Respect for Veiled Women
The first piece of advice given to strangers in Constantinople is about understanding the local etiquette, especially regarding veiled women. It is always safest for a stranger to ignore veiled women completely. They should not be approached or interacted with. Women who are not veiled, however, are usually not subject to these strict rules and can be treated with ordinary politeness.
Some Armenian women are quite beautiful and dress richly, while Greek women tend to have dark eyes and thin lips, often dressed in fashionable Parisian styles. In certain areas of the city, especially on Grand Rue de Pera, where European traders dominate, veiled women are rarely seen Use of Beads in Turkish Culture.
Life on the Bridge
Vendors and Beggars
The bridge in Constantinople is a bustling place where peddlers sell a wide variety of goods. These vendors call out loudly to attract attention, offering all kinds of items. Meanwhile, beggars sit under the bridge railing, holding out their hands in hopes of receiving baksheesh (a tip or charity).
Religious and Cultural Clothing
The priests of the Mohammedan Church wear white wrappings around their fezzes as a sign of their profession. Persians wear black fezzes, often made of lamb’s wool or astrakhan. Other groups wear different kinds of headwear. Greek people often wear stiff, starched white petticoats, along with embroidered vests and jackets with long sleeves. The dervishes, who follow a particular religious order, wear long black caftans or cloaks that reach to their heels, similar to a Catholic priest’s frock private tour guide sofia.
People of Constantinople
Diverse Passengers on the Bridge
There are many priests on the bridge, and they are second only to the soldiers, who make up almost half of the people crossing. The soldiers and priests seem to move together in large groups, adding to the constant activity.
Traffic and Transport on the Bridge
Carriages, Horses, and Donkeys
On the bridge, you’ll see carriages and horses, some of them quite beautiful, though not quite as luxurious as those seen in St. Petersburg. The mounted officers ride through the crowd at high speeds, showing little concern for the slow-moving pedestrians. Donkey drivers, too, often drive recklessly, not caring if they bump into people, though they are careful to avoid stray dogs that often lie around the bridge. These mangy mongrels can be seen resting on the bridge as they do in other parts of the city.
Peddlers and Goods on the Bridge
Variety of Goods Available
Almost anything can be bought from the peddlers on the bridge, as they are constantly passing back and forth, offering their goods. There are over 75,000 peddlers in Constantinople, and they bring their goods to the bridge, creating a busy market atmosphere. These vendors offer a wide range of items, from everyday necessities to unique trinkets.
