Below is a picture of me, back in my Starbucks days, donning the “Mercury Man” out-of-store sampling tank (Version 2.0) The backpack contraption contains a pressurized, thermal container used to sample fresh brewed coffee in crowds and at special events.

Version 1.0 of this backpack was more uncomfortable (lacking proper padding) and the silver tank was clearly visible. Version 2.0 is designed with better padding and a sleeve around the tank that holds branding elements or other artwork.

It is called “Mercury Man” because it is shiny silver like the Mercury-Atlas rocket.

While exploring the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul I came across this gentleman selling ice-cold cherry juice (a delight among the Turkish) from his own backpack dispenser.

He’s simply taken an oversized pitcher and strapped it to his back. (Actually I think his is technically an oversized Ottoman Turkish ewer). Very resourceful.

I couldn’t help feeling a kinship with this guy… although, as you can see, he samples with quite of bit of flair!

The cherry juice was ice cold, sweet, and delicious.

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it’s Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it’s Turkish Delight on a moonlit night

Every gal in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you’ve a date in Constantinople
She’ll be waiting in Istanbul

Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it I can’t say
People just liked it better that way

So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can’t go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That’s nobody’s business but the Turks

Those are the lyrics to the song It’s Istanbul (Not Constantinople) [click to listen] by They Might Be Giants. Unfortunately, the first thing that comes to mind (for many of us) when we hear the word “Istanbul” is this bouncy melody.

So, to fill in some of the gaps They Might Be Giants leaves out I’ve assembled some fact for you… (However I don’t begin to capture the true history of this country).

Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey is located in the eastern part of Europe and the western part of Asia, spanning both continents. (in red below)
Istanbul is located in the western part of Turkey.

Why It Is Istanbul, Not Constantinople

Istanbul has been inhabited for at least 5000 years. In 330, Roman emperor Constantine moved the eastern capital of the Roman Empire to the Greek colony then known as Byzantine.

A first it was called “New Rome” but then changed to Constantinople meaning “City of Constantine.” In 1453 the Ottomans (now known as Turks) captured the city and renamed it İslambol (”the city of Islam). The name İstanbul was in use from the 10th century onwards. It derives its name from the Greek “eis ten polin” which means “in the city.”

In the 1930’s the Turkish Postal Service created a law officially declaring the sole name be Istanbul.

Finally, since They Might Be Giants mention “Turkish Delight” (on a moonlit night), here’s some history about that sweet…

Turkish Delight was invented in 1777 by a confectioner to the imperial court. The chewy sweet candy is flavored with rose water and coated in icing sugar. In Turkish it is called rahat lokum meaning ‘morsel of contentment.’

Amazing Turkish Facts

Did you also know Turkey…

• …introduced tulips to the Dutch.
• …was once known as Asia Minor.
• …provides 70% of the world’s hazelnuts.
• …was where the cherry was first found by the Romans, who planted it throughout the world.
• …has a 650-year old covered shopping mall called the Grand Bazaar consisting of 64 streets, 3,500 shops, 22 entrances, and 25,000 workers.
• …was producing wine as early as 4000 BC.
• …was the first to produce and use coins 2,700 years ago.

Sources:
“Top 10 Istanbul” by DK Eyewitness Travel
“The Best Kept Secret” by Christopher Lawrence

This week Idea Sandbox is reporting from Istanbul, Turkey.

Source: Oberazzi’s Flickr Images]