Yurdan Carpet

Colour Without Movement; © Ian Poole, Istanbul, 2015.

A visit to Turkey without the purchase of a rug(s) would be a visit that was incomplete – in the eyes of my partner.

So it was that I was innocently sipping a coffee and taking in the sights, and recording a couple of them photographically, when I was accosted by a young guy who wanted to engage me in English. On discovering that I came from Australia, he then mentioned his cousins living in Melbourne. Quite some distance from my hometown of Brisbane.

Colour into Monochrome; © Ian Poole, 2015.

As we chatted about my being a photographer, the topic of his Uncle’s owning of a rug shop came up. Knowing that this was a topic close to Louise’ heart, and being able to check out the shop in her absence, I took advantage of the situation.

No Turkish Delight on this day.

This had all taken place whilst I documented the various street scenes playing out in front of me. Having just walked through the Grand Bazaar and observed the organised chaos that unfolds within its indoor streets, I was quietly sipping my rich thick Turkish coffee and recording the just as interesting but slightly less pushing and shoving on the street in front of me.

And this is how we became acquainted with Yurdan Carpet & Jewellery Co just outside The Grand Bazaar and close to the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. Built in 1616 The Blue Mosque is one of many great pieces of architecture and the Hagia Sophia is now a museum after standing for over 900 years. History and antiquity come very easily in Istanbul.