Bougie Bursa

Bursa was the first official capital of the Ottoman Empire. Seated along the Silk Road(s), it became a major player in the silk industry. Osman Gazi, founder of the empire, is buried here.

Night view of Bursa from the bougie section.

The part of town we stayed in for two nights is quite bougie. The rich part of town. Dinner on our own led us to explore the town with a hotel recommendation, and we ended up at Kafe Pi. Walking down a sweeping set of stairs onto an outdoor patio with couches, palm trees, a bar, and Jay Z music glaring, I knew the hotel guided us into a "foreign experience." Nonetheless, it was quite fun.

Michelle (Chicago Public), me, Clara (Boston Public)

Brent (WI), Pat (MA), and Shauna (MS)

Day 2 in Bursa. What do bougie people do? Go see a puppet show, of course! And shop for silk. That was my afternoon, plus a nap. :)

Me and my roomie, Shauna.

And for dinner? Another outdoor patio with a view. Fancy, like at a wedding. Only, this time, the local bougies came out to join. Because it is Ramazan, observant Muslims have to wait until dusk (or really sun down) to eat.

As we ate our meal, many locals came out all dolled up--many on dates, some out with the girls, some with a large group. It was strange to eat while all others around did not.

Locals waiting for dusk.

They sat.

And waited, and waited.

And waited.

And looked at the crazy foreigners.

Then, a canon of some sort went off, and the eating and drinking frenzy began.

Only in Bougie Bursa.