Taksim is where the party is at!

We ventured out to the Taksim area after being recommended by our hotel.  As we pulled up to a large open area, Taksim Square, full of young, trendy kids, our cab driver said, "Taksim.  Disco.  Dance."  He then proceeded to do a little dance move similar to the "wheelchair."  Nice.

Taksim is hip and lively and the main street of Iskilip (sp? I'm too jetlegged to double check) is full of shopping, food and entertainment.  I was blown away at how many people were out on a school night - comparable to the foot traffic in Times Square. 

Fashion observation: Turkish youth love fitted clothing.  Sure, the women wear tight jeans with fitted sweaters and jackets, but the men as well!  Everyone looks very...svelte.   Their fashion is definitely influenced by the European side, NOT the Asian side.  Guys are very metrosexual, with their faux hawks, shiny puffy jackets, skinny slacks, and polished sneakers not meant for any actual athletic activity.

I've also noticed that everyone is at a similar height.  I would say most of the women are around 5'3", and the men around 5'6". 

Scroll through the pics below of Taksim and you'll find this delicious beef dish we ordered for dinner (all the grease soaked up by the fresh pancake underneath the meat), and my mannequin boyfriend.  I've just never seen a mannequin that was so fierce.

 Our dinner:

So, I just want to point out the roaming cats all over the city.  Apparently, some of them will even come up on your table at a restaurant and try to eat your food.  I find cats creepy as it is, but now they're going to steal my meal, too?!

 This graffiti is EVERYWHERE.  The eyes and the fists.  Any clue as to what it could symbolize?  I'm going to do some research.

XOXO