Nurin POV
Grand Bazaar- Fatih,Island
I’m not exactly sure where my feet led me, but I realized I had wandered to the other side of the street—right across from where I had brunch at Mia’s restaurant.
It turned out to be perfect timing, and I was glad I had my Canon EOS 80D DSLR with me. This spot seemed like an ideal place to explore what I like to call my photography skills—if I have any, that is.
I truly admire everything about Turkey; it's a country rich in history. The Grand Bazaar is one of its most iconic landmarks. Construction began in the winter of 1455 and was completed sometime after 1730. According to my research, it was built shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, as part of efforts to boost Istanbul’s economy. This historic masterpiece was dedicated to Sultan Mehmed II, who had a refined taste and a strong passion for trading textiles and jewels—even conducting trade near his palace in Constantinople. The Grand Bazaar is a covered market located within the Walled City of Istanbul, in the district of Fatih. It stretches roughly from west to east, between the Beyazit and Nuruosmaniye mosques.
The Grand Bazaar today is a bustling, vibrant complex. Based on what I’ve seen—and according to my research—the number of tourists and locals who visit daily ranges from 250,000 to 400,000.
It was already 10:00 a.m., and the bazaar had just opened its doors.
I was amazed by the variety of souvenir items on display, and I knew I’d definitely be picking up a few things for my sister and my parents.
As I stepped through the open entrance, a mix of scents immediately welcomed me—the rich aroma of freshly brewed Turkish coffee, the sugary sweetness of Turkish delight, the bold, earthy notes of Turkish spices—but what stood out the most was the calming scent of Turkish black tea that seemed to fill the entire space.
This felt like the perfect place to start my day. The bazaar is enormous; I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to explore it all. I headed to the jewelry section first—my mom loves jewelry, whether it's pricey or not. At each shop, I’d pause and ask the vendors to pose with their items before making a purchase.
But amidst the excitement, I began to feel something unusual. It was the same positive energy I had felt the night before and again at Blum Coffee House. I wasn’t sure if it was just my own excitement or something more, but I didn’t let it bother me. I continued exploring this magical place.
Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was behind me, as if I were being followed. But with the crowd around me, I felt safe enough to keep going.
Ayaz POV
Grand Bazaar- Fatih/ Istanbul
It felt a little eerie that my steps led me here, but among all the strong, mixed fragrances inside the Bazaar, the only scent I could clearly recognize was hers—it was almost addictive. And somehow, that scent brought me to this very spot.
Then I saw it—a familiar scarf. It was the same one the girl at the café was wearing. I had found her. Not wanting to alarm her, I kept my distance. She seemed to love photography; I noticed she was carrying a Canon EOS 80D DSLR.
Her first stop was at a handmade crafts stall that sold jewelry—earrings, rings, and the like. She was taking a picture of the items with the vendor. While she was busy capturing her shot, I was quietly taking pictures of her. She looked beautiful in profile, though I still hadn’t had the chance to see her face clearly.
She moved from one shop to the next, clearly enjoying the experience, though I could tell she was struggling a bit with communication. She was definitely a tourist—not a local.
After wandering through several shops, she made a final stop at a Turkish coffee stall. I guessed she must be a coffee lover. One of the crew members approached her and offered a sample. She accepted the small cup and took a slow sip. I walked closer, hoping to finally get a better look at her, but before I could, she slipped inside the café.
Just then, a group of people recognized me and surrounded me. Many asked for photos, and I couldn’t turn them down—I never disappoint my fans. So I posed for a few pictures.
By the time we were done—over half an hour had passed—I rushed into the café, but she was already gone. I had no idea where she had disappeared to.
I walked away—I just wanted to see her again. I was willing to put in all the effort I could to find her. But if I failed, then maybe we simply weren’t meant to be. I thought I might have a real chance of meeting her if I went straight to the hotel and asked if she was the same girl I kept encountering—the one who dropped those two handkerchiefs I found on the street.
Still, I believe in destiny. If we’re truly meant to meet, no barrier will stand in the way. Every time I try to seek her out, she seems to disappear. And yet, whenever I stop trying, she somehow shows up out of the blue.
So I chose to leave the bazaar. Maybe it’s time to explore again—there might still be corners of this place I haven’t discovered yet.