There are some books which have influenced my understanding of life in Turkey, its history and present, customs and spirit.
Usually I don´t buy the books at the airport, because of lack of time and concentration, but Buket Uzuner´s My name is Istanbul was a temptation I couldn´t resist. I think this is one of the most poetic books I´ve ever read. Short stories, glimpses like a kaleidoscope. Istanbul like bits of colorful glass changing patterns. In this book Istanbul, the mighty and mysterious woman, narrates her story looking back through the centuries. Very elegant and vigorous. Not possible to retell, it´s an impression.
Istanbul is full of special places I haven´t discovered yet. Mysterious places that are not easy to find if you don´t know or recognize the cues. Keeping your valuable cue in your mind you stroll along the streets in search of the secret destination and then you suddenly stumble upon it. Istanbul is welcoming even if it comes to secret places.
Secret places should remain secret, isn´t it? Still, I´d like to share one of my secret places where you can experience Istanbul 3 in 1. You might wonder what kind of place is that … It is the botanical garden of the University of Istanbul (http://www.istanbul.edu.tr/fen/en/botanik-bahcesi.php). Just across the street from Süleymaniye camii.