Quiz: How well do you know Turkey?
(1 Kit Kat for you, for every right answer).
#1: What is the capital of Turkey?
#2: What is the national flower of Turkey?
#3: What's the population of Istanbul?
a) 1-3 Million
b) 5-8 Million
c) 12-15 Million
d) 20-25 Million
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Guess what? If somebody were to gave me this quiz last month, I would have scored zero. haha.
Anyway, upon arrival at the Mehmet Arkif Ersoy Park, a middle aged guy trailed me from the entrance to the fountain for a hundred metres, trying to sell me a book about Istanbul. Well, since I came to Istanbul at the spur of the moment (with invitation from 2 lively, cheerful friends), naturally I knew nothing about it. I had every intention to buy the book. Furthermore, the guy had a very unique selling point. He told me, "Ok! You buy this book, I give you postcard, free!" Then he flipped open a stack of postcards, all connected to each other, severed only by a thin perforation line. Wow... pictures of Istanbul flooded my eyes. I couldn't see anything but those glorious pictures! Being fresh and new to the city, I bought the book on the spot. The guy was so happy because I was his first customer. I knew, because his face glowed, and he expressed it verbally! Ahh.. nothing beats brightening a stranger's day!
The next day, I passed by the same place and he tried to sell us the same book! Oh my goodness! I was shocked! I told him, "But I just bought it from you yesterday. And you were so happy I bought it from you too, because I was your first customer!"
The guy replied, "Miss! Do you know how many customers I have every day? I don't remember every face. Come on... buy this book."
Hahaha... I could just smile in response, and began brisk walking. Shaking my head as I sped away.
Oh! Did I mention that the book was pretty costly too? He told me it cost 35, and I assumed it cost 35 Lira. When I proceeded to pay for it, he told me it was in Euros! 35 Euro for a 150 pages book? That's about 90 Lira, which is equivalent to 180 Dirhams or RM 150! Wow! Unbelievable!
Of course, my simple, porous mind couldn't calculate that fast at that particular moment. I was stunned throughout the exchange of money and the book which I wanted so badly, that I paid in a trance. It is as I write this, that I find out how much I paid for the book.
But, I have to admit. The book was pretty informative. It beats having a tour guide anytime, who rattles on without giving an inch of concern whether you're getting what he/she is saying. Whenever we forget some vital information about a certain location, we refer to the book.
For example, when we were lost, we referred to the map in the book, which happened to be in Turkish. So, we just took one look at it, and dismissed it.
When we forgot why we were visiting certain famous tourist locations, we looked it up in the book. There it was. The pictures and the English words! We devoured every single word and digested it from the heart.
The book was also pretty useful too! Especially when we were waiting in line, with about 200 people, queueing up to buy tickets at major site attractions. We flipped diligently through its pages, studied about the places we were going to visit, there and then.
November is a great time to visit Istanbul. It's cold, it's windy and there are leaves falling everywhere. It was sooooo.... romantic, sentimental and nostalgic! Some parts of the park were strikingly beautiful that I unconsciously held my breath in awe. Momentarily, I forgot to breathe. Until I gasped and realize that I had stopped inhaling air. Within seconds, I have been transported to a whole new world.
And so, it is in this state that I travelled throughout Istanbul for four wondrous days. Entranced, enthralled.
Sultan Ahmat Park
Unique Buildings!
Golden Leaves
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Answer:
#1: Ancara
#2: Tulip
#3: C
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