A huge land reclamation project is nearing completion. A
section of the Marmara Sea being replaced by a park. I crossed a six-lane
highway for taking a look.
After the highway are a pavement and a sliproad and
then a café. I walked around the back of the café. There were people sitting,
under sunshades, enjoy the view. It comprised a large green area, trees, and
beyond that the sea. I was very confused.
Why? Well, there was empty seats. Yet
at the front of the café, there were lots of people sitting, and who were drinking
tea and looking directly out onto the six-lane highway.
Why is this obsession a
section of Turkish people have with sitting as close to traffic as possible?
It’s the same with having a barbeque. You could always see many families
sitting by the pavement, very close to cars’ exhausts – looking away from the
sea view!
I have always considered the amount of traffic to be a biggest
disadvantage of living in Istanbul, but it seems I am mistaken. It’s not a
problem, it’s actually an entertainment industry!
