Grand Bazaar - Again

I’m becoming a local at the Bazaar.

There was an event last week where the Bazaar was open only for American tourists. I was invited to come along, even though the media was not allowed. It was an interesting time since the atmosphere was created for tourists.

Everything Turkish, from the food to dancing. I ate so much delicious things and drank lots of white wine. Still not used to drinking rakı (what the Turks drink). I had cotton candy and felt like I was at a fare. Had candy, ice cream, tons of starters, a kebab and milk.

I went with two co-workers who were from marketing. They were still trying to get ads for the supplement due to come out that weekend. It so felt like being back at my old work. I was introduced to a store-owner who calls himself the bazaar because his family has been there for hundreds of years. Then, we went to drink with the president. When the belly-dancers came out, we ended up coming to the main corridor and got a table right by the stage with all the important store owners and the president. Pictures kept getting taken of our table as alcohol just kept pouring into our glasses.

I am certain that some tabloid has a photo of us or there’s one hanging somewhere at the bazaar.

On Saturday, the supplement came out. Two stories on the front page and my personal story at the second last page. Unfortunately, none of these are available online, so you’ll have to ask me to bring the issue when we go out for a drink to see what I wrote.

I promised all of the storeowners that I would stop by before I leave, which is coming up really soon.

Time flies when you hate your job.