Turkey-Part 2

Here are more pics from our recent travels to Istanbul. These are taken from 3 main sights from the old city. First up...the Hagia Sophia.

The Hagia Sophia- This is a must-see of Istanbul. It was the largest cathedral in the Christian world from 326 until 1453 when the Muslims took it over and made it into a mosque (adding minarets).
After WWI, Ataturk made it into a museum. It's ginormous...

The central dome is tall enough for the Statue of Liberty to do jumping jacks in it.

It has survived countless earthquakes over the centuries.

This was the view from our restaurant...not too shabby. We could also see the Blue Mosque from there: 

Below is the Basilica Cistern-Underground water pools built by Justinian in the 600s. This place totally reminded me of something out of 'Clash of the Titans' (the good one from the 80s, w/ Harry Hamlin). The water was crystal clear and loaded with carp that were swimming over tiled floors and in between endless pillars. It was surreal. Towards the back we found the famous 'heads of Medusa'.

Placing the columns over the symbols of Greek mythology was thought to symbolize the church's triumph over pagan religions. Personally, I thought that she just looked sad laying there in the water. 

Welches on the Bosphorous...Asia is across the bridge, but we skipped that because we happen to live on that particular continent at the moment.

Mustafa Kemal--the George Washington of modern Turkey. This guy's face was everywhere. Even though he died before WWII started, he is still revered as the father of this nation. If there's a hotel where he stayed, it's now a museum. It is tough to overstate his influence on the shape of Turkey today.

The Topkapi Palace- The seat of the Ottoman Empire up until WWI. This place was so big it took almost an entire afternoon to see it. Behind the kids is the Harem, where the Sultan's court of concubines lived and worked. To call this place ornate is a wild understatement.

                                      



This ceiling of the main bed chamber. I think that's real gold...everything was over-the-top.

The Sultan's chambers...this room overlooked a outdoor pool and had spectacular views of the water. 

Below is a little sitting room for tea w/ friends....

Will the Sultan wonders "what exactly is a harem?"

Lydia is spent. She was enthralled with the gem collection at the palace, but not so impressed with the menagerie of sacred religious relics. We saw Muhammed's footprint, John the Baptist's arm and skull, Joseph's turbin, and even Moses's actual staff. It was enough to make a Martin Luther out of anybody. Lydia said, "I think they just took a stick and said it was his." She's pretty intuitive.

At home w/ the Williams, we enjoyed some Raki a.k.a. 'lion's milk'--the Turkish drink of choice (& Mustafa Kemal's favorite-he died of sorosis of the liver btw). It's clear until you add water & it tastes a little like licorice.

All-in-all, we loved our time in Turkey. Anyone with an opportunity to see this place should jump at it. 

Also, a million thanks to our gracious Olmsted hosts, Dennis, Emily, & baby Paul Williams (OSC 2012). They were super friendly, super helpful, and they even remained friendly after we showed up to their house with lice. : ) I think that wins them some kind of award.
As for Istanbul, it gets an A+ from us.  Next stop...North Africa.

Shalom Y'all, Stew