Idalis:
Istanbul was a great city to finish our European leg on. Here were our top ten favorite things in this vibrant city, in no particular order:
1.Aya Sofya – For a thousand years, this was the largest church in the world. The Ottomans converted it into a mosque in 1453, and is now a museum. It is beautiful, especially for its dual representation of both Christianity and Islam. We saw beautiful mosaics of Jesus and Mary, right next to Arabic quotes from the Koran.
2.Blue Mosque – Given its nickname because of the blue impressions created by its tiled walls and dome, Sultan Ahmet mosque is Istanbul's greatest place of worship. Kevin and I took off our shoes, I put on a headscarf, and we went inside to marvel at its grandeur and beauty.
3.Topkapi Palace – Stomping grounds for the Ottoman sultans until the 19th century, it's now a museum. In one day, you can see exhibits of priceless diamonds and porcelain, as well as the Prophet Mohammed's tooth!
4.Street Food – Roasted chestnuts, sesame buns, steamed mussels stuffed with rice, döner kebab right off the spit, and the never-ending stream of men selling hot Turkish tea as they yell, “Çay, çay, çay!”
5.Grand Bazaar – A cacophonous labyrinth of 4500 shops, where you can buy jewelry, hookah pipes, nuts, spices, lanterns, scarves, and a million other things. Don't forget your haggling skills!
6.Religious Harmony – Istanbul is a very tolerant city. Women in head scarves are seen smoking cigarettes, while devout men pray in mosques, and young people meet for drinks. People seem to get along, despite their differences.
7.Reconnecting With Friends – Istanbul seems to be visitors' both first and last destination in Turkey, so Kevin and I were able to meet up with travelers we had met along the way. Thank you Maarten, Anthony, Elena, and Gianluca for such a great time! We wish you all much continued adventure and safe travels!
8.Eminönü – Istanbul's ferry port teams with energy! Boats are constantly coming in and out, people are walking everywhere, and the smell of food instantly makes you hungry! We loved sitting down with our fried fish sandwiches bought from the rocking boat (don't forget to spit out the bones!) and sipping on pickle juice, watching the organized chaos unfold before us. Better than television!
9.Basilica Cistern – I never knew a place that holds water could be so beautiful! Softly lit columns reflected in the water, two statues of Medusa, and humongous swimming carp! Researcher P. Gyllius had heard rumors of people cutting well holes in the ground to fish in this underground area, and eventually rediscovered this forgotten piece of Istanbul's history.
10.Beyoğlu – The heart of modern Istanbul. We loved walking down Istiklal Caddesi, browsing in bookstores, eating cheap food, and stopping for a drink in one of its numerous bars. Cosmopolitan, upbeat, and a great place to people watch!
10 comments:
Istanbul? No Constantinople? No, it's Istanbul! I remember Ms. Portnoy/Treitman singing that song in Junior High. How about you? (Not to mention dad having it on a tape somewhere.) It sounds as if you had a wonderful time there. How wonderful to end your European leg in a marvelous and beautiful place. Can't wait to hear from you on the first stop on the Asian leg! Love and hugs!
Jeremom, as you, the history buff knows, it is both depending upon which time in history you wish to discuss. So much going on in that wonderful city. I do remember Ms. Portnoy/Treitman and Idalis and I were singing that song the whole time we were there! Great minds... Anywho, congrats on being first again. India is not actually our first stop in Asia as 97% of Turkey is on the Asian continent. Nonetheless, India feels much more like Asia and we will tell you all about it in our next post which is bound to be dynamic and explosive to reflect the range of emotions that we have been through since landing here. It is a lot to try and absorb in a little amount of time. More than a holiday, India is very much a lesson in humanity. You will probably read that line again in the official post. We love and miss you and if ever you prayed for us, do it now!!!
yo,yo,yo!
man,I was just reminiscing when I was getting heavy into muay thai,one of my main sparring partners was this dude from Istanbul,great guy. we rather enjoyed kicking each others legs black and blue!Another fascinating place it seems,with fascinating people.Sarah and I are really excited about Brazil in December.I'm looking forward to some tight fitting speedoes for sure!But 1st and foremost on my mind is our hook up,weather in thailand or wherever I don't care as long as we all end up together!!!Anyway hot tub time, gotta go...Peace,love& happiness.
S.K.
Hi guys,
It's absolutely astounding the history lesson that goes along with these blogs. When ReAnne told me you guys had posted another blog I look forward to openning it and being eduacated and expanding my knowledge about the world. Which goes to say, that it doesn't matter what age a person is, one can learn something every day. When Idalis writes about the "Aya Sofa" for instance, who would ever think that Christian and Muslim religions could be housed under one roof with depictions of Jesus and Mary as well as Arabic quotes and the Koran. Wouldn't it be great that in this world we live in today these two religions could be more loving toward each other. The discription of the Blue Mosque sounds so soothing and pleasing to the eye. I have a queation. How were you able to enter the Mosque without being of the Muslim faith?
