Gateway to Europe

For eleven months, I had traveled – mostly overland – once across the Asian continent. The biggest culture shock awaited me at the transition to Europe. But Istanbul proved to be a perfect seam for me. As I walked across the Galata Bridge from the more traditional Eminönü waterfront on the second day, I had a fantastic view of the Rüstem Pasha Mosque and the Süleymaniyen Mosque towering above it, with a row of anglers in the foreground. On the other side, the Galata district awaited me, with a distinctly more modern, Western feel. Before continuing on to Romania, I took the opportunity to say goodbye to the wonderful Orient in this way.

Istanbul (Turkey), June 2014