Whirling Dervishes

One of the top things I was determined to see while we were in Istanbul was the Whirling Dervishes perform. I assumed it would be easy to see as it is so famous. We are here in the off season though so many places that normally have it every night (outdoor) are closed. We walked past Alemdar Restaurant the first night we were here, and they gave us pamphlets for an indoor show at 7pm every day (0212-511 98 60). It cost 45TL/adult and then you order a meal and drinks on top of that. It said you needed advanced booking but we just walked in, and it wasn't full. This was the best option we found just asking around at restaurants. 

To be honest, I did not know much about it except that men in white skirts spin around. I guess I was expecting it to be to be a fun folky cultural dance. 

According to the pamphlet, the Melvie sema performance is a worship service, for the followers of Mevlana Jelaladdin Rumi. It has had a profound influence on Turkish culture. The ceremony felt very sacred, solemn and spiritual. I was surprised by how stirring it was for us. 

The staff at Alemdar Restaurant were great and the food was even better. We decided to make a night of it and order the "testi". It is a stew dish that they make over a fire in a clay pottery vase. It arrives on fire and then you get to slice it open with a sword-knife. It's very cool and the best thing we have eaten so far! 

The only thing that took away from it was the put of place, tacky decor in the nice restaurant. Here were plastic Christmas trees on the tables, velvet bows and gold balls on the walls. They also had these garish disco style green and red lights that strongly detracted.