The Topkapi Palace sounds like a definite place that Sultans would hang out. Golly! if you could only get your hands on one of those diamonds it would probably pay for the rest of your trip. By the way how big was the Prophet Mohammed's tooth?, and what type of tooth, possibly a molar? I'm inquisitive, what can I say. Sounds like the food, as uaual is awsome, and the friends you meet and re-meet if thats a word are really great. Did you take a boat ride at Eminonu?, or just people watch and eat. Now the Basilica Cistern, seeing as your old man is a plumber the cistern really caught my eye, and you are right the picture of it is astounding. Who would have ever believed a cistern could be so astravagent, with columns, statues, and carp. Makes you want to take a swim. Well now, I've bored you with all my queations maybe they will be answered in the next blog entry, but I've got to go now looking forward to hearing from two of the most loved family members in this family be safe and our prayer continue to go with you love Dad.
yo,yo,yo!
senior officials at the white house are reporting barrak obama has not slept since being elected.
when asked, Obama stated, "the last nigga to have a dream got shot"!!!S.K.
Hello Dear Ones...
Don't ever doubt that you are in our prayers daily. Just yesterday Grandma said that now with you in India we need to pray even more!
As Dad said you are both very loved and missed. As the holidays approach, I am having a hard time thinking about Christmas Breakfast without you both. It seems that more than once someone has been missing from the table but never from our hearts and love. So be sure that we will be praying for you, wondering what you are doing and where you are but trusting that God's great love is covering us all.
Please be kind as always and take care of each other...I know I don't have to tell you that but... I AM A MOM!!!
The picture of the cistern is incredible and I love the picture of Idalis.
So for the sake of us who are missing you keep the posts coming and we'll keep reading and commenting.
Jeremy says "Hello!"
Dide and Milo send their "ruv."
I love you:)
Wo,wo,wo, Shawn, we are beside ourselves everytime we receive a comment from you. I hope the whole computer thing is getting easier for you! Keep up the good work. Great joke, by the way. The one about you in speedos, oh and the Obama one was pretty funny too! Been in need of a good laugh lately. Looking forward to meeting you guys. We actually sat down to discuss our itinerary today and will have an update soon. looks like the only part of China that we may be seeing is Tibet, so it will make our arrival to SE Asia, i.e. Thailand, a bit sooner than originally expected. We will try to let you guys know more or less when. Peace, love and tight fitting swimwear!
Inquisitive Pop-a-long, Let me see if I can get you some answers...The Blue Mosque is a fully functioning mosque that is open to the public between the main prayer hours throughout the day. You must remove your shoes and women must cover their heads, but it was the first mosque either of us had ever been inside and a true work of art. It was amazing to see the interior and you could certainly feel the presence of a higher being. The Prophet Muhammed's tooth was behind a glass case and roped off so that you were at least a few feet away. So, it was hard to tell the actual size or even what type of tooth it may have been. They also had small cases containing hairs from his beard that were cut off and distributed upon his death. Also hard to see from a distance. Their is some dispute as to whether these artifacts are even in fact authentic, but as in most religions, belief is contingent entirely upon faith and therefore, the symbolism of an object may be far more important than its historical authenticity. As I feel, it really does not matter so long as you revere God and live a good and honorable life! We did not take a boat ride rom Eminonu, though we originally intended to. Nonetheless, the people watching and street food were well worth the visit! I think that does it and I hope I have addressed all of your questions adequately. I would also like to add that now in India, we have been able to experience a different form of religious cohesion as in most areas, Hindus, Muslims and Christians all live in harmony. This of course does not necessarily apply to the border regions where most of the problems are more political but also fuel religious sectarianism. I agree that it would be great if all of us, humans, could understand that it really does not matter in which form you worship, but rather that God would be most pleased if his creations could show the same love towards each other as he does towards us.
Vagamom, we are definitely in need of prayers, though no need to worry too much, just that traveling in India has now posed some unique challenges. We are also terribly saddened that we will miss Christmas breakfast. However, we will try to have curried biscuits and gravy in honor of our family tradition! We love and miss you and please tell Grandma that she is an angel and we love her dearly!
Oh. My. GOD! I tune out for a month to have a baby with the wife and you two have taken the world by storm!
I am so stoked by all that you have done and seen. It is incredible. You are truely living a life instead of wishing you were. I am so impressed.
I am sorry I ahve not been able to drop a line more often, but promise to do so now that things have slowed down with the new baby. It is 3:42am and I am catching up on all of your adventures. :-)
Speaking of the new little one... check her out! http://picasaweb.google.com/kshaneclose
Probably more pics than you care to see, but at least you can se why I have been too busy to write.
You are always in our prayers and thoughts. Lots of love from the 305! Now back to reading all the posts I missed.
cheers,
Shane Close
Are you in India now? Haven´t heard from you in over a week - proberly you are meditating...?
Anyway, just a quick note to wish you all the best wherever you are.
Take care and get some rice and curry in a hurry...
Brian
Shane Close aka Papa Shane aka Getnosleep, what's going on? So great to hear from you! As soon as I am done updating our Mumbai post, I will jump ovwer and check out baby Close and see if she has possibly gotten any more beautiful or precious. How are things back home? We just checked into our little grass shack on a beach in Goa, India called Arumbol. There is actually surf, though small, and I found an old beaten up board to use. The locals say it will be good with the new moon in a couple of days. I plan on an Indian dawn patrol. Still invested in Surfrider? I somehow doubt it seeing as you have your hands kind of full. Please give Amber and the Baby our best and please keep in touch throughout your sleepless nights. If it actually gets good here, I will try to post some photos on Dade County to make things interesting. Namaste, Kevin
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