I was walking downhill on this steep street in Istanbul...when I was distracted by the beautiful colours that radiated out of this unique store. I literally felt obliged to go inside and check it out...
Once inside I was quickly enjoying a little chat with what seemed to be the owner of this place and I found out that the colorful things on the shelves weren't shawls nor table clothes, but towels! In fact, they are peshtamals. Peshtamals (or pestamals) are traditional Turkish towels that are used in the Turkish baths (hammams). I learned that these linen towels are so desired, because of their fast-drying qualities.
Aside from these special towels, they also sell shawls and other things.
I browsed around for a while and then added up buying a set of two towels - one for myself and one as a gift for a friend. Now I just have to make an appointment at a hamam... read more