Bağdat Caddesi, the Champs Élysées of Istanbul

Aliens visiting Bağdat Caddesi

Now we have our patio furniture, we often sit on our balcony watching the world go by on our street, especially as the sun goes down. I've heard Bağdat Caddesi referred to the Champs Élysées of Istanbul, and it is thought that it is the beginning of the ancient Silk Road that ran from Byzantium to China. A fascinating thought! Our apartment is next door to a Restaurant called Mid-point, so we think we are somewhere in the middle of this amazing street, that runs for 10 km or so, from Bostancı to Kadiköy.

We are continually enchanted by the happenings here. At the weekend we watched a magician perform in the window of the shop opposite, until we were distracted by a group of aliens passing by. Everything normal then!

I have been making an effort to keep fit, although it is tempting just to sit and watch the beautiful people wandering up and down the street. Apart from my long walks exploring our area, I have been taking the stairs up to our 4^th floor apartment, all 75 of them! We do have a lift, but I only use it when I have really heavy shopping.

I have also discovered an 'alternative gym' under our block. They offer courses using 'power plates – the same machine Madonna uses to keep fit. I went to have a look and they offered me a free introductory lesson. They claim I will lose 10 cm from waist, hips and thighs in only 5 weeks! I just might take them up on it - although I don't really want to look like Madonna, I think she is looking quite scrawny lately.