Walking through Istanbul

  Istanbul, Turkey
Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Our first day is complete here in Istanbul. The people have been incredibly kind and are always smiling and willing to help us - although if any of those people happen to own a carpet shop they would also like us to come by their store and visit them.  They are not pushy though, and are not overly disappointed when we decline.

We checked into our hostel at 11:00am and were invited to head up to the terrace.  The terrace was very nice and had about 6 tables on it.  Our hostel provides a free breakfast when you stay there, so we helped ourselves to the traditýonal Turkish breakfast that they had laýd out.  This included hardboiled eggs, black olives, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, and fresh bread with jam and butter.  We took our fill and grabbed a table that overlooks the Marmara Sea.  If we the way we have been treated at our hostel so far is any indication of the rest of our trip - then we are very happy to have come to Turkey.  The workers we have met so far seem to always be in good spirits and are happy to ask about our day and offer tips as to places to visit.  Two workers sat down at the table next to us and began to play backgammon.   They asked if we knew how to play and neither of us do.  We were then invited to join their table as they gave us some play-by-play rules and tips about the game.  By the end, Trevor and were rolling dice for them for good luck and we were invited to join them in a game later that night or the next day if we happened to be around. 


We wandered to the Blue Mosque which can't be missed.

07. Blue Mosque

.   It is huge building that resembles the castle in Aladdin - we did not find a genie though.  This Mosque was created by Sultan Ahmet who wanted to build something even more beautiful and majestic than the Aya Sofia across the street.  We have enjoyed walking around and seeing the people, and I still cannot understand how many of the women - though not all - can bear to wear the long, full-body covering black outfits.  I am wandering with Trevor in a sundress and feel that I need to find A/C as quickly as possible!  When entering the Blue Mosque, we first step through an archway and then into a large open-aired sqaure.

02. Ladies Entering Blue Mosque

.  When we look up, we can see the pillars towering over us.  Tourists can only view inside the Mosque when they are not in prayer.  If we are correct, prayers are every four hours or so and last about a half hour. Around the perimeter of the Mosque, are stone stools and taps coming out of the wall.  This is where men sit to wash their hands and feet before they enter to pray. 


Carefully maneuvering on the cobblestones in our flip-flops, we made our way across a green area with a large fountain and towards the Aya Sofia across the street.  when we looked back, the Blue Mosque was in a nice spot and we stopped to take a photo.  A kind Turkish man stopped us and said he would take a picture of the two of us together.

08. Dana and Trevor at the Blue Mosque

  He was very friendly, and yes, he did own a carpet store nearby.  We played a little bit of frogger as we crossed the street and stood infront of the Aya Sofia.  This is another stunning building. 

05. Aya Sofia Christian Church

  We decided to wait to visit this building until tomorrow as we were still quite tired and were now looking for a bite to eat.  After a lengthy wander through areas unknown, looking for a little place that was out of the touristy way, we ended up back near our hostel where we chose a small restaurant on the side of the street.  All of the restaurants have their menus posted on their sidewalk and the owner or manager standing there inviting you in.  We shared a 'chicken kebap' meal and were quite pleased.  A huge appetizer of bread was brought out immediately - it was probably about the size of both of our heads but was hollow and inflated (I'm sure there is a word for that, but I haven't a clue what it is).  It was warm and delectable. 

We noticed more and more backgammon as we wandered around Istanbul.  One restuarant had a game set out on each of it's tables.  We looked at another restaurant, and saw a table of men sitting down to play. 

12. Games

 
We happened to be going past the Blue Mosque again when the 'spectacular' light show was about to begin.  The lights are only clear and then the occassional blue, but by no means was it overly spectacular.  Not that we were expecting Disneyland's Fantasmic or anything.  Along with the music comes a narrative with different voices portraying different people.  I am somewhat assuming this though as tonight's show was in German.  (They have different languages on different nights).  The lights weren't really a 'show' - but they more or less highlighted various towers - probably matching some interesting detail being told in the German narrative.  Being as we were unable to understand anything ourselves, we tried our very best to translate to each other.  We ended up with a story about a King who was wearing kilt and ended up with very dry skin and was in dire need of some special lotion.  Perhaps we will try to go back on a night when there is English.

Hugs and Love,
Dana and Trevor