KANYON VE KAFE PI

I decided to head to Metro City today as the weather was crap. It's been raining in Istanbul and trying to do anything in the rain is difficult. So I decided to spend the day shopping at Metro City.

After speaking to Seyda, she informed me that the new shopping centre Kanyon was open and it was only a 2 minute walk from Metro City. So I decided to catch a cab to Levent.

The cab driver arrived near Metro City but because we were on the other side of the road he told me he would turn around to drop me in front of Metro City. However we soon realised there was no turn off and hence spent the next 10 minutes entering another suburb and being stuck in major traffic. I was on the edge of strangling the guy as I wanted to get out of the cab. For fucks sake man who wants to be stuck in this traffic when I could have been strolling through the shopping centre. By the time we got to the front door I was ready to throw myself from the cab like no tomorrow.

I entered Kanyon Shopping Center and I must say I was extremely impressed. This is one of the best shopping centers in Istanbul. The design and layout is fantastic. Majority of it is in open air but I think that's what I liked about it.

I strolled around to notice a stage downstairs from the top floor. They were playing tango music and two guys were tangoing together. Don't ask! It's a common thing here. It beats Sydney's Oxford St.

I spent a few hours walking around. Majority of it was spent in D&R Music and Book store. I sat down to read heaps of books and was tempted to buy all sorts of books from cooking to travel. I can seriously spend a whole day in a book shop.

Feeling exhausted and the weather making me feel sleepy I headed to Starbucks. Now I take Starbucks in Sydney for granted. Starbucks in Istanbul is high class. I paid $8 for a cappacino. I don't think in history I've paid that much for a coffee. Mind you it was practically filtered coffee. Starbucks in Turkey is also abit of a man hunt. Single girls stroll through looking for single guys that are willing to spend $8 on a coffee. Basically if his starbucks worthy his boyfriend material.
If they find out you have a passport to go with it well that's a bonus for them.

Having enough of Starbucks I decided to head to the Metro. I was meeting up with Seyda in Taksim for dinner. It was a short stroll to the metro from Kanyon. It was a 5 minute trip on the metro and I had arrived in Taksim. I'm starting to love this metro system. It's fast and convient.

I've started using alot of public transport in Turkey. Those that know me know that I dont step a foot on a train or a bus in Sydney. I've become dependent on my car which takes me every where in Sydney. However now that I am in Turkey I need to use more of Public transport. Not only to save money but also to avoid the Istanbul traffic. It's a nightmare trying to get anywhere in Istanbul.

I arrived in Taksim Square to immediately notice a huge crowd. Thinking they are filming something I rushed over to notice a massive protest. To my right was over 50 cops with shields and guns ready to tackle if the protest got out of hand. On that note I quickly rushed into the nearest CD shop to advoid being caught in the protest.

I spoke to Seyda while I was in the CD shop and agreed to meet her in Besiktas. In fact her words where "If I was you I would get out of there right away". I some how find myself in the middle of dramas.

I walked outside to notice that it started to rain. I had to dive across the road to buy an umbrella from a street guy for $5. I quickly rushed back to the top of Taksim Square to throw myself into a cab to Besiktas. Now it stopped raining!

I arrived in Besiktas to wait for Seyda at Maccas. Once she was in a cab heading my way I started walking up to Kafe Pi. We agreed to meet outside of the Cafe.

This cafe is really trendy with a bar located inside. Plus they have cheap alcohol here. You can get a shot for $3. I know I've seriously developed an alcohol problem again but it helps.

Kafe Pi would definately be my local hang out joint. It's a nice comfortable place to chill out with friends for a drink or a snack. Plus they have a massive wall of wine and we all know how much I love my wine.



Kanyon Website:

http://www.kanyon.com.tr/

Kafe Pi Website:

http://www.kafepi.com/bjk.html