Old World meets Contemporary. Istanbul is hot and I'm not talking about the weather. This ancient city is amazingly cosmopolitan and old world at the same time. You see women in burqas (covered head to toe with only their eyes peeking out) to women in headscarves to women in trendy western fashion walking the same streets. On the subject of streets, Google maps are great. But what good are street maps when you're trying to use it in a city that rarely have street signs? Finding an address in Istanbul isn't easy, However, if you embrace the notion that being lost is half the fun then you're off to a great adventure. Our adventure actually began at San Francisco Airport. This bozo fell asleep at the departing gate and missed his flight. He made a huge ruckus by yelling at the top of his lungs at the gate agent, defending that it wasn't his fault. Three police officers came and tried to reason with him for 45 minutes. We were thankful he wasn't on our flight. We see him again at Paris airport; this time with no commotion. My favorite experience is hearing the live call to prayer amplified through loudspeakers from the minarets (towers that adorns the mosques) daily. They sound off 5 times a day beginning at sunrise ending at sunset. The message is always the same - "God is great. Witness there is only one God. Mohammed was his prophet. Come join the prayer, come join the salvation." The most sobering moment was a street protest after the Syrian massacre. The Syrian embassy is around the corner from our apartment. We walk outside and see dozens of police officers in full riot gear - assault rifles and all. We weren't fearful of our own safety but came to a realization that the one thing we share in common with the rest of the world is that we all just want to live in peace. I'm sitting on the steps in the old town's waterfront eating a fresh caught Mackerel sandwich for $2.50. The last call to prayer (before sundown) just sounded through the minarets across the street. At the same moment a nearby storefront is blaring out American pop music. Istanbul. Where Old World meets Contemporary.
The Blue Mosque is the city's largest mosque, appropriately named for it's blue tiles inside
Inside the Blue Mosque. It isn't really all blue as the name implies but instead, a beautiful symphony of blue, green, brown, and red hues. The French described the blue tiles as "The color of the Turks" or "Turquoise"
Row of foot washing stations are outside many of the mosques so men and women can wash their feet before they go inside. The call to prayer is announced five times a day is heard on loudspeakers from the minarets.
The Haiga Sofia. Built in 537 A.D. by Emperor Constantine as a Christian church until the Ottomans took reign in the 1400s and converted it into a mosque. It is now a museum.
Most of the mosaics of Christ and the saints from the Christian period had been destroyed and replaced by geometric designs and calligraphy as seen here. Islamic belief is that worshipping images of people takes away focus from God, which is why they excelled in the art of geometric motifs while the Europeans excelled in art of the human form.
The spice market is in a covered bazaar which sells spices, teas, nuts and dried fruits. Occasionally, you'll find booths selling ceramics or narghiles (hookas).
Topkapi Palace was the home of the Sultans during the Ottoman period (1400s to 1924). Palace includes the Harem, the personal quarters where the family lived.
Istanbul's priciest properties are along the Bosphorus. Istanbul has more billionaires than any other major city after New York, London and Moscow.
This boat sells fresh caught Mackarel sandwiches for 5 Turkish Liras ($2.50)
Underground cisterns built by Byzantines in the 500's AD. Holds 27 million gallons of water. Since it's located on a hill, no pump system is needed to distribute water.
In the cisterns, there are 2 large marble Medusa heads used to hold up columns - one head is set upside down while the other is set sideways, but no one is certain why.
Woman selling peanuts in a public square. Looks like business is a little slow so she's taking a nap.
Istanbul Modern Art Museum - Sculpture in front of the modern art museum, juxtapose with the mosque behind.
Crowded Istiklal Caddesi is a pedestrian only street. It looks like this day and night. The street is lined with stores, eateries, bars and clubs.
Young couple walks Istiklal Caddesi
The Galata Tower is in the background. Built in 500's AD as a watchtower.
Women in burqas