Turkey!

Wow- so, without a doubt, Istanbul is the most amazing city I've ever visited. Friday was our day of transit. Lufthansa was a great airline, minus both flights being delayed. We met Meg in Istanbul after getting our Visas, stamps and bags. We found a shuttle (which we ended up not paying for) to bring us to our hotel, across the street from the Blue Mosque and the Aya Sofia (and the Mediterranean) in the area called Sultanahmet. That night, we had dinner at a rooftop restaurant (very nice restaurant) with great views of everything. We walked around the area and then went to bed.

Saturday morning, we got up early (well at least I was woken up at 5:30AM by the Imam's (Islamic prayer leaders) announcing prayers (as they do 5 times daily, from loudspeakers on the top of towers called minarets)- so needless to say, aside from the uncomfortable mattress, I got up, showered (at 615ish) and went upstairs to read and enjoy the view- incredible (see photos). We then paid 46 Lira (23 Euros) for a tour that brought us to the Egyptian Spice Market, a bus tour through some important areas- where we got to see the tomb of Barbarosa, the Orient Express train station, Dolmabahçe Palace and then to the marina where we took a 1.5 hour cruise of the Bosporus. It was magnificent- truly spectacular- to be in between Europe and Asia- the most unique place ever. The weather was impeccable and we loved the cruise. After, we did some more bus sites then went to the Grand Bazaar- which is absolutely enormous. They sell tons of knock off bags and wallets- some at authentic prices, and tons of other goods- including these incredibly beautiful hanging lanterns that are hand made with glass pieces (I ended up buying one for 70 Lira, 35 Euros- you only go to Turkey once- right? Well maybe not!)

After the cruise and the Grand Bazaar, we took a taxi (or in Turkish, taksi) to the Aya Sofia (which ended up being down the street- 3 Lira cab fare) to go into the underground Cisterns- which used to hold the water for the city of Constantinople. It was very cool (see pictures). My descriptions are brief because there will be more information with the pictures- they explain themselves a lot as well. After the cisterns, we dropped some things off at the hotel (down the street) and went in to the Blue Mosque- which is by far, the most impressive thing I've ever seen in my entire life. Other than it smelling like a horrible mixture of Moth Balls and Feet (you have to take your shoes off to go inside)- I fell in love. It's so gorgeous. (See pictures and VIDEO! - I'll be trying to post that here later, It's hard to understand with so many pictures, the video makes it more clear- since it's so huge!). It's an active mosque and they pray there 5 times daily (in accordance with the 5 Pillars of Islam). A cool fact about the Blue Mosque is that when the Sultan was building it, he wanted 6 minarets, but the mosque in Mecca (holyland for Muslims) has 6- and he didn't want to rival the holiest place for Muslims, so he built an extra minaret in Mecca (now there are 7) so that he could have 6 in Istanbul. Cool!

After the amazing Blue Mosque, we stopped at a street vendor for a Turkish specialty- Sesame Bagels- So good! Only missing some cream cheese from David's. We enjoyed the snack and then went to see the Aya Sofia- once a church, then converted to mosque after the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453, and now a museum (since 1939- Atatürk). It's over 1400 years old and looks it- it was also nice, but not as impressive as the Blue mosque.

After the Aya Sofia, we went back to the Grand Bazaar for more shopping- great success. We walked back down the hill away from the Golden Horn (an inlet of the Bosporus on the European side) and towards the Mediterranean and Sultanahmet (see a map of Istanbul, you'll get it then) and had dinner at this other great restaurant where I made sure to have plenty of Turkish wine- it was delicious. We were planning on going out to some clubs/bars but we were practically falling asleep at the table- so we went home.

This morning (well, yesterday- since it's 122AM in Paris), we woke up later, around 8- showered and had breakfast (which consists of packaged rolls, nutella, jam and butter) and then walked down to the Topkapi Palace (pronounced- Toe-pkah-pah)- which is on the Mediterranean, Golden Horn and Bosporus (see map- most ideal location ever) - and it was very nice too. The gardens were beautiful with views on the crystal clear water. We took a tour using the headsets of the Sultan's private harem and then had lunch at the restaurant at the Palace. After, we took a cap to Taksim Square (which we thought was on the Asia side, to our disappointment) to find that there was nothing there to see. We went into some building, but left because it was not for us. We took the metro to go find the Galata tower, and in one of the underground tunnels were vendors of Electronics, etc. and oh yeah, Guns. Not cap guns- but we liked to think of them that way to feel better. We took this other metro thing up a huge hill and tried to find the Galata tower, but Starbucks found us instead. We stopped for Starbucks to refuel then continued to find the Galata tower, until it began to POUR- unfortunately for Jess and Meg, they didn't have umbrellas, so the Galata Tower plans were cancelled and we headed back to the hotel to do some shopping in Sultanahmet and get our bags and head to the airport. The flight home was also late, no surprise, since they start checking in 1 hour before takeoff- oh Europeans.

I had a spectacular time and I look forward to the day when I return to Turkey. The Turkish people were so incredibly hospitable. They have the nicest manners, are delighted to talk to you (not to get you to buy anything, just to make you feel welcome). They offer you their specialty Apple Flavored Tea and a candy called Turkish Delight in every store (as a Westerner, my first reaction was, they're trying to drug you! But what every guide book [and guide] says is not to refuse- it's part of their culture. The turks were very warm and most everyone spoke English. We found a few people who didn't and I tried asking them Français Español Italiano and they looked at me like I had 5 heads. We asked other people.

Overall, I had an excellently amazing trip, but I'm glad to be back. This Friday, I'm going with my school to the Ballet, then Saturday morning (EARLY!), Jess and I are going to Vienna for Saturday and Sunday- which I'm very excited for. Then the Friday after that, mom, dad and Brett are coming! Can't wait.

Check back for pictures! I'll post them tomorrow! Love love love.
-jd-