What a day!

There are not enough words to describe all the experiences, sound, smells and sights of the last 24 hours.

We arrived in Istanbul in darkness and the most striking thing about is is that there was nothing striking about it.  We might have landed in Chicago ... the drive to the hotel could have been easily mistaken for being on the 401 in Toronto.   The city however is as lively at 9:30 at night as Edmonton is at 4:00 in the afternoon ... traffic is heavy and there are street vendors and people milling through the streets as we pass to our hotel.  We have been 'upgraded' to a 5 star Hilton hotel call the Conrad.  A little too rich for a wannabe hippie and a farm boy from Wetaskiwin.  We miss Stella ... looking at the list for valet services, there in fact some items that we can purchase at home for less than what they want to launder it here.   So we cull out the smaller items from the laundry bag and send the rest to the Valet.  Ouch.


In the morning light, we are clearly in a new and exotic city.  We see people sporting name tags similar to ours with NEON clearly marked.  Turns out there will be 30 of us on the tour.  Our guide, Recep (pronounced Rechep or Rejep), starts to collect his charges and we are off for a day of sightseeing and wallking.  Lots of walking.


We and 28 of our new best friends start at the Hippodrome, where ancient chariot races had been held and where now stands and Egyptian Obelisk.  We are quickly ushered to the Blue Mosque to avoid the crowds from the huge cruise ship that we had seen dock.  Before entering we need to adjust our dress ... shoes off and anyone (man or woman with shoulders or knees showing are handed the appropriate garb to put on over their clothing in respect for the requirements of the Islam religious practice.  All women require their head to be covered.

Recep, our tour guide at the Hippodrome

The Blue Mosque 

The remarkable mozaics inside the Mosque

Vicky in the courtyard of the Blue Mosque

Then through the streets to the Topkapi Palace, with relics of the Sultans ... jewel encrusted thrones, ancient weaponry, a basket of emeralds that looked like a fruitbowl full of grapes.  Some of these items were gifts, yet much was collected as the spoils of war and the result of the rule of the Ottoman Empire.

The Entrance to the Ottoman Parliament of old

Lunch in the most chaotic little restaurant.  It was crazy!!  But the food was delicious, with a hearty choice of vegetarian and meat dishes.   It was served cafeteria style and the chefs bellowed the name of the dish you pointed to as they loaded it onto the plate for you.  Since they were bellering in Turkish, we don't have a clue what we had for lunch, but whatever it was, it was terrific!  As we muster at regular intervals to await stragglers, we are starting to get to know our travelling companions.  Lots of Ozzies and some Canadians too.  Surprizingly, there are some from the U.S.

Pedestrians need to be mindful of the trolleys.

Inside Aya Sofia

A brief visit to Aya Sofia, a Byzantine church that was transformed into a mosque and now stands as a museum.  Many of the icons and frescos have been 'edited' and the calligraphy of the mosque hanging prominently.  The Christian alter had been shifted off centre so as to point east toward Mecca.   Very interesting  for sure!

We walked through the cacophony of the Grand Bazaar and we resisted any shopping as Recep, our guide, suggest that there will be better shopping at cheaper prices later in our trip.

We are dog tired and my feet hurt to my knees, but with a brief rest at the hotel, we will be headed off to dinner with belly dancing entertainment to celebrate our first full day in Turkey!

I will have to add photos later as it is time to head off for dinner.