It is party time!!

Getting ready to go rave!!

So. Let's talk about partying. Istanbul is an old city of young people. A lot of people are younger than 30 years old. And there's only one thing in everyone's mind, especially students, PARTYING. 

The view of Bosporus Bridge
 by the moonlight from my university

I was surprised that during the orientation there was an entire session for party. Don't get me wrong but a student organization called ESN presented about all the trips, parties, AND trips with parties.

But it comes at a cost. Istambul is "very very" cosmopolitan . And the part of the city I live in, European edge if Bosporus, it's all for young students like me. People party every day of the week. Sunday through Saturday there's always an excuse to party and you could find someone to party with. Public transportation runs from 5AM till midnight and the taksi covers the gap. They have very good coverage. Taksim is the nightlife part of the city. There are clubs, bars, restaurants of all sorts. Heterosexual, homosexual, Arabic, European, Asian, African, Rock, Reggae, you name it every thing is here. Everyone can a place of their choice easily. 

In a party with new exchange students during welcome week

But, buying alcohol is very expensive. Turkey, being a secular country still hold a majority Muslim population. The government has been slowly making alcohol policy stricter. And there is a very high tariff on alcoholic beverage. But you know you can always party without having to drink any alcohol. It is not advisable anyway. I have been out few times and they have been different experience every time.

Drinking age here is 18 but unlike America it is not very well monitored here. Also, there is no set closing time. Even though we are exchange students from America, we are considered Erasmus students (Erasmus is a European student exchange system). There are various groups that will organize various events for exchange students some of which are free and some require you to pay to be a part of.

Therefore, Istanbul welcomes you well. There is plenty to do during sunlight hours. And there is much more to do between the sunset and the sunrise

Blue Mosque by night!