Pazar in Turkey
What is the meaning of the word “Pazar” in Turkey? It means a place that sells everything from clothes, shoes, fruits, and vegetables at a lower price. The fruits and vegetables are very fresh and the atmosphere of these places is very simple and beautiful.
Experience of going to a pazar
Dana says, “I go to a pazar which is next to my house, and also I like to go to the famous pazars in specific areas of Istanbul like Örtaköy /Kadiköy/Besiktaş. The markets always have a fixed time and the hours usually start from 6 in the morning and end at 7 in the evening. I prefer to go in the morning so that I can buy fresh fruits and vegetables because in the last hours before the pazar ends, the sellers sell them at a lower price. It gets very crowded, but I still love the popular markets very much.
The popular pazar in Palestine and the feeling of nostalgia for my country are what attracted me to the markets in Istanbul. I like to see people there, their nationalities, and the voices of vendors calling for any potential customer. Here in Turkey, the municipality supports the local pazar in every neighborhood. They organize things and when the pazar is finished for the day, they also clean the area.”
Dana concludes, “I hope that the idea of markets would be common in Arab countries as well because they provide and help the people very much. I am from the city of Nablus in Palestine. We have a pazar, but a mini one when compared to those in Istanbul. I think that the idea of pazar benefits students a lot, as they can buy a lot of things from one location at a very lower price. In any popular pazar, you will not only find what you want and only look for it, but you will also find a completely different environment. Do not forget to take a large bag with you if you ever go to one.”
Listen to the interview here
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