Istanbul, Turkey

Becca and I next to the Bosphorus Strait.

     After dropping off our heavy suitcases, Becca and I were ready to explore our new home-Sultanahmet Square. The cobbled streets curved around in a haphazard pattern, and there were hills around every corner. As we set off up, down, and around, we stumbled across a tiny restaurant emitting a delicious aroma. After satisfying our craving for Turkish flavors, we set off under a gate and through a carefully cultivated garden. 

     Arriving at the other side of the park, we found ourselves within a area thriving with restaurants and shops. We walked for hours, exploring the waterway and chatting with others that were enjoying the day. Returning to our familiar surroundings, we stopped at a bakery with brightly colored delicacies. Perusing the sweets, we made our selections, joking with the charismatic chef. We left the shop satisfied with our decisions, but didn't make it further than a few steps before we were stopped. The enthusiastic chef had chased us down the sidewalk and tugged us back into his restaurant. Plying us with tea and more sweets, he regaled us with stories and questioned us about our lives. He insisted upon showing us around his business and even let us help bake! Many laughs and a few pictures later, we went home amidst promises to return soon. 

Interior of the Hagia Sophia.

The next day we set off bright and early, thanks to Becca and her endless morning energy. (I suppose it evens out when I keep us out until late evening.) First on our list was the Hagia Sophia. This inspiring structure was first built as a cathedral, converted into a mosque, and is now preserved as a museum. The architecture was stunning, and we spent a large part of our morning exploring the intricate details of this museum.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque.

     We turned around and set off for the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, commonly called the Blue Mosque. There were two entrances, one in the front for Muslims coming to pray, and one around back, for visitors coming to appreciate the beauty. We headed around back and were given a plastic bag for our shoes, and Becca was given a  piece of cloth, as her shoulders were not properly covered. 

Chandelier within the Blue Mosque.

     The interior of the mosque was stunning. Called the "Blue Mosque" for its signature blue tiles, the colors were illuminated by an enormous chandelier hung from the ceiling. For as many mosques as we've seen, I never tire of their exquisite elegance. We then decided to explore the famous Grand Bazaar. 

Glass, clay and cement wall.

     On our way to the Bazaar, we passed a fascinating wall. It was made of pottery and glass shards, blended together to form an eye-catching piece of artwork. Plants grew over the top of the wall, forming a striking contrast that I wanted to recreate myself. We wandered around, asking for directions, until we made it to the Bazaar. Walking into the covered market, I was surprised at how organized and new everything looked. Knock-off bags, chintzy souvenirs, and shiny gold jewelry greeted us at every turn. Initially, I was disappointed with the amount of goods offered, everything began to look the same. But then we stepped outside into the uncovered market and found where the locals bargain. There were more streets than we could even begin to explore. Copper pots and pans, plastic beads, and designer perfume lined one row, while turning the corner led to garden seeds, silk scarves, and t-shirts. Pushing through the throngs of people took its toll on our energy level, so we tucked our bargained purchases into our bags, and set off for the hotel. 

     Luckily, Becca and I have a sense of adventure, because our return trip took about four hours. We set off in the wrong direction, trekking through the neighborhoods of Istanbul, in search of Sultanahmet Square. We climbed stone stairs, bonded with children (at least Becca did) and finally ended up back along the Bosphorus. Re-routing ourselves, we made it back to our hotel. 

The interior of Topkapi Palace.

     The next day, we set out for Topkapi Palace. The Ottoman Sultans lived and ruled from these enormous grounds for about four hundred years. There were fantastic examples of Ottoman era architecture, along with wonderfully preserved jewelry, weapons, and artwork. We then decided to return to the Bazaar, but to the area we had missed before- Spice. As we wandered through the aisles of the Spice Bazaar, we were easily distracted by barrels of cardamom, dried apricots, and Turkish delights. Our favorite treat was sesame and honey covered peanuts.  As we walked amidst the calls of "where are you from? Brazil? France?" and "angels, please come back," we decided upon gifts and treats for those at home. Home was no longer a distant thought. However, there were still two days left, and I was ready to explore a new environment.