The beauty of geocaching is its commonality! No matter where you may be, from a babbling brook to a bustling city, a geocache may not be far. In this edition of Geocache of the Week, we venture to Istanbul, Türkiye, to explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets.
With Elmas GrandBazar (GC49DDG), take in the sights, smells, and tastes of Türkiye, all while geocaching!
Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople, lies at an immense crossroads: the junction between Europe and Asia. A historical meeting point of epic proportions, the city was a significant trading site on the Silk Road. Its former history lives on in the interconnected world of the 21st century.
Today, the bazaar is Türkiye’s number one tourist attraction, and for good reason! It includes 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops to explore. To find GC49DDG, you’ll need a great sense of direction, patience, and an appreciation for controlled chaos. To begin, arrive at the bazaar’s main entrance and prepare for an unforgettable experience!
As you enter the massive building, it’s hard not to notice the dazzling creations and the smell of fresh spices for sale. Turkish flags adorn the walls and beckon you to explore the market further. You could spend an entire day combing through each nook and cranny! Although such exploration is enticing, it’s time to find the cache!
Suddenly, you find your way toward a stunning courtyard. The vaulted ceilings give way to beams of light that welcome you outside. With a strong GPS signal, the Geocaching® mobile app tells you you’re only a few paces away. The excitement builds as you read the description with a careful eye.
To aid in your search, the cache owner faidons leaves a tantalizing clue:
“Elmas sewing machines are an important part of the history of Turkish industry… You are welcome to see one piece in the nice shop window. Enjoy!”
But what does a sewing machine have to do with the geocache? Out of the corner of your eye, you spot the elusive sewing machine. Could this be right?
Confidently, you search for the geocache thanks to this unique clue. Suddenly, your hand touches something that feels a bit out of place… Yes, it’s the cache! With a smile, you open the elusive cache and discover a logbook as diverse as the market’s wares! Signatures from all corners of the globe cover the pages in various shades of ink.
Proud of having navigated the complexities of the bazaar, you add your username and replace the cache exactly where you spotted it. With all the hustle and bustle, few passersby even notice your jaunt away from the maze of corridors. Yet, as you place it back, you can’t help but feel that Istanbul really is a crossroads. It’s the junction of excitement, joy, and discovery!
Continue to explore some of the most amazing geocaches around the world. Check out all of the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog. If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, fill out this form.
Source: Geocaching