Date: 19th JulyThere is too much to say about this city. I won’t even bother trying to cram this post with it. One thing for sure is playing the absolute tourists was a great day around the city.
Our Day
Our breakfast view tells it all, today is going to be sunny, splendid and as uncaring as possible.
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Starting with Hagia Sophia, we touching the very heart of what Byzantium/Constantinople/Istanbul has been and is. A 1,500 year old building that served 4 empires including both Christian and Muslim. Walking through the building, I cannot stop notifying number of Christian symbols have been persevered. A reminder of how much Islam has been a religion of tolerance and respect. Much different view than the tarnished image currently cast by a bunch of crazies, hard core clerics and medias.
We wonder around the giant edifice for a good 2 hours. Followed by a short stroll across Sultanamhet square for Turkish coffee and a quick visit on the outside of the blue mosque (t’was prayer time so we couldn’t get inside) followed by the Topkapi palace with visit of the harem and the archeological museum.
Topkapi palace was good although a tad underwhelming for the price you pay (~25euros).
The archeological museum on the other hand is stunning. With a history as rich as the city has, unearthing treasure would not be a difficult. Greek, Egyptian, byzantine, roman sections battle for the most impressive piece.
Wary from this stomping around the gallery of the museum we decide to continue our uber-touristy day with a Hammam deluxe treatment. Both walk in a little uncomfortable, overall we had a great time getting scrubbed. Interestingly what came to our mind was not how great the Turkish sense of hospitality but “How lazy those Sultans/Vizir/Pasha must have been!”
The evening ends with a photo shooting from the Galata bridge and a dinner in Beyoglu. Sitting in the middle of small back alley, we cheer with the crowd to the sound of buskers passing by and singing popular songs. We catch-up with Claudia, a friend of Michael with whom we spend a really pleasant evening around tea and Shisha.
Quote of the day
Guide at the blue mosque: “Islam forbid alcohol but even more on Friday. On Friday, it’s much more forbidden than other days”
What I take away from today
A taste of what I thought of what Istanbul would be. I will come back for sure.
Tomorrow
We are heading for the Anatolian Desert. First semi-arid region we are crossing. To be expected canyons, ferry chimney, troglodyte churches and the official start of Ramadan.
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