Songs for İstanbul- (Part 1)

As evident as it is from the contents of this blog, Istanbul is a topic that can't be given up on. As my fourth year rolls on in this majestic city, I find more and more reasons to fall in love with its delicate details and enticing existence.

As someone whose psychological makeup is heavily influenced by music, I have always commuted to and fro within this metropolitan giant with music constantly ringing in my ears. The purpose, is to solely enjoy the flow of life in Istanbul with the most befitting melodies to compliment the mood, setting and the overall emotional experience this city provides.

Here's the opening to that list of music, still not numbered to a definite quantity- as the experiences are possibly, limitless.

1. Led Zeppelin- When the Levee Breaks. (1971)

This song,in that dedicated list of music for Istanbul, would be in the top 5.

When the Levee Breaks is the adequate amount of doom and gloom seasoned with Plant's raspy yet coherent vocal flow, that makes for the perfect background noise when you soldier on your way through the streets of old Constantinople in a catastrophic downpour.

"Cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do you no good,

Now, cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do you no good,

When the levee breaks, mama, you got to move."

Rightly so, when it rains, it pours here. As it has been for the past 24 hours. You cant pray for the sky to change its course over this inter-continental kingdom of cats. You will definitely have to move to get wherever it was you were headed to. The song will be your motivation through and through.

When the pouring begins, the air around is a mystery in itself. It transcends into curiosity and takes you along, highly uncertain of what exact mood it wants to project from this delicate dance of droplets.

 You will admire how they fall, elegantly colliding against concrete and cobblestone- A climax of the clouds clashing against one another.

 As the pace of the droplets continues and the orchestration of thunder increases, the fury of Istanbul rain begins to rise. It instills in you a fear; A fear of drowning and soaking wet more than you would if you took a dip inside the Bosphorus. It causes a tempting panic.

Foreheads crease, clouds come closer, and Istanbul roars with it's skies shedding countless tears, as if mourning for it's mistreatment?

*Photos are shot at Eminönü, İstanbul.

**Photos on: ashoomanworks (instagram)