Ramazan

It is incredibly interesting to compare the difference between the months of June and July. Ramazan was for the month of July and there were significant changes that I was not use to .

For the month of July, the cafes, restaurants and bars seemed to always be full and I didn't think twice that it could be any different. People would eat and drink on the bus, while walking, and there was constant Çay drinking. It was a fun and festive atmosphere and it seemed like nothing could change. 

However, when July came around things seemed much calmer. On the first week of Ramadan my peers from Turkish class and I went to Ortakoy to grab a beer after class. Not remember that it was Ramadan, we were at first shocked to find the streets so desolate, and so many bars closed. 

It was particularly interesting to see the difference in people eating in restaurants throughout the day, almost like a night and day effect. Of course there was little difference in around Taksim, but even here by republika a fair amount of local eateries were closed more often, or completely empty. 

It was also hard to remember not to eat or drink in public while walking or ridding public transit. I have to admit I slipped up a few times but only once did I have someone give me a not-so-nice look. Over all, it was very interesting to watch the progression of busy restaurant and night life, to a much calmer atmosphere.