Istanbul!
Greetings from Turkey - Merhaba! Andrew and I were able to leave the kids with Andrew's family near Hamburg and sneak away to Istanbul for 3 nights over Spring Break. Although the capital is Ankara, Istanbul is Turkey's largest city and claims over 13.5 million people!
Of course you can't go to Istanbul and not visit the famous Topkapi Palace, residence to 400 years of Ottoman sultans. The Grand Harem used to hold the sultan's mother, consorts, concubines and their respective children, servants and the invaluable eunuchs who guarded the concubines.
Islam does not allow the portrayal of Allah or prophets so incredibly intricate tile mosaics developed. The "Circumcision Room" was especially ornate.
We visited the impressive Blue Mosque and the Fatih Mosque. No chairs, just carpets and low hanging lights. Everyone takes their shoes off and women must be dressed modestly. We witnessed an attendant giving a lady a skirt to cover her tight leggings. Outside, there's an area for the ritual foot wash. We skipped that bit -- it was 12 degrees!
Several treasures lie under the city such as the Basilica Cistern, built in the 6th century to ensure a water supply to the Great Palace of Constantinople. The albino carp seemed to draw as big a crowd as the towering columns.
There is an impressive 30 meter Egyptian obelisk which Emperor Constantius had made in Egypt to commemorate his 20th anniversary of power. The Obelisk of Theodosius got it's name when Emperor Theodosius transported it to Istanbul.
Of course, the Romans were here too as seen by the Valens aqueduct which was built in the 4th cenury to supply water to the Eastern Roman capital of Constantinople and runs right down the center of town.
Istanbul is also well-known for its crusader history.
Hagia Sophia - First built in 537 as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral, the Hagia Sophia was then converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral and then, when the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople, it was again converted to a mosque and is now a museum. All the beautiful golden mosaics were either removed or plastered over. Luckily some have been rediscovered!
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| Emperors were coronated on this spot! |
Here's Andrew in front of the mighty Bosphorous, separating Europe from Asia. It was strange knowing we were in a country bordering Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Greece, Bulgaria, Iran, Iraq and Syria. Women wearing the full burka with just a mesh eye slit walked down the street past "western" Turks wearing short skirts. It seems to work here although many have told us that as soon as you head out into the country, more traditional dress/conduct codes apply for women. Thankfully, there were no political demonstrations during our trip.
Street Food - roasted chestnuts, shellfish and lemon, and Döner! We had it from different places 3 days in a row. To our surprise, the Döner here doesn't come with Fladenbrot. Each time though, it included soggy fries. Who knew?
Andrew also enjoyed Turkish coffee
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| McDonalds delivers? |
Ishtar Gate of Babylon in Istanbul's Archeology Museum. Other gems included the massive, spectacular Alexander Sarcophagus which depicts Alexander the Great fighting the Persians.
Now as if Andrew were not hyperventilating enough, this museum
also has the very first written international peace treaty.
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| No sneeze guards |
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| Countless varieties ofTurkish Delight |
We checked out the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. So many new scents!
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| No Gideon Bibles in the hotels here... |
Of course you can't go to Istanbul and not visit the famous Topkapi Palace, residence to 400 years of Ottoman sultans. The Grand Harem used to hold the sultan's mother, consorts, concubines and their respective children, servants and the invaluable eunuchs who guarded the concubines.
Islam does not allow the portrayal of Allah or prophets so incredibly intricate tile mosaics developed. The "Circumcision Room" was especially ornate. 
We visited the impressive Blue Mosque and the Fatih Mosque. No chairs, just carpets and low hanging lights. Everyone takes their shoes off and women must be dressed modestly. We witnessed an attendant giving a lady a skirt to cover her tight leggings. Outside, there's an area for the ritual foot wash. We skipped that bit -- it was 12 degrees!
Several treasures lie under the city such as the Basilica Cistern, built in the 6th century to ensure a water supply to the Great Palace of Constantinople. The albino carp seemed to draw as big a crowd as the towering columns.
Of course, the Romans were here too as seen by the Valens aqueduct which was built in the 4th cenury to supply water to the Eastern Roman capital of Constantinople and runs right down the center of town.
Hagia Sophia - First built in 537 as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral, the Hagia Sophia was then converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral and then, when the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople, it was again converted to a mosque and is now a museum. All the beautiful golden mosaics were either removed or plastered over. Luckily some have been rediscovered! 
Here's Andrew in front of the mighty Bosphorous, separating Europe from Asia. It was strange knowing we were in a country bordering Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Greece, Bulgaria, Iran, Iraq and Syria. Women wearing the full burka with just a mesh eye slit walked down the street past "western" Turks wearing short skirts. It seems to work here although many have told us that as soon as you head out into the country, more traditional dress/conduct codes apply for women. Thankfully, there were no political demonstrations during our trip.
Street Food - roasted chestnuts, shellfish and lemon, and Döner! We had it from different places 3 days in a row. To our surprise, the Döner here doesn't come with Fladenbrot. Each time though, it included soggy fries. Who knew? 
Ishtar Gate of Babylon in Istanbul's Archeology Museum. Other gems included the massive, spectacular Alexander Sarcophagus which depicts Alexander the Great fighting the Persians.
Now as if Andrew were not hyperventilating enough, this museum also has the very first written international peace treaty. 
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