This city whose name has always been left behind due to its proximity to Istanbul. With its unique texture and differences, there are too many details that are not mentioned.. I’m talking about Izmit, the background of Istanbul.. I’m in Kocaeli, aka Kocaeli.
It ranks first when it comes to the real sector in Turkey.. When it comes to economy and tax, it is again in the first place after Istanbul…
Gebze district in the west is bordered by Istanbul, 40 minutes from there to Izmit; It is not possible to see an empty land in between.
I step into Izmit on the night of March 15th.. my expectations are not high. Without seeing much in the dark, I take the shuttle from the bus station to the heart of the city, at my friend’s house, right at the bottom of the clock tower.. The weather is as cold as possible. Warming up is a serious problem!
I want to examine the clock tower in the morning in detail, which is home to drunks on a high place with a sea view in the dark. It’s time to sleep. It is not possible to sleep in the cold, but okay; need to rest. The next day, I want to travel the whole of Izmit on my own.
I hit the road after seeing my friend go to work on Friday morning.. 5 minutes away I go to the clock tower. The concept of clock tower is not far from me, I am from Izmir after all.. One of the clock towers that reflect the past in every city with the architecture specific to that city is in Izmit…
The clock tower, which stands out with its fluted columns, was renovated by the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality.. Workers working all over. Sultan II. It was built to symbolize Abdülhamit’s accession to the throne.. Another clock tower erected for the same purpose was in İzmir.
I take a bird’s eye view of the Gulf of Izmit from the side of the clock tower.. The first lights of the morning are sparkling on the sea.. Izmit Bay, once famous for its smell and pollution, has been cleaned with millions of dollars spent.. Just like Izmir. After the clock tower, another similarity emerges in terms of the dirtiness and cleanliness of the bays, not without mentioning the similarity in their names, Izmir and Izmit!
The surplus of military ships does not go unnoticed. As it is known, the highest organs of our naval forces are in Izmit and its surroundings.. Izmit Bay is full of military ships. Across the bay, we can see the districts of Kocaeli, as long as there is no cloud.
I say goodbye to the clock tower and start walking on İnönü Street.. When we say army house, petty officer guesthouse, the institutions of the military are as many as their ships.
People are as conservative as possible.. More unaffected by Istanbul. If there is something different, you may be exposed to strange looks on you.. Although this is valid for many cities of Anatolia! (Let them not declare me an enemy of the country again…)
I coincide with the Friday prayer. Mosques and gardens are jam-packed. Considering what I said mosques, it is useful to mention that several mosques are within walking distance of each other.. In this respect, I get the chance to watch a few mosques during prayer.
The exteriors and gardens of the mosques are very well-maintained. each of them has undergone maintenance and repair in the recent past.
On the walking path, which used to be a railway, where Saraybahçe Municipality and Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality were located; I’m walking right in the main vein of the city.
This walking path was even featured in the main news bulletins with its right and left sycamore trees and its crows terrorizing the public on the trees.. Looks like they missed the crows. I can’t hear the sound of a crow.
Saraybahçe Municipality was renamed Izmit Municipality with the new law.. A municipality that has achieved firsts in the field of electronic museology in Turkey.
The history of the city is conveyed in the giant museum with visual and auditory support with large pedestals and models placed on it.. With the earphones given to everyone who enters the museum, when the person goes in front of the work they want to listen to and presses the button, the sound and images start.
I recommend you to visit this museum.. Located in the middle of Izmit, this museum should set an example for all municipalities…
I come across interesting images while walking on the street.. The municipality has been in court with many different bank branches on the main street.. Communicated in writing that the ATMs of the bank branches, which are located at zero to the curb, should be taken in at least 15 cm.. The ATMs of the bank branches that do not do this in the required time are sealed.
Instead of the seals on the cash machines we saw during my walk, the people’s ATMs were sealed. The writings he wrote on the sealed part amused me a lot.. The sarcastic words targeting the municipality are a complete comedy.. I hope the problem is solved.
I’m breathing in the park in front of Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality. There are children and colorful flowers everywhere.
“It works when it works!” his writings surrounded the municipality. An old uncle comes to me. “Do you see this text?” says. “I say yes. He begins to explain what he has kept in his mouth: “They wrote that it happens when I work. Our house was flooded the next day; We live in such a country “and he finishes his word.
I always take care of the transportation system in every city I go to.. I have a special interest in local transport. The private public bus system, which I never approved, became a monopoly here, together with the minibuses.. There is hardly any city bus.. As it is known, with minibuses, it is far from control.
I am on Fethiye Street, the heart of Izmit is here. Everyone is walking around for shopping. When I say Izmir’s cereal, Istanbul’s bagel, I come across “Pişkin” in Izmit.. I taste it, it’s so delicious. I’m taking two. I recommend it.
Children enter the school, our oath is recited together.
You can also see Istanbul Street over the railway. I walk across the sea shore. Everyone is chasing minibuses and buses, those who go to Istanbul on the one hand and those trying to reach the overseas districts of Izmit on the other hand.
Women trying to tell fortunes with rabbits painted red I reach the sea through. The hydrofoil waiting on the shore is standing on the sea in a layer of oil.
I’m looking at flowers, green fields…
My eye I’m starting to get cold while closing and watching the bay. I need to warm up, I’m on the road again…