…….they deserve an award for their hospitality!!!!!:-D
hi mary well because figen is at work all week , when i need to commute i need to know the language , im not fluent but i know enough to get me about around the city . it does help being married to figen. yes Cay im totally addicted was addicted before i moved here but probably even more now because it is everywhere I go. I dont miss england on the whole but i miss my friends and sometimes it is noce to just chat fluently instead of thinking before I say it. anyway today i got my residents permit so no more stuffing my passport in my pockets every time i go out anymore !! i get the feeling u miss istanbul a bit
thanks for the comment.. next up is passion of Besiktas
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