Grand Bazaar

I was on assignment today:

Spend a whole day at the Grand Bazaar and write two articles; one about the foreigners perspective of the place and the other short pieces on stores from the various sections: leather, carpet, jewelery, antiques, textiles etc.

I finally got a chance to be out of the office! I finally got to be a tourist.

Best part: I was told to be there the whole day, meaning, have breakfast there, lunch and dinner. I of course asked if all of that was going to be expensed.

Then I asked if all my gifts are going to be expensed. The editor said: keep the receipts and we'll talk about it! (I bought way too much).

I arrived at 10:00 a.m. I was looking for a cafe/restaurant where I could have a Turkish breakfast - failed miserably. It was all tourist oriented.

I found the carpet section. A man walked right up to me (they all do this, by the way). "Excuse me, lady, come into my shop, where are you from?"

This man walked right up to me, couldn't get around him. He was good. "Come into my shop, let me show you a nice carpet."

OK - fine. I did.

I told him right away I'm writing an article. Got a lesson on carpets. Wool on wool, silk, wool and cotton - how they are made - how much they cost - colours - weave - imports - how many people work for them - and antique pieces.

He told me that he will give me a great deal on a specially made carpet for me a week before I go back home. I am so tempted. Damn, where are my journalism ethics?

I fell in love with a black and red rug he showed me. It was absolutely stunning. He was telling me how much it is really worth and how much he can give it for me, just because of the article. Again, journalism ethics?

I bargained for the first time and got myself a traditional Turkish coffee set. The coffee cups are in blue and red Ottoman inspired design with a gold rim. The most expensive kind you can get. I knew how much they cost. And I got a great deal.

Then I was told about a precious stone from Anatolya that is white and can be carved into anything. A chess set is supposed to be really expensive. I got the price for one to be below half of what was originally quoted. This was an expensive purchase (well it should have been, but it wasn't!)

I bought way too much. Even some scarves. Yikes.

I had an interesting experience. Going from store to store.

I met an amazing cafe owner who gave me my Turkish coffee and Baklava for free. Then he told me that I should come back to him two days before I go back to Toronto, and he will ship a cake for me, that when I arrive in Toronto, the Baklava will be at my doorsteps. This cafe is originally from Switzerland. Really ritzy. They ship cakes to anywhere in the world. No kidding!

Umm, journalism ethics?

I went to a number of rug shops, was proposed marriage at one point.

My editor called when I was in a rug shop and I told him a man is persuading me to buy a rug and IF he manages it, I am so expensing it. He laughed.

I went to really expensive jewelery and leather shops, where stars and rich people go to purchase items. Beautiful things.

I also went to small shops that have belonged to families for over three generations.

I am really tempted to go back and get a carpet. I keep thinking about that. Except, I am broke. I am officially broke.

I work way too much. I am exhausted.

I edit all day long. There's a new intern now. A gal from Yale, who is supposed to have editing experience. It took her an hour and a half to look at an article.

I ended up staying on Thursday night till 9 p.m. editing. How terrible is that.

I was so happy to be put on this assignment. I was happy to finally see Istanbul. It's been a month. Been here a month and I can honestly say I finally did something touristy.

And I don't know the language. Honest. It is so hard. Maybe because everyone just speaks in English to me that I don't feel the need to learn it.

I'm being asked if I'd want to stay in Istanbul and work for real.
I am thinking about that.
I don't know what to do.