Istanbul - Ramadan in the Blue Mosque
Trip Start
Sep 09, 2005
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Trip End
Dec 23, 2005
By the time I finished all my traveling for the day, I got to the hostel in Istanbul around 3:30, 4:00. Dropped my stuff and headed out to see if I could still get in to see the Blue Mosque. It was 10 minutes walking - I could see it, I just couldn't seem to find my way in! So, I stopped to ask a random man for a little assitence. (By the way, if it seems that I'm always talking to guys in Turkey - it's because woman just don't exsist. Supposedly they all work in offices - as secretaries - or are sent away for school - so I was told. In fact, they aren't even allowed in the mosques themselves, other than during Ramadan, which happens to be now. But I just didn't see woman ANY where - atleast not in Goreme - Istanbul, yes. ANYway) I asked for help and was told the Mosque was closed for the call to prayer and closed to the public, non-muslims, for the day. He saw the look of disappointment, and had me running after him to the mosque. And yes, he dressed me in local garments, bribed a security guard, took my shoes, told me what to do - and left me to sit through a call to prayer inside the Blue Mosque. A whole new experiance in stunning surroundings. Great start to Istanbul...
Comments
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:)