The Grand Bazaar is probably the most famous bazaar in Istanbul - it is huge with little alleys that it is easy to get lost in it. But the smaller Egyptian Bazaar - Mısır Çarşisi - is not only easier to navigate but somehow has a more laid back feel as well. Located in the Fatih district close to the Galata Bridge with all its restaurants that spans the Golden Horn, this is a 17th century covered market that is better known as the Spice Bazaar. Opened in 1664 it has been to this day the center for spice trade in Istanbul. The scents and fragrances are delicious, there is an endless selection of spices, herbs, dried fruits and vegetables, tea and sweets.
Do you see the little silver and copper pots hanging behind the dried fruit and vegetable in the picture above? This is for Turkish coffee - and my first ticket for Elizabeth's T Tuesday.
My second ticket is this:
And the third ticket is the pots that tea is served in. Aren't they pretty?
But as I mentioned, you can also buy sweet things in the bazaar - funny sweet balls, nuts and dates, and of course Turkish baklava which is not quite as sweet as the baklava that I ate in the Middle East. This was way more agreeable with me and I admit that we bought a good selection of it.
I fell for these cute slippers and I still regret that I didn't buy a pair. At least they're making a colorful picture.
I hope you enjoyed this little tour in the Spice Bazaar. We spent quite some time here, tasting baklava, spices and tea and having some wonderful conversations with the merchants. I hope we can go back one day.
